Our world’s cultural diversity is awe-inspiring. In this corner of the Internet, we’re embracing and exploring the history behind all the unique customs that we see today.
Have you ever considered the origins and meaning behind the celebration of Halloween? How about Labor Day, or Juneteenth? Where exactly did the charming legend of Santa Claus come from, and how did it come to be tied to a Christian holiday? Even for those who observe these holidays, their fascinating historical origins can be obscure, but we’re breaking it all down for you.
Beyond the celebration of holidays, there’s a whole world of cultural history to explore. Dig into culinary history books that share the meaning behind various regional dishes and eating etiquette. Discover the history behind endangered languages that only have a few speakers left. Or learn about the fraught history of the corset, and what the garment meant to the women who wore it.
Curious about cultures beyond your own? We’ve rounded up the best books that open your eyes to other people’s way of life. Including Christian and Jewish history, the Middle East, Native American perspectives, Black history, and more, the best way you can appreciate other cultures is to educate yourself about them.
Voices from the World of Jane Austen will transport you to the turn of the nineteenth century.
Muhammad Ali explores how the legendary boxer transcended the sport through politics, social activism, and his undeniable charm and charisma.
By John Freund
A golden hare, a multi-step pictorial code, and a country on the hunt. What could go wrong?
By Robert Walsh
James Baldwin, Ernest Hemingway, and other writers were investigated for everything from sympathy towards the Cuban Revolution to Communist Party ties.
Screenwriter and journalist Stephen Rebello unpacks the controversies surrounding the iconic film.
Rediscover the icon whose life was as dramatic as her movies.
Discover the ancient art of mapmaking.
By John Tuttle
In the sands of northern Chile are haunting reminders of the country's troubled history.
The speechwriter and top presidential adviser was a driving political force during one of America's most turbulent eras.
Anthony Summers’ book, Goddess, sheds light on this starlet’s short-lived time in the spotlight.
Though a popular children’s author and activist, Mrs. Wilde’s life eventually became one marked by scandal.
The leader of the Civil Rights Movement was 39.
Haldeman’s military science fiction was heavily influenced by his time in combat.
By Joe Haldeman
The iconic African-American actor turns 91 today.
As hate tore the world apart, love brought people together.
By Olivia Mason
What secrets lie hidden on this isolated island?
The woman who sparked the Montgomery bus boycotts was born in Tuskegee.
NASA veteran, Hugh Harris, examines the "Challenger" disaster that occurred on January 28, 1986, and what we’ve learned from it.
By Hugh Harris
There's more than one way to bid farewell.
The groundbreaking work changed scientific study forever.