By Emily Sullivan, Historian This Memorial Day, we’re taking time to reflect on the history of this national holiday. Unlike other countries, whose national days of remembrance for military causalities commemorate a specific battle or the formal end of a …
By Scott Vierick, Historian From 1861 to 1865, Union and Confederate armies battled for control of the town of Harpers Ferry in present-day West Virginia. Although best known as the site of John Brown’s attempted war against slavery, the town’s …
By Mimi Eisen, Historian In 1931, veterinarians reported a new respiratory infection with a particularly high mortality rate—40 to 90 percent—in domesticated chickens in North Dakota. Diseases caused by similar pathogens would be documented in mice and pigs in the …
By Colleen Kim, Historian Over the past weeks, takeout has been the only way most Americans can enjoy restaurant food and support businesses hit hard by shutdowns. But even before the coronavirus outbreak, food delivery apps were growing rapidly as …
The COVID-19 public health emergency has underscored the importance of digital research. While many federal, state, and local archives and record collections remain closed, our historians have continued to work with legal clients to ensure that their time-sensitive investigations continue …
By Emily Sullivan, Historian Have you been trying to tackle spring cleaning while staying home? Maybe you’ve uncovered some forgotten treasures in the attic and basement and are wondering “Hey, are my old Star Wars toys worth anything?” The answer …
