John L. Burns: Civil War Sharpshooter at Age 69
This week the nation commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. For three days, July 1-3, 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought. When it was over, 50,000 had died. It was the bloodiest battle of the war. One of the men who survived the battle wasn't even...
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Decoration Day, 1868
History intersects at ironic moments that make the past very interesting. Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, is one of those moments. All over the United States on this day, towns hold parades and locals decorate veterans' graves. This stereo image from the Library of Congress depicts the first...
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History Matters: The Can Opener Premium
Innovations and trends that shaped your ancestor's life. In this issue: the can opener.
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A Gold Rush Entrepreneur, In His Own Words Premium
Gold Valley, Cal., March 28, 1862 [to his sister Mary] I spent last summer in Esmeralda, building [and] running a quartz mill for other parties. In the fall I came here into the mountains 12 miles above Downieville for the same purpose, to build a mill and superintend the...
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History of Gas Stations Premium
This year, car buffs might consider a pilgrimage to the corner of Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street in Pittsburgh, where a historic marker commemorates the “First Drive-In Filling Station.” That breakthrough in automotive convenience made history 100 years ago in 1913. Baum Boulevard was then already known...
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12 Shocking Holiday Facts About The “Good Old Days” Premium
Wistful for the better days of yore, when life was simple and people were wholesome? It turns out our ancestors didn't have it that good, as these tales of holidays past can attest.
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History Matters: Wonderful Windmills Premium
Find out the significance of windmills in helping our ancestors populate the West.
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Fluffing Out My Family Tree With Social History
Compared to the sprawling family tree on my mom's side, my dad’s paternal side looks like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It goes back only to my great-grandparents, and has my grandfather and his siblings, and my dad and his sisters. I haven’t found any siblings of...
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Time Capsule: Writing Away the Hours Premium
Travel diaries reveal the experiences of 19th-century ship's passengers.
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