Archive for 2010
Jefferson Then and Now (Pt. 2)
From FDR to Sarah Palin, public figures on all sides of the political spectrum have claimed Thomas Jefferson as their own. But what did Jefferson really stand for?
Jefferson, Then and Now (Pt. 1)
From FDR to Sarah Palin, public figures on all sides of the political spectrum have claimed Thomas Jefferson as their own. But what did Jefferson really stand for?
Scales of Justice: A History of Supreme Court Nominations
How did Supreme Court nomination battles play out in the past? Was the Court always so “supreme?” Help us build our new episode about the history of the Supreme Court!
Independence Daze: A History of July Fourth
In the early days of our nation, July Fourth wasn’t an official holiday at all. In fact, it wasn’t until 1938 that it became a paid day-off. So how did the Fourth become the holiest day on our secular calendar? Historian Pauline Maier offers some answers, and explains how radically the meaning of the Declaration [...]
Teed Off: The Tea Party, Then and Now
The History Guys take a closer look at the Tea Party Movement. They ask whether 2010 really has anything in common with 1773, and what the history of populism suggests about the Tea Party’s future.
The Good Mother: A History of American Motherhood
For most of American history, women were charged with raising productive citizens, but not given full citizen status, themselves. Our Mother’s Day episode explores this enduring paradox.
Paying Up: A History of Taxation
With April 15th just around the corner, BackStory delves into the history of taxes. From the Stamp Act of 1765 to the Tea Party Movement of 2010, how have our attitudes about taxation changed over time?
Climate Control: A History of Heating & Cooling
What was life like before the era of the thermostat? And how did America become the “land of comfort?”
Love Me Did: A History of Courtship
With Valentine’s Day coming down the pike, BackStory is delving into the history of courtship. From “bundling” to the back-seat, the History Guys explore three centuries of pre-marital intimacy.
