Stuff YOU Should Know
November 2nd is Election Day Next Tuesday, November 2, 2021 is Election Day in the United States. There are many political races happening in local communities in every state of the nation. There will be elections for community school boards, city councils, mayors, local sheriffs, and more. At the state level, there may be races […]
AAPI History Required in Illinois Schools
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population represents less than six percent of the total U.S. population. But there is more effort being made to better teach this group’s importance in the history of the United States. The state of Illinois has taken steps to require more study of Asian American history as part […]
Witch Hysteria and Modern Movements for Justice
There is a history of witch hunts that terrorized early modern societies, but those persecuted by these events are often misremembered or forgotten. How did these societies become inflicted with hysteria and what has been done to correct the historical record and obtain justice for the falsely accused? A Brief History of Witch Hunts In […]
YOU DECIDE: Civilian Space Travel
In September 2021, four people–a CEO, a physician assistant, an aerospace data engineer, and a pilot/geoscientist–became the first all-civilian crew to orbit Earth on a mission called Inspiration4. On October 14, 2021, actor William Shatner experienced his own eleven-minute journey to the edge of space courtesy of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin aerospace company. Space travel, […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
The Teal Pumpkin Project One out of every thirteen American children lives with a food allergy. So, Halloween is not a simple night of free candy for them. That’s where the Teal Pumpkin Project comes in. This movement began in 2012 in Tennessee and has now expanded to all fifty states. It encourages households to […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Coral Reefs Show Damage From Climate Change Coral reefs are important for many reasons. They support about one-fourth of all fish species on Earth. They also help protect and shield coastlines from storms. But coral reefs are dying off at an alarming rate. The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network recently published a report analyzing data […]
Hispanic Heritage Month: Jovita Idar
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor and celebrate the cultures, contributions, and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This week btw takes a closer look at the life of Jovita Idar: a teacher, nurse, journalist, activist, and suffragist. Early Years Jovita Idar was born in 1885 in Laredo, Texas, which is located on […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Trapped Canadian Coal Miners Climb to Safety On September 26, 2021, 39 Canadian coal miners were trapped deep underground in a northern Ontario mine. The elevator system failed when a heavy scoop bucket crashed into it. The miners immediately sought shelter in “refuge stations” inside the mine. These stations provided a store of water and […]
Hispanic Heritage Month: Latina American Writers
September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. One good way to honor Hispanic Heritage Month is to read a book by a Latino American author. This week, btw focuses on several popular Latina American […]
Hispanic Heritage Month: Sylvia Mendez
September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor and recognize the history, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This week btw takes a closer look at the life and legacy of Sylvia Mendez, a fighter for civil rights and a leader of school desegregation. A Lesser-Known Story You […]