Learning About Presidents Day
Each year on the third Monday in February, the United States celebrates Presidents’ Day. This holiday’s history began in 1885. That’s when Congress established February 22 as a day off for all federal government workers to honor George Washington’s birthday. The Holiday’s History This was the first federal holiday created to honor an individual’s birth […]
Remembering Aboriginal Leader Lowitja O’Donoghue
Lowitja O’Donoghue, a prominent figure in Australian history and Australia’s Aborigine community, passed away February 4, 2024, at age 91. Throughout her life, she was deeply committed to advocating for the health and rights of Aborigines. The Aborigines are the indigenous, or native, people of Australia. They have a rich cultural history dating back tens […]
Record HBCU Donation Made to Spelman College
A $100 million donation was made to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 18, 2024. It is the largest financial donation given to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The bulk of the record donation, $75 million, is to be used for scholarship endowments. The remaining $25 million will fund programs for public […]
Layoffs in the Tech Industry
In 2023, more than 260,000 jobs in the United States were lost in the technology industry. During the first four weeks of 2024, nearly 100 technology companies laid off about 25,000 employees combined. This included workers from Google, Amazon, TikTok, and Microsoft. Why are employees being let go in an industry that continues to innovate? […]
Image May Solve Amelia Earhart Mystery
In 1937 Amelia Earhart attempted to become the first woman to pilot a plane around the world. Unfortunately, Earhart’s plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean about 1,650 miles (2,650 km) southwest of Hawaii. What happened to Earhart, her navigator Fred Noonan, and the Lockheed 10-E Electra airplane is a mystery. An ocean researcher, however, believes […]
Motel Renovation Highlights Role of A.G. Gaston in the Civil Rights Movement
The renovation of an important building in the American civil rights movement is nearly complete. The A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham, Alabama is now a part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. The motel served as a safe place for African American travelers who were discriminated against in the American South during the 1950s […]
French Farmers Halt Protests After Government Promises Changes
French farmers had been protesting for weeks to bring about reforms in the agricultural industry. They finally received several promises of change from the government on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced plans to help the farmers and meet their demands. This led to the French farmers’ unions calling for an end […]
Black History Month: The Musical Legacy of Florence Price
In 1933 Florence Price made history. Her symphony was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. For an African American female composer, this was a first. While Price gained some fame from the accomplishment, her career in music was impacted by racism and sexism. The significant contributions of women and of African Americans in classical music […]
The New FAFSA: Faster to Complete But Frustrating Delays
Are you a high school senior who plans to attend college or career school after you graduate? Or maybe you have a sibling, relative, or friend who attends or is planning to attend college next school year? If so, you may have heard about the changes to Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. […]
A New King and Queen for Denmark
On January 14, 2024, Frederik X and his wife, Mary, became the new king and queen of Denmark. This happened after Frederik’s mother, Queen Margrethe II, abdicated, or stepped down, from the throne. Royalty in Denmark Denmark’s monarchy traces its beginnings to the 900s C.E., making it the oldest monarchy in Europe. Today, Denmark is […]