Women’s History Month: The American Quarter Program
Have you ever noticed that most of the people who appear on American money are men? The American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program hopes to change that. Beginning this year and running through 2025, the United States Mint will be issuing five quarters per year that feature women on the “tails” side of the coin. The […]
Women’s History Month: Sidney Robertson Cowell
In honor of Women’s History Month, btw is highlighting the achievements and contributions of women who are less often acknowledged. This week btw takes a closer look at Sidney Robertson Cowell, an important ethnographer (someone who studies people and cultures) and folk music collector. She was instrumental in gathering and preserving folk music in California […]
Women’s History Month: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
On February 25, 2022, President Joe Biden announced that he was nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who is retiring. If the nomination is approved by the Senate, Judge Brown Jackson will be the first African American woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. Who […]
Russia Invades Ukraine
Recent headlines and news feeds have been dominated by stories about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an independent democratic nation of 44 million people. What caused Russia to invade its neighbor? What is Russian president Vladimir Putin’s goal? How will the rest of the world respond? Here, btw takes a closer look at this volatile […]
Black History Month: Tulsa, Oklahoma and Black Wall Street
The Tulsa Race Massacre took place just over a hundred years ago. Hundreds of African Americans died, and an entire Oklahoma neighborhood was destroyed. Today, that same neighborhood faces another challenge to its success. Here, btw takes a closer look at the development–and redevelopment–of this historic neighborhood over time and the challenges it continues to […]
Black History Month: Remembering Sidney Poitier
Iconic actor Sidney Poitier passed away on January 6, 2022, at the age of 94. Poitier broke down barriers for actors of color by playing roles that, for the first time, didn’t demean or diminish people of color. Instead, Poitier played leading roles, portraying characters who were strong and brave and dignified. He was also […]
Black History Month: Harry T. Moore
When you think about leaders of the civil rights movement, the first names that come to mind may be Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, or John Lewis. But they didn’t fight that fight alone. This week, btw takes a look at another civil rights leader whose contributions are just as important. […]
Black History Month: Imani Perry’s “South to America”
During the racial and social protests of the past two years, many Americans have tried to learn more about the complicated social, racial, and economic systems that have shaped our nation’s history and present. A new book by Imani Perry examines the history of southern culture and history in the United States. It is called […]
A History of the “Old Farmers Almanac”
Grab your coat, and get your hat! With winter approaching in North America, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a cold and long winter. Have you heard of The Old Farmer’s Almanac? This week btw will examine the history of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, and why it serves as a reliable reference for weather. The Almanac’s […]
First Native American Nominated to National Parks Service
The National Park Service was formed more than a century ago by President Woodrow Wilson. It protected the thirty-five national parks and monuments that existed at that time in 1916. Today, the National Parks Service oversees more than four hundred locations totaling 85 million acres in all fifty states. Now, for the first time, President […]