Celebrate Constitution Week
On September 17, the United States celebrates an important anniversary. On that date in 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention added their signature to a document that would become the “supreme law of the land”—the U.S. Constitution. James Wilson, a delegate from Philadelphia, proudly stated that “it is the best form of government which has ever […]
The History of Beach Vacations
Vacations haven’t always been a day at the beach. The beach is a common destination for many vacationers today. But going to the beach hasn’t always meant fun in the sun. For much of history, the beach was considered a wilderness full of hazards–such as mythological creatures, shipwrecks, menacing pirates, and threatening storms. The origins […]
Living History
Have you ever heard the expression, “May you live in interesting times”? No one knows for sure the origin of the quote, but it certainly applies today. So far, 2020 has been marked by catastrophic wildfires and weather events, murder hornets, and of course, the coronavirus pandemic. Do you ever stop to think about how […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Manafort Faces Trial In March, Election Central brought you a look at the arrest of Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, on a wide range of charges (18 counts in all) ranging from conspiracy to money laundering, to tax fraud. Now, btw takes a look at new developments as this case finally comes before a […]
YOU DECIDE: Should Video Games Be Used to Teach History?
It’s no surprise that teenagers like video games. But can they actually use gaming to learn? One gaming company, Ubisoft, has long used historical backdrops for its Assassin’s Creed series. Now, however, they’ve taken the link between gaming and history a step further. Assassin’s Creed: Origins is set in Ptolemaic Egypt. When played in “Discovery […]
Female Soldiers Make History in the United States
In 2013, President Obama ordered the U.S. military to open all combat positions to women as well as men. Now, four years later, a group of 18 female soldiers has made history by graduating last Friday from United States Army infantry training. The Quest for Equality The move toward gender equality in the military began […]
Memorial Day
For many of us, Memorial Day signals the unofficial start of summer. However, there is more to this holiday than swimming pools, picnics, and backyard barbeques. Here, btw takes a look at how Memorial Day began and why it is still significant today. What Is It? Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for military […]
Pranks a Lot!
Have you ever pulled off a really good practical joke or totally fallen for a flat-out hoax? What is it about a prank that is so satisfying to the prankster and catches the prankee off guard nearly every time? With a designated day marked for such shenanigans you’d think we’d be less gullible and more […]
A Look at Magnificent Libraries
Going back to their earliest days–2600 B.C.E.–libraries have been many things to many people. For some, they are institutions of learning and a place to acquire knowledge. For others, they are sanctuaries, safe havens, community gathering spaces or architectural marvels. Even today, in an age where the printed word is challenged by digital content, libraries […]