Remembering 9/11
On September 11, 2001, millions of Americans were going about their business on a regular Tuesday. That morning fourteen members of the terrorist group al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets. The terrorists deliberately crashed two of the planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City causing the buildings to collapse. […]
Women’s History Month: Nellie Bly
In the late 1800s, women reporters were rare. Even if a newspaper had a female reporter on staff, she would often be given assignments labeled “women’s interests”–such as fashion, gardening, or social events. Nellie Bly was not such a woman. She was fearless in her reporting and pushed to write impactful stories. Bly’s innovative investigative […]
Former President Trump Charged with Felonies
On March 30, 2023, former president Donald Trump was charged with falsifying business records at his private company. Falsifying business records includes entering inaccurate information on a business document for one’s own benefit. It is illegal under New York state law. The records in question are related to money Trump sent to his personal lawyer, […]
Women’s History Month: Remembering Judy Heumann
Women’s History Month is celebrated every March in the United States. This is a time to honor and celebrate women’s contributions to American history. This week btw takes a closer look at the life and contributions of Judy Heumann, a leading disability rights activist. Heumann died on March 4, 2023, at the age of 75. […]
Lunar New Year Begins
Happy New Year! Lunar New Year–also known as the Spring Festival–began on January 22, 2023. The Lunar New Year represents renewal, as well as the transition from winter to spring, and is important in many Asian cultures and communities. Here, btw takes a closer look at the origins, significance, and traditions surrounding this holiday, as […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
The Day of 8 Billion On November 15, 2022, the world reached a milestone: the global population officially surpassed eight billion people. In honor of this event, the United Nations celebrated November 15 as the “Day of Eight Billion.” But is this a good thing or a bad thing? According to the United Nations, population […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Sojourner Truth’s Legal Petition In 1828, Isabella Van Wagenen walked into a courthouse in Kingston, New York, to petition a white man to release her nine-year-old son, Peter, from illegal enslavement in Alabama. Peter was released from enslavement on March 15, 1828. It is believed that this case was the first time that an African […]
New York City Swears in New Mayor
On December 31, 2021, Eric Adams, New York City’s new mayor took his oath of office. Aside from being only the city’s second African American mayor, Adams differs from his predecessors in many ways. Here, btw takes a closer look at this unusual leader. Who is Mayor Adams? Eric Adams is 61 years old. He […]
Hispanic Heritage Month: Frank Torres
September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States: a time to recognize and celebrate the cultures, contributions, and achievements of the nation’s Hispanic and Latino communities. This week, btw presents Frank Torres, who fought to increase the number of Latinos in the legal profession and to make sure that Hispanic […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
AirBnB Provides Housing for Afghan Refugees Tens of thousands of refugees are fleeing Afghanistan for other countries, including the United States. Airbnb, an American rental company, is helping address this emergency by providing free housing for 20,000 refugees. The refugees will be housed (temporarily) in the same properties you would find if you were searching […]