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Posted by: Amber Paranick
Alice Guy-Blaché is a name you likely have never heard. She was a pioneer of the French and American film industries during the silent era and the first woman to have a career as a director, yet her work and career have largely been overlooked throughout history. She was among the very first to use …
Posted in: Biography, Digitized Newspapers, Newspapers, Women's History
Posted by: Malea Walker
The ski slopes are busy and the Winter Olympics are just over the horizon. Soon men and women from all over the world will compete in a variety of skiing events including alpine skiing and ski jumping. The U.S. won its first medals for skiing at the Olympics in 1948. Did you know that the …
Posted in: Digitized Newspapers, Sports, Women's History
Posted by: Thomas Beheler
There are few couples who have made headlines in quite the same way as Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The two criminals are known for a series of bank robberies, murders, and kidnappings that took place between 1932 and 1934, the height of the Great Depression. Their romance has also been the inspiration for films, songs, and even a musical. Even during their lives they were the subject of fascination, and tens of thousands reportedly viewed their bodies as they lay at separate funeral homes.
Posted in: Biography, Crime, Digitized Newspapers, Newspapers
Posted by: Malea Walker
Do you know how to bring yourself good luck in the New Year? From saying "rabbits" to walking backwards up stairs, these tips from our historic newspapers will tell you what to do, what to say, what to eat, and even what to wear to bring yourself good fortune in the New Year.
Posted in: Digitized Newspapers, Holidays
Posted by: Heather Thomas
Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Sheng Dan Kuai Le, ¡Feliz Navidad! Christmas celebrations take place around the world and can vary greatly from country to country with traditions that reflect differing cultural history and national customs. Test your knowledge and learn more about how this holiday is celebrated around the globe!
Posted in: Digitized Newspapers, Holidays, Newspapers, Trivia
Posted by: Malea Walker
The following is a guest post by Arlene Balkansky. Arlene recently retired from being a librarian in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room, and was a regular writer for Headlines and Heroes. The late 19th century was a time of great change and difficulty for Native Americans navigating challenges to their livelihoods and culture as …
Posted in: Crime, Digitized Newspapers, Journalism, Native American History
Posted by: Heather Thomas
Thanksgiving has long been celebrated at the White House, but in addition to giving thanks, the presidency has a long history with the holiday.
Posted in: Digitized Newspapers, Holidays, Newspapers, U.S. Presidents
Posted by: Malea Walker
Is there anything more satisfying than sitting down with a good cup of coffee or tea and working your way through the Sunday crossword puzzle? Or perhaps you carry a book of puzzles with you when you travel, or even have a crossword puzzle app on your phone. If you enjoy a good crossword puzzle, …
Posted in: Digitized Newspapers, Free Puzzles
Posted by: Heather Thomas
Carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, and wearing scary costumes are some of the time-honored traditions of Halloween. Yet, the Halloween holiday has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced "SAH-win"), a pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor saints. Soon after, All Saints Day came to incorporate some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before All Saints Day was known as All Hallows Eve, and later, Halloween. Here is a look at the origins of some of the classic Halloween traditions we know today.
Posted in: Digitized Newspapers, Halloween, Holidays, Newspapers