Truth About Twine Balls Hard to Unravel
Some Americans have a lot of pride and competitiveness wrapped up in balls of string. Hence, there are several large balls of twine in the United States that each lay claim to the title “World’s Largest.” That might seem like an easy debate to settle: just measure each ball and declare a winner, right? But […]
While Shocking by Today’s Standards, America’s First Public Mental Hospital Was a Step Forward
Last month marked 241 years since America’s first public mental hospital opened in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Public Hospital for Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds took in its first patient on Oct. 12, 1773, at a time when the colonies still belonged to England. Treatment at the hospital could be brutal. One procedure called for dunking patients in […]
The American Town That Literally Lives in the Past
America’s past is revisited every day in a small town that was once the capital of Virginia, Britain’s largest, richest and most heavily populated outpost in the New World. One of the first things you notice about Colonial Williamsburg is how picture-perfect it appears. The streets are tidy and the Georgian-inspired historic buildings are charming […]
How the Statue of Liberty Almost Ended Up in Egypt
Instead of imploring the world to “give me your tired, your poor”, the Statue of Liberty’s welcoming message might well have been “as-salamu alaykum”, the Arabic greeting used by Muslims around the world. MORE ABOUT AMERICA Wild West Ghost Town Emerges from Watery Grave What Happens When Americans Tweet What They Eat Why Small US […]
America’s Favorite Restaurant Serves Up Frog Sticks and Fish Eyes
When U.S. politicians want to get a feel for the pulse of the country, they’ll often drop in at the nearest diner, a uniquely American institution that has been part of the nation’s cultural landscape for more than a century. “There’s something about the imagery of the diner, the way it grabs you from the […]
Get ‘Disturbingly Informed’ at Museum of Medical Monstrosities
MORE ABOUT AMERICA Wild West Ghost Town Emerges from Watery Grave What Happens When Americans Tweet What They Eat Why Small US Towns Embrace Their Weirdness The city of Philadelphia, in the East Coast state of Pennsylvania, has a storied history. From 1790 to 1800, the city served as the temporary capital of the United […]
Trekking Along the Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail
If the idea of standing on top of a mammoth pile of nuclear waste sounds appealing, then Weldon, Missouri, is the place for you. The waste lies beneath a structure that resembles an enormous ancient burial tomb. There’s even a platform at the top of the 7-story-high mound where visitors can take in the view. […]
New Orleans: Where the Good Times Still Roll
NEW ORLEANS — Let’s dispense with the obvious right up front: Most people know that New Orleans is one of America’s most fascinating cities. It has a long and storied history, unique architecture, terrific food, great music and a free-wheeling, let-the-good-times-roll attitude that’s unmatched anywhere in the U.S. – some say anywhere, period. I’m certainly […]