History

August 26, 2022

Mattel Creates Barbie Doll to Honor Madam C.J. Walker, the First Self-Made Woman Millionaire

Madam C.J. Walker was a pioneer in many ways. She was America’s first documented self-made woman millionaire, cultivated the industry of modern Black haircare and cosmetics, and created the role of the 20th-century businesswoman. So, it's only fitting that Mattel added Walker to their Inspiring Women series alongside others like Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Keller, and Jane Goodall. Walker was born in 1867 as Sarah Breedlove on the plantation where her parents were formerly enslaved.

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July 10, 2022

8 Facts About Emily Dickinson, the Enigmatic 19th-Century American Poet

Unlike novels where a story unfolds over the course of hundreds of pages, poets communicate themes and feelings within just a few lines. One of the most beloved masters of this craft is the 19th-century writer Emily Dickinson. Her unique style of writing used unconventional punctuation and structure that was extremely modern for the time. Despite being one of the most famous poets in American literature, not much is known about her private life.

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July 2, 2022

Scientists Successfully Sequence the DNA of Man From the Pompeii Eruption for the First Time

In 79 CE, thousands of lives instantly changed when the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the town of Pompeii under 23 feet of ash and debris. Over 2,000 people perished in the disaster, many inside their homes. Now, for the first time, researchers have been able to fully sequence the DNA of one victim. Thanks to their work, we have even more insight into the people who called Pompeii their home.

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My Modern Met

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