History

December 11, 2017

Vintage Photos Reveal the Spirit of the Holiday Season in New York City 100+ Years Ago

Christmas in New York has always been a special time of year. From shoppers bustling about to the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, the city buzzes with activity. And this glimpse of New York City in the early-20th century shows that much of that spirit was alive even in the past. In fact, the nation's first public Christmas tree was installed in 1912 in Madison Square Park, complete with bulbs donated by the Edison Company.

Read Article

November 2, 2017

14th Century Cave Art From Lost Civilization Discovered on Uninhabited Caribbean Island

Rock art is one of the most primitive visual forms used to express the rites, rituals, and religions of early cultures. A global phenomenon, different types of rock art are found around the world and now, for the first time, researchers have discovered dateable cave art in the Caribbean. Surveys of around 70 cave systems on the now-uninhabited Puerto Rican island of Mona revealed a stunning quantity of cave art from the 14th century.

Read Article

September 12, 2017

Mathew Brady, the Story of the Man Who Photographed the Civil War

A defining moment in American history, the Civil War is an event that still resonants across the country today. And thanks to one man, we are able to have a first-hand view into what life was like in camp and on the field. Known as the father of photojournalism, we can thank Mathew Brady for exposing the American public to the effects of war for the first time through photography.

Read Article

August 1, 2017

World’s Oldest Unopened Bottle of Wine Remains Sealed Since the 4th Century

Wine has a long and rich history in human existence that predates even written records—but suffice to say that our love affair with the beverage is ancient. One theory postulates that the fermentation of alcohol took off sometime between 10,000 to 8,000 BC, thanks to the shift from nomadic to more settled culture. Because people were staying in one place, they began raising crops that eventually lead to the production of wine.

Read Article

My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.