Music
August 26, 2024

Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz Is the First Afro-Latina on a U.S. Quarter

The “Queen of Salsa” Celia Cruz is the fourth woman to be honored in the 2024 American Women Quarters Program and the first Afro-Latina to grace a U.S. coin. This vivacious vocal powerhouse’s career spanned continents, genres, and decades. That’s a lot of life and musicality to portray on a small metal disc, but U.S. Mint medallic artist Phebe Hemphill was up to the challenge and created a striking pocket portrait.

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Archeology
August 25, 2024

Turkey’s Ancient Göbekli Tepe May Be Home to the World’s Oldest Solar Calendar

Scholars have long debated who was the first to begin tracking time. Was it Julius Caesar in 45 BCE. who created the Roman calendar and introduced the leap day? Or the ancient Maya in 250 CE, known for their complex clock systems and fascination with chronology? Recent research suggests the first creators of the calendar actually came long before.

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Science
August 24, 2024

Scientists Find Evidence That Rain First Fell on Earth 4 Billion Years Ago

In elementary school, children learn about the water cycle. From evaporation to condensation into clouds to precipitation as rain, water cycles between land and sky. But when did this process begin? Earth itself is 4.5 billion years old, but freshwater was not immediately present. However, a new paper published in Nature Geoscience suggests Earth experienced its first rain earlier than previously thought.

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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.