Jackie Robinson's illustrious professional baseball career began in Kansas City in 1945, where he fell in love with jazz and barbecue. His breaking of Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 marked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in America, paving the way for future generations of athletes and social change. [... more]

The iron lung, a life-saving device, was invented in 1927 to help people with polio, a disease that paralyzed thousands of people each year. The device used negative pressure to force air into the lungs, allowing patients to breathe. Although it was a costly and cumbersome treatment, the iron lung helped many people recover from polio, and its development paved the way for the creation of vaccines that eventually eradicated the disease. [... more]

The SS Georgiana, a civilian ship built in Scotland, was intended to smuggle goods into the Confederate port of Charleston during the American Civil War. However, it was spotted by a Union lookout ship and subsequently destroyed by both Union and Confederate forces, resulting in the loss of millions of buttons and pins. [... more]

Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin and his claim to have developed interchangeable parts is a story often told in a simplified way. However, the truth behind his invention and the role of firearms in his development of interchangeable parts is more complex and fascinating. [... more]

Malin Burnham, a business leader in San Diego, shares his life story and the pivotal moments that shaped his career and community development. From his early days in sailboat racing to his role in bringing the USS Midway aircraft carrier to San Diego, Burnham's story is a testament to his commitment to making his city a better place to live, work, and play. [... more]

The polio virus still circulates in certain parts of the world, and if it comes to the United States, where a significant percentage of the population is unvaccinated, the disease could make a comeback. Historian David Oshinsky remembers the toll it took on his childhood in the 1950s, when polio was a major public health threat. Meanwhile, investigative journalist Seymour Hirsch has spent his career exposing wrongdoing and protecting his sources, and actress Rose Byrne has come a long way from her early days as a struggling actor in Hollywood. In other news, a new book by Nora O'Donnell tells the stories of women who helped shape American history, including Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor, and Constance Baker Motley, the first black woman to argue in front of the Supreme Court. [... more]

During World War I, homing pigeons played a crucial role in military communication, particularly for the American Expeditionary Forces. One such story involves the Lost Battalion, a group of American soldiers trapped in the Argonne Forest, who relied on pigeons to send crucial messages to their headquarters. The story of these pigeons, including one named Shermi, has become a legendary tale of heroism and bravery. [... more]

Rosa Parks, a Christian woman, refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, sparking a 382-day boycott that brought attention to the injustices of segregation and the power of nonviolent resistance, led by Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Improvement Association. [... more]

Jackson McQuigg, Vice President of Properties at the Atlanta History Center, shares the story of the Locomotive Texas, a historic locomotive that participated in the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War. The locomotive's journey from its construction in 1856 to its preservation and restoration is a fascinating tale of history, preservation, and community involvement. [... more]

A white cloth, seemingly ordinary, holds an extraordinary story of the American Civil War, slavery, and the struggle for freedom. It was woven by an enslaved person on a plantation in South Carolina, and its history reveals the complexities of the war and the lives of those who lived through it. [... more]

Ed Stilley, a poor farmer in the Ozarks, made unique guitars for a divine purpose, driven by his devotion to God and the Bible. His instruments, created without formal training or resources, became a form of folk art, with each one bearing the message 'True faith, true light, have faith in God'. [... more]

General Daniel Sickles, a colorful character in American history, left a trail of unpaid bills, broken romances, and political scandals. He served as a soldier, politician, and diplomat, and was involved in several controversies, including the killing of Philip Barton Key and his subsequent acquittal on temporary insanity. Sickles went on to become a major general in the Civil War and was instrumental in the preservation of Gettysburg as a national historic site. [... more]

The USS Lexington, also known as Lady Lex, was a versatile warship that served in the US Navy during World War II. It was the first aircraft carrier to deploy air-to-surface missiles and sailed enough miles to circle the globe eight times. The ship played a unique role in peacetime, serving as a temporary power plant for the city of Tacoma during a power shortage and providing relief to the people of Nicaragua after a natural disaster. [... more]

Duane Reeder, the man behind the Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, shares his incredible story of how he became the personal archivist to the Clemente family, preserving Roberto Clemente's legacy and uncovering hidden treasures, including a rare wedding album and a secret door in Vera Clemente's house. [... more]

Developing perseverance is crucial to achieving God-given goals and overcoming obstacles. It requires faith, hard work, and a willingness to continue in spite of challenges. Understanding the value of perseverance, anticipating obstacles, and realizing that failure is not final are key to success. By choosing perseverance over defeat, individuals can experience the fulfillment of their dreams and leave a lasting legacy. [... more]

A diner in Orange Mound, Memphis, has become a gathering place for the woke leftist crowd, refusing to serve ICE agents and the National Guard, leading to a heated confrontation and sparking controversy, while the National Civil Rights Museum is set to unveil a redesign and new exhibits, including a focus on poverty, education, and nonviolence. [... more]

The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, showcases a vast collection of 20,000 salt and pepper shaker sets and 1,500 pepper mills, each telling a story of history, family, and passion. The museum's founder, Andrea Ludin's mother, started collecting salt and pepper shakers as a way to understand the changing times and society, and her daughter continues to share this fascinating story with the world. [... more]

Jackie Robinson's illustrious professional baseball career began in Kansas City in 1945, where he fell in love with jazz and barbecue. His breaking of Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 marked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, paving the way for future generations of black and brown talent to enter the sport. [... more]

The Museum of Bad Art in Somerville, Massachusetts, showcases a unique collection of artworks that are intentionally flawed, yet still convey the artist's sincerity and originality. The museum's curator, Louise Riley-Sacco, explains the concept behind the museum and how it challenges traditional notions of art and art appreciation. [... more]

A small toy company, Kenner, took a risk by manufacturing Star Wars toys after the big companies passed on the opportunity. The toys became a huge success, and the company's president, Bernie Loomis, made a decision that would change the course of toy history. Meanwhile, a museum curator shares the story of how Star Wars revolutionized movie merchandising and licensing, and how it influenced kids' toys and imagination. [... more]