Category Archives: Then and Now

Dateline: July 5, 2013–Philadelphia

Posted on July 5, 2013 by lindenme

Living in Philadelphia is a kick for an American historian. I’m especially a sucker for the city’s 4th of July celebrations. This year’s program at Independence Hall  emphasized the importance and complex history of the struggle for civil rights in … Continue reading →

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Myth of NINA and St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S.

Posted on March 16, 2013 by lindenme

This afternoon, March 16, 2013, I was lucky enough to enjoy the spontaneous visit of the 2nd Street Irish Society Pipes and Drums at Bridget Foy’s in Philadelphia. About the same time, two million people watched or participated in today’s … Continue reading →

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Dropping In: Education and the American Dream

Posted on March 7, 2013 by lindenme

“Appealing as it may be, the against-all-odds story of the college dropout is not the story we should be selling our young people.” (The Atlantic) The term “dropout” entered the American discourse in the 1930s. Before 1937, the majority of … Continue reading →

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WHM: It’s That Time of Year…Again

Posted on February 21, 2013 by lindenme

The profusion of events crowded into annual Women’s History Month celebrations can be exhausting. I’ve spent my professional career advocating for the inclusion of women and gender in historical study, but I’m conflicted about themed history months as the best … Continue reading →

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Wanted: Historians to Advise Emory President

Posted on February 20, 2013 by lindenme

How is it possible that the president of Emory University pointed to the 3/5ths Compromise as an example of political compromise and good governance? President James W. Wagner made that claim in the winter edition of Emory Magazine. Many faculty … Continue reading →

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Buffalo Bill Cody in the News

Posted on February 17, 2013 by lindenme

Kit and Barry Cody were killed in a plane crash in Central Florida on February 16, 2013. The Missoulian identified the victims as the great-grandsons of William Cody, the founder and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. For better or worse, the sad story … Continue reading →

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Priceless Melton Barker Short Films

Posted on February 13, 2013 by lindenme

Capturing the voices and images of children from the past can be illusive. Even when the sources do exist, archives and libraries rarely make it easy to identify sources that relate the direct experiences of kids. One exception is The … Continue reading →

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1922 Kodachrome Color Movie

Posted on February 10, 2013 by lindenme

This mesmerizing short film from 1922 is “bewitching” and important for its coquettish  portrayal of female sensuality. The flapper image popularized by movies of the time showcased female sexuality in ways previously unheard of in mainstream culture. This amazing color … Continue reading →

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Presidents and Bathtubs

Posted on February 9, 2013 by lindenme

Hacker Guccifer is getting lots of attention for posting George W. Bush’s bathtub self-portrait. There is a history behind presidents and bathtubs. William Howard Taft had a special large tub moved into the White House to fit his oversized girth. … Continue reading →

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