History’s Most Overlooked Women
Here are some women who changed the world, but hardly anybody knows what they did or how they did it.
History
The Absolutely Weirdest Vice President Facts
This Presidents Day let’s look at the best, biggest, and most interesting number-twos of all time—the Vice Presidents of the United States.
African-Americans You Should Know About (But Maybe Don’t)
To commemorate Black History Month, here’s a list of notable figures often overlooked by history books.
A Very Animated History of Disney
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company with a review of its storied history, from Oswald to Mickey Mouse and beyond.
Back to School with Uncle John
Learn more about popular objects and phrases associated with school, like chalkboard erasers and “The dog ate my homework.”
Paperback Writers and Paperback Makers
From Shakespeare to penny dreadfuls and pulp fiction, celebrate International Paperback Day with this history of the affordable format.
Four Facts About the Real Hemingway
We at Uncle John’s like an efficient read, so it’s no surprise that Ernest Hemingway is a favorite at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute. He’s a titan of American literature who wrote about big things like love, war, and manliness. He did it all with famous economy and precision — but how much of it was […]
Lewis’s Adventures in Wonderland
On July 4, 1862, Alice first encountered the White Rabbit, The Mad Hatter, and Queen of Hearts, and all the other residents of Wonderland. But did you know she was dreamed up by a math professor telling a story at a summer picnic? Read all about how Lewis Caroll concocted a fantasy classic. Charles Dodgson was […]
Sneak Peek at Strange USA
If you’re a fan of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader, you’ll find all sorts of interesting facts in the Strange series that’ll keep your trip to the john just as exciting. Don’t believe us? Take a look at this sneak peek of Strange USA below. Introduction God bless the strange USA! The editors of Portable Press […]
An Earth Day Origin Story
Good news: This entire article is 100 percent planet-friendly! Here’s how we got a holiday celebrating the environment and arguing for its preservation. SILENT SPRING Author and biologist Rachel Carson won a National Book Award for The Sea Around Us, one of three 1950s bestsellers about the ocean. As the years wore on, she observed continually […]
Babe Was the Best
In honor of Women’s History Month, here’s a look at the accomplishments of Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, who just might be the greatest American athlete who ever lived — regardless of sex or gender. AAU An All-American in high school basketball, Didrikson found her first job after graduation with a Dallas insurance company…who hired her […]
Debunking the Myths About Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman is a truly inspiring historical icon. She was a high-ranking participant in the Underground Railroad, an 1840s and 1850s network that helped enslaved Black people get out of the South and make their way to the North, where slavery was abolished. Her achievements are amazing and legendary, so much so that they’ve been […]
Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Multi-Faceted Man of Many Talents
We all study Dr. King in school, so we all know a little about the man, but there’s a lot of fascinating stuff out there to be learned about the freedom fighter, Civil Rights pioneer, and all-around great American. Learn more below, and read Martin Luther King, Jr.: Voice for Equality! for a deeper dive.
This Article is “The Greatest”: Amazing Facts About Muhammad Ali
Sixty-two years ago one of the most astonishing, memorable, and important athletes and cultural figures debuted on the world stage when Cassius Clay won a gold medal in boxing at the 1960 Olympics. Read on to learn about “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, and check out his book in our Show Me History series, Muhammad Ali: […]
Why is Susan B. Anthony So Famous?
You probably know that Susan B. Anthony had something to do with getting women the right to vote in the United States—the 19th Amendment guaranteeing such was ratified in August 1920—but do you know how she did it and what, exactly, she did? See below and take a look at her Show Me History biography, Susan […]
Everything You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know About Gandhi
Globally, he’s one of the best known, most revered, and important historical figures of the 20th century. However, some misinformation persists in the legacy of Gandhi, regarded as “the father of the country” of India, helping his homeland attain independence from U.K. control on August 15, 1947. Learn more below, and check out a copy […]
Why is Amelia Earhart Famous?
The name is familiar, and it looms large in American history books. Here’s specifically what Amelia Earhart did, and why she’s so important and notable.
Busting the Myths About Sacagawea
In May 1804— 218 years ago this month — Sacagawea departed with the expedition headed by William Clark and Meriweather Lewis, a great trek to explore the Louisiana Purchase, which would become the western United States. Those are the facts — here are some other well-known things about Sacagawea that just aren’t true, no matter […]
