America Explained

Exploring America’s history and how it impacts today’s society – from the Founding Mothers to what marijuana tells us about States’ rights

Who was Daniel Webster?

Lawyer, orator and politician, Daniel Webster was one of the United States’ most famous and accomplished people in the 19th century. But what made him so special and how did he help change America?

What is the Mayflower Compact?

A short agreement by the Pilgrims and other colonists on board the Mayflower set in motion a system of government that inspired our country’s founding documents.

Muckrakers… or Investigative Journalists?

An essential part of any functioning democracy – the press helps to make governments accountable for their actions; but when the first investigative reporters started working in the United States, not everyone saw them as a good thing.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Notorious RBG

One of the most recognizable justices on the U.S. Supreme Court – Ruth Bader Ginsburg spent her career fighting for women’s and civil rights, helping to change the United States of America for the better.

What is the Secretary of State?

The Secretary of State is one of the most powerful politicians in America – but where does their power come from and what are their roles and responsibilities?

Edith Galt: The First Lady Who Took Control

Historically a ceremonial position, the role of First Lady at one point mainly involved hosting events at the White House. But when President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke in 1919, his wife, Edith, covertly took on many of his duties as President of the United States.

Building the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a vital trade route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Its fascinating story goes back hundreds of years.

The Dirty Thirties

The Dirty Thirties refers to the worst man-made ecological crisis in US history – when irresponsible farming habits, drought and storms led to “black blizzards” that took the lives of thousands and left many homeless.