Lesley Kennedy | HISTORY LK Lesley Kennedy Lesley Kennedy is a features writer and editor living in Denver. Her work has appeared in national and regional newspapers, magazines and websites. Latest from this author Arts & Entertainment 11 Objects That Defined Summer Fun, Decade by Decade Every generation has its quintessential summer symbol. 1970s Why America’s Permanent Daylight Saving Time Experiment Failed The 1970s energy crisis prompted year-round daylight saving time, but the experiment was an utter disaster. American Revolution 8 Revolutionary War Flags Flown Before the Stars and Stripes These banners stoked the fight for independence and influenced the design of the American flag. Some are still around today. U.S. Government and Politics Why Are So Many Flags Red, White and Blue? The United States may be synonymous with 'red, white and blue' due to the iconic design of America’s Stars and Stripes, but it’s just one of many countries that use the color combination on its national flag. Advertisement Arts & Entertainment Are We There Yet? A History of Popular Car Games Amusements included the license plate game, I Spy and Mad Libs. U.S. Government and Politics What Happens When a Member of Congress Passes Away? The death of a sitting member of Congress prompts a series of protocols to honor their service and address the resulting vacancy. Arts & Entertainment 10 of History's Most Spectacular Weddings These ceremonies set the gold standard for grandeur. European History Why Joan of Arc Was Acquitted—25 Years After Her Execution A quarter-century after Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, the Catholic Church overturned the verdict that condemned her. Advertisement Advertisement 1970s How Americans Celebrated the 1976 Bicentennial: Photos From a wagon train to commemorative coins to School of Rock, see the colorful ways Americans marked the nation's 200th anniversary. 19th Century How Americans Celebrated the Centennial in 1876 President Grant called it a “day of reflection and gratitude,” and America hosted its first world’s fair. Colonial America What Colonial Americans Wore in 1776 Here’s how our collective image of Revolutionary fashion stacks up against reality. U.S. States How Did Knickerbockers Become a Symbol of New York? The baggy, knee-length pants were popular in the 19th century—but how did knickerbockers, (i.e. the Knicks) come to represent the city? Advertisement SPONSORED BY American Revolution How Alexander Hamilton’s Men Surprised the Enemy at the Battle of Yorktown Alexander Hamilton's leadership in the war's last major land battle delivered the future Secretary of the Treasury his long-sought glory. Sports 7 Times Celebrities Stole the Spotlight at Sporting Events These famous figures created headline-making moments. Natural Disasters & Environment Where Did Ebola Come From? The often fatal virus is believed to have spread from infected animals, likely bats. Middle Ages Why Was Joan of Arc Burned at the Stake? The French heroine and saint was labeled a heretic, fraud, sorceress and cross-dresser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ancient Greece What Is the Thucydides Trap? The roots of the concept date back to ancient Greece and the Peloponnesian War. Observances & Traditions Why Are Carnations a Mother’s Day Tradition? Carnations have been the official flower of Mother’s Day for more than 100 years. Observances & Traditions Mother’s Day Began as a Peace Movement Ann Reeves Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe, two early advocates for Mother’s Day, urged communities to gather in peace. Observances & Traditions Why Is Mother’s Day on the Second Sunday in May? The date of Mother’s Day hasn’t changed since the holiday began in 1914. Advertisement Observances & Traditions What Is the Ancient Celtic Festival of Beltane? The holiday, which celebrates renewal and fertility, involves dancing with fire. U.S. Government and Politics Voting Rights in America: A Timeline Through the decades, the right to vote in U.S. elections has seen massive expansion and change. Arts & Entertainment 8 Outrageous Fashion Trends That Went Mainstream What feels ordinary today once stirred controversy. Observances & Traditions How Tax Day Turned Into Party Night at the Post Office April 15 once meant lively gatherings at post offices as people filed their annual tax returns. Advertisement Advertisement Observances & Traditions What’s the Difference Between Easter and Orthodox Easter? The holidays both celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ but have some different traditions and are based on different calendars. Religion What Are the Gnostic Gospels—and What Do They Say About Jesus? These ancient texts challenge mainstream Christian teachings. Religion Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Twelve Apostles played a crucial role in the spread of early Christianity, though their histories are often debated. 5 Books About Scandalous Love Affairs  These romances shaped art, politics and empires. Advertisement Observances & Traditions How the Sunrise Service Became an Easter Tradition For many Christians, sunrise and resurrection are linked. Observances & Traditions What Are the World’s Oldest Holidays? Honoring the start of the year and the change of seasons are practices as old as time. Mysteries & Folklore The Jolly Leprechaun’s Sinister Origins Early Irish folklore portrayed leprechauns as menacing tricksters. Today, the little green-clad cobblers are beloved cultural icons. 1990s The Calvin Klein Look That Ruled the 1990s The designer led a minimalist revolution that redefined American chic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1970s When President Ford Faced Two Assassination Attempts in One Month In September 1975, President Gerald Ford escaped two attempts on his life—both by women and both in California. Observances & Traditions The Surprising History of February A duked drowned in wine, snow in the Sahara—and more. U.S. Government and Politics What Was the Effect of the Monroe Doctrine? The impact of President James Monroe’s signature foreign policy has changed over the years. Arts & Entertainment The Eagles: 5 Essential Facts About the Rock Band Five things every fan should know about the band behind 'Hotel California.' Advertisement U.S. Government and Politics What Was the Initial Reaction to the Monroe Doctrine? At first, Latin America applauded President James Monroe’s 1823 declaration. Europe’s reaction was a different story. U.S. Government and Politics Who Originally Enforced the Monroe Doctrine? President James Monroe issued a firm warning to Europe, but in the absence of U.S. military and economic might, Britain stepped in to help. U.S. Government and Politics What Are the Four Principles of the Monroe Doctrine? What are the four principles of the Monroe Doctrine? A political science professor breaks it down. U.S. Government and Politics How a First Lady Prepares for Life in the White House It's a crash course in protocol, politics and public life. Advertisement Advertisement American Revolution Who Were the Daughters of Liberty?  “With ladies on our side, we can make every Tory tremble.” Sports 8 Remarkable Female Figure Skaters at Winter Olympics Eight legendary women who shaped Olympic figure skating history. Observances & Traditions 10 Symbolic Foods of Lunar New Year Foods enjoyed during New Year’s are similar to those eaten throughout the year but with special emphasis on bringing good fortune. Cold War Why Was NATO Formed? Amid the Cold War, 12 countries founded NATO as a backbone of the West’s military defense against the Soviet Union and its allies. Advertisement Observances & Traditions The Surprising History of January The month boasts marvels like a huge candy-colored ice festival. U.S. Presidents How FDR Became the First—And Only—President Elected to Serve Four Terms Before the 22nd Amendment, presidents could run for more than two terms—but only FDR managed to win more than two consecutive elections. Christmas 100 Years of Christmas Tree Trends in Photos See popular Christmas tree decorating fads dating back to 1920s. Christmas How 25 Christmas Traditions Got Their Start Learn why we decorate trees, swap cookies and hide pickles and elves, among other traditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crime Were These Taunting Letters Really from D.B. Cooper, the Mysterious 1971 Hijacker? After he parachuted from a 727 passenger plane with ransom money—and disappeared—newspapers started receiving weird letters, some with coded messages. Observances & Traditions How Debutante Balls Became an Elite Society Tradition Once a tool of aristocratic matchmaking, the event has evolved. Women’s History Women in the US Military: Timeline From the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq, U.S. women have served critical roles in military forces. U.S. States Wyoming Wyoming became the 44th state to join the union in 1890. The first U.S. territory to allow women to vote, Wyoming has the smallest population of all the states. Advertisement