As the 20th century approached, Native American communities faced mounting challenges to their existence and traditional ways of life. After the Civil War, large numbers of white settlers moved westward, spurred on by the expansion of railroads. This migrat…
In 1972, the United States federal government, which was looking to document living conditions among Native American communities, employed the services of photographer Terry Eiler to visit the south-west of the country and give an outsider view into the li…
Born in Wisconsin in 1868, Edward Sheriff Curtis took to photography at an early age. In 1895 he photographed Princess Angeline, the daughter of the Duwamish Chief Seattle, for whom the city was named. That encounter sparked Curtis' lifelong fascination…
The 2000s was a decade that left behind some of the most memorable—and sometimes questionable—fashion moments in recent history. It was an era defined by experimentation, blending old and new, and embracing bold statements that reflected the rapid globaliza…
The Iraq War stands as one of the most controversial and consequential military conflicts of the 21st century. Spanning nearly nine years, it reshaped not only Iraq’s political landscape but also U.S. foreign policy and global perceptions of military interv…
The future once looked like a promise of endless possibilities, with flying cars humming above neon-lit cities and meals arriving in pill form at the push of a button. This vision, known as retrofuturism, captures how people of the past imagined the world w…
The evolution of swimwear underwent a dramatic transformation in the 20th century as fashion trends rapidly shifted and the restrictive conventions of the Victorian era gave way to new ideals of freedom and functionality. Early in the century, one-piece swi…
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, hair salons were more than just places to perfect the era’s iconic bouffants and big hairstyles—they were a central part of social life. Even as these elaborate hairdos faded in popularity, giving way to more relaxed and m…
In 1885, in Waco, Texas, a Brooklyn-born pharmacist named Charles Alderton crafted a unique soft drink that would later be known as "Dr Pepper." Designed to stand out with a one-of-a-kind flavor, this carbonated beverage quickly gained popularity, setting t…
As the 20th century unfolded, photographers were on a mission to capture the world's evolution. They snapped away at everything from the chaos of war to the birth of new inventions, as well as the everyday weird and wonderful sights. Think about Boston's…
As the United States expanded westward in the early 1800s, a booming trade in American Bison fur, skin, and meat flourished across the Great Plains. By the 1860s, these iconic animals had roamed the plains for millennia, their thunderous herds numbering…
Journeying through history often feels distant when peering at faded black and white photographs that seem to belong to another world. The mind craves color, yearning for a connection that black and white imagery struggles to provide. Adding color to pho…
In the early 20th century, a captivating yet heart-wrenching story unfolded, centered around two albino African-American brothers, George and Willie Muse. Their lives took a dramatic turn when they were plucked from a Virginia farm and thrust into the brigh…
In the bygone era, a remarkable chapter in history unfolded, centered around the dedicated men known as the icemen. These individuals embarked on a crucial mission to deliver blocks of ice, playing an indispensable role in a time before the widespread avail…
In this day and age, it's easy to take our modern-day refrigerators for granted. We expect them to keep our food fresh and cold without giving them a second thought. However, it wasn't always this way. Back in the early 1900s, refrigerators were a luxur…
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an American tradition that has been celebrated for almost a century. Every year, millions of people gather on the streets of New York City to witness the iconic parade, featuring massive floats, marching bands, and giganti…
Beauty pageants have been a part of American culture for over a century, with the Miss America pageant being one of the most well-known and prestigious. However, there are also a number of bizarre beauty pageants held across the United States that may leave…
The Bathysphere was a spherical submersible device designed to take humans to the depths of the ocean for the purpose of exploration and scientific research. It was created in the early 20th century by American naturalist William Beebe and engineer Otis Barton…
The Seattle area was inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years before the first permanent European settlers. Arthur A. Denny and his group of travelers, subsequently known as the Denny Party, arrived from Illinois via Portland, Oregon, on the s…
In August 1896 when three men found gold in a tributary of the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory, they had no idea they would set off one of the greatest gold rushes in history. The idea of striking it rich led over 100,000 people from all walks of…