In the 19th century, American theatres provided the stage for a war between high and low culture, the elite and ‘Know-Nothings’ – and Britain and the US. In 1849, events turned bloody. Article 1933 words 6 votes
For 1,500 years, Western Europe ‘forgot’ how to swim, retreating from the water in terror. The return to swimming is a lesser-known triumph of the Enlightenment. Article 2247 words 17 votes
The first Japanese man in America: A teenager shipwrecked on a Pacific atoll helped transform relations between Japan and the United States Link 5 votes
The exotic dead animals that appeared in the menageries of Victorian Britain’s grand exhibitions were far from perfect specimens. Stuffed, stitched, painted hybrids – accuracy was not a priority. Article 1840 words 4 votes