Festivaltopia·
The Books That Defined Each Decade of U.S. History
1770s: “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine 1770s: “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine (image credits: flickr) In the feverish days of the American Revolution, nothing hit
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Festivaltopia·
15 Songs That Exposed Political Scandals
Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Vietnam War Draft Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Vietnam War Draft (image credits:
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15 Writers Who Were Rebels Before It Was Cool
1. James Baldwin 1. James Baldwin (image credits: flickr) James Baldwin didn’t just write about race in America—he ripped the mask off polite society and stared
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Secret Symbols Hidden in Famous American Songs
The Mysterious “American Pie” by Don McLean The Mysterious “American Pie” by Don McLean (image credits: flickr) Few songs stir up as much speculation as Don McL
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How Literature Exposed Corporate Scandals in America
The Jungle and the Birth of Consumer Outrage The Jungle and the Birth of Consumer Outrage (image credits: wikimedia) When Upton Sinclair published The Jungle in
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20 Little-Known Laws That Changed American Society
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 (image credits: wikimedia) This was the first significant law restricting immigration into the Unite
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15 Songs That Were Smuggled Across American Borders
Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday’s Protest Sings Across Borders Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday’s Protest Sings Across Borders (image credits: wikimedia) When Billie
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20 Writers Who Secretly Used Ghostwriters
James Patterson’s Literary Factory James Patterson’s Literary Factory (image credits: wikimedia) James Patterson is one of the most prolific and bestselling aut
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Festivaltopia·
The Forgotten History of America’s Labor Movement
The Roots of Struggle: Early Workers and Broken Promises The Roots of Struggle: Early Workers and Broken Promises (image credits: wikimedia) Most people don’t r
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20 Authors Who Fought Censorship in U.S. History
Mark Twain and the Battle Over Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain and the Battle Over Huckleberry Finn (image credits: wikimedia) Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, is a
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20 Songs That Changed the U.S. Education System
We Shall Overcome and the Civil Rights Classroom Revolution We Shall Overcome and the Civil Rights Classroom Revolution (image credits: flickr) If you’ve ever s
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The Forgotten Writers Behind U.S. Propaganda
The Hidden Architects of Persuasion The Hidden Architects of Persuasion (image credits: rawpixel) Most people are surprised to learn that some of the most influ
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How Jazz Clubs Became Political Hubs in America
The Roaring Twenties: Jazz’s Surprising Political Beginnings The Roaring Twenties: Jazz’s Surprising Political Beginnings (image credits: wikimedia) In the 1920
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20 Songs That Became Symbols of American Hope
America the Beautiful: A Timeless Anthem of Optimism America the Beautiful: A Timeless Anthem of Optimism (image credits: wikimedia) Few songs evoke the feeling
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15 Secret Societies That Shaped American Universities
Skull and Bones at Yale University Skull and Bones at Yale University (image credits: wikimedia) Founded in 1832, Skull and Bones at Yale is probably the most i
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Forgotten American Battles That Changed World History
The Battle of New Orleans: A Surprising Final Act The Battle of New Orleans: A Surprising Final Act (image credits: wikimedia) The Battle of New Orleans is ofte
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15 Songs That Defined the American Counterculture
Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan (image credits: wikimedia) Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” became an anthem for the civil ri
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Forgotten American Heroes Who Deserve Recognition
Bessie Coleman: The Sky’s Bold Pioneer Bessie Coleman: The Sky’s Bold Pioneer (image credits: wikimedia) Bessie Coleman’s name rarely appears in history books,
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Forgotten American Inventions That Changed the World
The Ice Cream Maker: Churning Up Global Delight The Ice Cream Maker: Churning Up Global Delight (image credits: flickr) Imagine a hot summer day without ice cre
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Lost Speeches That Could Have Changed America
The Forgotten Farewell of Abraham Lincoln The Forgotten Farewell of Abraham Lincoln (image credits: wikimedia) In 1865, just before his assassination, Abraham L
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