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Death Valley Ghost Towns: Where to Find Forgotten Boomtowns

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They don’t call it Death Valley because it’s where towns go to die, though that’s not entirely untrue. The desolate stretch of Eastern California and Nevada desert known as Death Valley earned its name from a group of pioneers who presumed that they would perish there in the winter of 1849.

In fact, all but one of the travelers made it out alive, but the legend states that one member of the group looked back and claimed “goodbye, Death Valley” as he ascended into the Panamint Mountains, out of the valley. The name stuck.

On top of that, the valley is one of the hottest places in the world — in the summer of 2017, the average daytime high was about 120 degrees. Certainly, this 3,000-square-mile patch of land isn’t always the most hospitable to human life. In some seasons, it may as well be the moon.

That didn’t stop early settlers from trying to build up societies there though, especially since the barren land was rich with the promise of gold, silver and copper. As Author Robert. P. Palazzo puts it in his work “Ghost Towns of Death Valley,” the region saw an attempt at development during the mining boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The first influx was during the 1870s, when westward pioneers set up boomtowns in the region to accommodate the flood of miners. During this time, many of the area’s post offices were established. But once the Postal Service realized that such small, desolate towns did not warrant a post office, the operations were closed. Even the successful boomtowns only flourished temporarily however, eventually crumbling due to the scarcity of resources and the difficulty of transportation.

Main Street in Panamint City in 1872. Reprinted from Ghost Towns of Death Valley.

Death Valley Ghost Towns You Can Still Visit

As Palazzo points out in his book, one of the best definitions of a ghost town comes from ghost town expert Lambert Florin, who defines such a town as “a shadowy semblance of a former self.” Therefore, if you’re looking for perfectly preserved mining towns, you won’t find them in Death Valley. What you will find is more akin to ancient ruins, with run-down buildings, partial fences, and the occasional crumbling miner’s shack. If this piques your interest, here are some of the best places to visit.

Panamint City — In its heyday, Panamint had as many as 2,000 residents, seven saloons, three hotels, a Wells Fargo office, a post office and a school. Built around the mining of silver and copper, Panamint formed at the foot of the Sunrise Canyon on the western edge of Death Valley National Park. Today, you’ll find abandoned mining equipment, cabins and even rotting cars at the site.

Darwin — Darwin, located just a few miles outside the national park boundary to the west, is one of the most exciting abandoned towns of the region, partially because it is one of the most enduring. Darwin remained afloat throughout the 20th century, and is still inhabited today, with around 43 residents, according to the 2010 census. Visitors come to Darwin to see a ramshackle downtown and a deteriorating smelter full of rusting machinery.

Rhyolite — Located in the Bullfrog-Rhyolite area of Nevada’s Death Valley, Rhyolite was once the largest town in a cluster of mining boomtowns in this pocket of the desert. The most famous landmark associated with this part of the valley is the Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad Station, which sits relatively well-preserved in Rhyolite to this day. It’s also home to The Bottle House, which was restored by Paramount Pictures in 1925 for use in a Western movie set.

Skidoo — Founded in 1906 by two prospectors who, quite literally, struck gold there, Skidoo immediately drew gold-hunters from far and wide. It grew to a population of about 700 inhabitants and was the site of several saloons, a bank, a milling plant and a water pipeline. But Skidoo is perhaps most famous because it was the site of Death Valley’s only hanging —the vigilante killing of Joe “Hootch” Simpson for the murder of Jim Arnold.

Thinking about taking a tour of these fascinating Old West ghost towns? A good thing to note is that these towns are decidedly desolate, so it’s not a bad idea to follow the GPS coordinates to find them, rather than turn-by-turn directions. Also, make sure that you leave these towns — or any place in the wild, for that matter — as you found them! Preserving abandoned sites is an important part of continuing to tell our country’s story well into the future.

Want to read more about Death Valley? Pick up “Railroads of Death Valley” or “Red Light Women of Death Valley” for more.

How the Super Bowl became America’s Most-Watched Annual Sporting Event

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On January 15, 1967, the Green Bay Packers played the Kansas City Chiefs in the first ever Super Bowl. The game, which took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, marked the beginning of what would evolve into a staple of American culture. Every year, over 100 million fans tune in to watch the top teams from the NFC and the AFC square off to determine the best team in the country. From rivalries to broken deals to wild superstitions, we’re examining the events that shaped the Super Bowl into today’s fan favorite.

 The History of the Game

 In Canton, Ohio in the fall of 1920, a group of men gathered to discuss the prospect of starting a nationwide league for professional football players. Originally known as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), it was later renamed the National Football League (NFL) in 1922. The league’s first president was James Thorpe, who is widely credited with building the league’s reputation, and setting it on a successful path for widespread public popularity. Prior to this, football games considered “professional” had mostly been held at the state or local level. The NFL thrived for its first few decades, witnessing an increased interest from the public, games with massive crowds, and the development of fan bases. The league had 10 teams when it was first formed, and by 1960, there were 14.

However, in 1960, as the NFL was ringing in its 40th successful year, it was met with a new rival: the American Football League (AFL). Formed by a group of businessmen who wanted to start a football team, but were dismissed by the NFL, the AFL proved a different competitor than the NFL had seen before. In the past, smaller leagues had attempted to coalesce, but were largely shut out by the NFL which dominated the industry. The AFL’s success came from signing players that had been rejected by the NFL. These players proved to be as talented and well-equipped as those in the NFL.

An early football game in Pennsylvania, near the turn of the 20th century. Back then, touchdowns were only worth four points. Reprinted from The Birthplace of Professional Football: Southwestern Pennsylvania by David Finoli and Tom Aikens, courtesy of the Latrobe Historical Society (pg. 33, Arcadia Publishing, 2004).


After only a few years into the AFL’s tenure, the two sides were fighting against each other to get the best players right out of college. They agreed not to sign players that already had a contract with the other side, but this shattered when the New York Giants of the NFL signed a player from the AFL’s Buffalo Bills. The AFL retaliated by signing several contracted NFL players, including eight of their top quarterbacks. In 1966, the leagues finally agreed to a deal, which allowed them to share a common draft and merge into a single league after the 1969 season. Additionally, within this agreement was an AFL-NFL Championship Game that would take place every year, and put the best team from both leagues head-to-head.

Tickets for this first game were sold at a slim $12. The first Super Bowl was the only one that didn’t entirely sell out, and was also the only Super Bowl to be duel-broadcasted on NBC and CBS. While today we’ve become accustomed to elaborate halftime performances, the first Super Bowl invited popular marching bands from the University of Arizona and Grambling State University to play at its halftime show. There to accompany the bands were 300 pigeons, 10,000 balloons, and a demonstration of the Bell Rocket Air Men who flew through the air propelled by hydrogen peroxide.

The Super Bowl Today

The first Super Bowl in 1967 was modest compared to today’s celebrations. For starters, fans today will pay anywhere from $3,000 – $5,000 for a ticket to the big game. The Super Bowl is broadcasted to over 170 countries, and is one of the most-watched annual sporting event in the world. Internationally famed artists like Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, and Coldplay have all had the chance to play at the coveted halftime show.

The 1949 San Francisco 49ers. Reprinted from San Francisco 49ers by Martin Jacobs (pg. 22, Arcadia Publishing, 2005).

Today’s brands also put enormous effort into the advertisements run during the game’s commercial breaks. The hilarious, relevant, and sometimes touching slant they take is familiar to yearly Super Bowl watchers. To run one of these 30-second ads on prime time television during the Super Bowl will cost a company around $5 million.

Die-hard fans most likely have a few superstitions they carry with them to the game. They can be caught wearing unwashed jerseys or socks from winning seasons, watching the game with the same people who have inspired luck throughout the season, or perhaps sitting in the same bar, chair or couch as one has watched most other games. There is also a decades old tradition of the United States President predicting who will win the game.

The Super Bowl has now become a household name in American culture. It offers fans an opportunity to gather around a television set with their friends to eat, drink, and cheer on their favored team. The game today has evolved to be a display of athletic competition, musicians, and the dedication of unwavering fans, but at its roots is the rivalry that inspired the competition decades ago.

Little-Known Facts about the Super Bowl

  • Due to restrictions on advertising, the NFL actually regulates the use of “Super Bowl” in advertisements. This forces companies to use alternative names like the “Big Game.”
  • The winning team receives the Vince Lombardi trophy, named after the coach of the Green Bay Packers who won the first two Super Bowls.
  • Roman numerals are used to name each Super Bowl because the football season runs into two calendar years, so instead of categorizing each game by the year in which it was played, they are counted by Roman numerals.
  • The Super Bowl had never gone into overtime until the 2017 game – Super Bowl LI.
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers have six Super Bowl wins – the most of any team in the NFL.
  • The AFC is the “home” team for odd-numbered Super Bowls, while the NFC is the “home” team for the even-numbered.

5 Famous Architectural Masterpieces in Los Angeles

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Many consider Los Angeles the archetype of an American city with its world-renowned designs by famous architects. Legends like Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank O. Gehry, Rudolph Schindler, and Renzo Piano built stunning structures in this iconic city, but architects also designed solutions to address the issues of homelessness and urbanization in L.A.

Some of the poorest areas of California exist within the environs of Los Angeles, amid the tremendous and vibrant downtown skyscrapers, which serve as symbols of American economic progress and innovation.

For these reasons, the architecture and landmarks of Los Angeles hold a unique fascination to the discerning visitor.

History becomes more interesting when viewed through the lens of books, buildings, and other cultural artifacts. Here are some of the more notable landmarks of L.A. and their fascinating histories.

1. The Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory in the 1930s. A lone hiker looks on. Reprinted from Griffith Park

The Griffith Observatory provides a great view of the iconic Hollywood sign as well as a scenic panorama of the city. The observatory boasts beautiful architecture with stunning art deco domes. It has housed numerous exhibits over the years, including a Tesla coil dating from 1910.

Griffith J. Griffith, a Welsh immigrant who made a fortune from the mining industry in the 19th century, funded the building. He wanted to create an observatory to help make astronomy accessible to the public.

Griffith indulged in many other philanthropic pursuits, like establishing Griffith Park, intended “for the masses, a resort for the rank and file, for the plain people.”

2. Walt Disney Concert Hall

Frank Gehry is one of the most important architects of the modern era. Visitors encounter several of his masterpieces around the city, including his residence in Santa Monica, which solidified his reputation as a powerful design influencer.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall includes many of Gehry’s signature design concepts, featuring robust, angular paneling and a glossy exterior finish. The concert hall offers some of the best acoustics in the nation, so if you get a chance to see the L.A. Philharmonic perform there, you will not be disappointed. Leaders in the music and film industries have featured it in countless films, making it a recognizable building to many people.

3. Pacific Design Center

While not as well-known as many of L.A.’s landmarks, the Pacific Design Center is, nonetheless, a remarkable and unique facility, prized for its striking design. Designed by world class architect César Pelli, the buildings brings bold color to West Hollywood. Colors define its main buildings; it features conjoining components of blue, red, and green in the stunning glass facade.

4. The Getty Center

Designed by Richard Meier, the Getty Center sits on two natural ridges overlooking the city. Visitors arrive by tram to the central plaza, where the public can easily access the main museum building. One of the most visited museums in the United States, the Getty Center houses millions worth of notable art.

Nearby, the central garden and the Getty Research Institute house an extensive art library. Visitors will notice the considerable use of water in the form of fountains, ponds, and pools throughout the complex, creating a unique ambiance.

5. The L.A. River Structures

A twentieth-century postcard of the Los Angeles River Valley. Reprinted from Los Angeles River

Not so much a tourist attraction as a landmark design that improves city infrastructure, the urban portion of the Los Angeles River, with its wide flood drains, has come to symbolize the architectural feats of the city’s engineers.

The city has experienced devastating floods several times throughout its history, including the floods in the 1820s and the 1930s that caused significant damage and loss of life.

That prompted the city leaders to undertake continuous efforts to improve its flood readiness. These efforts have resulted in a complex and impressive network of storm drains and aqueducts, which have become a part of the fabric of life in Los Angeles.

9 Fun Facts About Groundhog Day

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If you’re the sort of person who has absolutely had enough of winter, cold, and snow by the time February rolls around, you probably also hope the famous Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow on February 2nd. According to folklore, a cloudy Groundhog Day on which the groundhog can’t see his shadow after coming out of hibernation signifies spring weather that will arrive before the equinox. A shadow, on the other hand, means six more weeks of winter.

However, there’s a lot more to Groundhog Day than the simple facts and folklore everyone knows. For instance, did you know any of the following things about this fun and memorable occasion.

The 2001 members of the Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle. Reprinted from Around Punxsutawney by Sr. Anne Frances Pulling (pg.4, Arcadia Publishing, 2001).

1. Legend has it that Punxsutawney Phil is actually immortal.

A groundhog’s average lifespan is 6-8 years. However, legend has it that America’s favorite groundhog, Phil, regularly drinks a magic elixir that extends his life by seven years. It happens right there in Phil’s hometown of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania at the town’s Annual Groundhog Picnic each summer.

2. February 2nd isn’t just a random date.

Groundhog Day falls on the 2nd of February for a reason. It’s what’s known as a “cross-quarter” day, meaning it falls at the midpoint between one season and another. In the case of February 2nd, it’s the cross-quarter day that falls between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, making it the ideal time to consider whether or not spring will arrive early.

3. Traditional celebrations once involved eating the groundhog.

The very first Groundhog Day celebration took place in 1886 and was hosted by a group of elders known as the Groundhog Club. The Groundhog Club considered their namesake to be a delicacy in addition to a natural meteorologist. That said, cooked groundhog meat was a menu staple on Groundhog Day picnic menus that year. Those who have eaten groundhog meat often describe it as a cross between chicken and pork.

4. Punxsutawney Phil owes his status as a household name to Bill Murray.

Punxsutawney’s Gobbler’s Knob traditionally has seen an influx of tourists on February 2nd since the Groundhog Day tradition first began. However, the release of the 1993 Columbia Pictures film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray caused those numbers to jump to 35,000. (At the time of the release, the population of Punxsutawney itself was less than 7,000.)

5. Groundhogs have something in common with catcallers.

Catcallers aren’t the only ones that attempt to attract the attention of a potential mate by whistling. Groundhogs do it, too. For this reason, they are sometimes known as “whistle pigs.”

6. Statistically speaking, groundhogs aren’t particularly good meteorologists.

To hear Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers tell it, he has a pristine weather prediction record that reflects 100% accuracy. In reality, his track record isn’t really all that great. According to Stormfax, Phil has delivered a correct forecast approximately 39% of the time since he first tried his hand at meteorology in 1887. That’s only 2% higher than the national average of 37%. Currently, the most accurate groundhog prognosticator lives in Yellowknife, California and has a 50% accuracy rate.

7. Groundhog Day was almost Badger Day instead.

Groundhog Day originally evolved from Candlemas, a celebration of both literal and religious light. Candlemas itself has also long been a day where people used animals to speculate about the weather. For instance, medieval cults held parties by bears’ dens while they waited for grizzlies to wake up from hibernation and “check the weather.”

Both English and German Catholics did something similar with badgers. However, when Germans settled in Pennsylvania and found badgers hard to come by, the switch was made to the groundhog.

8. Punxsutawney Phil has met his share of celebrities over the years.

America’s most famous groundhog meteorologist has several very famous friends. For instance, he had the pleasure of meeting President Ronald Reagan in 1986. He was also a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1995.

9. Phil has a wife … and they both dig a good read.

Phil is no longer a bachelor these days. He has a wife named Phyllis who helps him with his duties as the “Prognosticator of Prognosticators.” When Phil and Phyllis aren’t busily looking for their shadows on Groundhog Day, they reside quietly at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library. We can only guess at what they like to read about most!

Protesting in America: 5 Rebellions in American History

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Americans have a long history of protest dating back to the Colonial period. But the rebellious spirit of America did not die with the end of the Revolution – since gaining independence, American citizens have used uprisings and protests as a means to defy unfair laws, highlight inequality, and push for social change. Read on to learn about just 5 of America’s biggest rebellions!

Whiskey Rebellion

Some of the “whiskey boys” depicted during the rebellion. Reprinted from Washington County Chronicles: Historic Tales from Southwestern Pennsylvania by Harriet Branton, courtesy of Ray W. Forquer, artist, and Countryside Prints, Inc (pg. 31, The History Press, 2013).

Like many American rebellions, the Whiskey Rebellion was born out of a tax. The so-called whiskey tax of 1791 was actually a tax on all distilled spirits, but became known as the whiskey tax because of the drink’s popularity. This tax was the first time the government had taxed a domestic product, rather than something imported from overseas. As a result, many distillers were angry with (and resisted) the tax, viewing it as going against the revolutionary principle of “no taxation without representation.” The government, for their part, argued that the tax was perfectly legal underneath the new Constitution.

The tension between the two groups grew steadily until July of 1794, when 500 armed men attacked the home of a tax collector in Western Pennsylvania. The government, led by President George Washington, responded by sending not only peace negotiators, but also an army of 13,000 militiamen to stop the insurrection. This army, led by Washington himself, arrived to find that the protestors had dispersed, and the event ended without any violence. However, the rebellion served as an example to the former colonists that the government could (and would) enforce laws, and restrict violent uprisings against them.

Shays’ Rebellion

John Brown’s fort in Harpers Ferry. Reprinted from Harpers Ferry by Dolly Nasby (pg. 30, Arcadia Publishing, 2007).

By 1786, despite gaining full independence only three years before, many former colonists were unhappy with the new American government. Led by the Articles of Confederation, a precursor to the Constitution, the federal government was generally viewed by many as weak, and ineffective. As a result, when the state of Massachusetts began pressing farmers to pay taxes in hard money, rather than goods, unrest began to build. Many farmers relied on bartering, and lacked any hard money, especially given that many had been paid with the “chance for independence” for their services in the Revolutionary War.

As a result, a veteran and farmer named Daniel Shays organized a group of 4000 rebels, who attempted to storm the Springfield, Massachusetts armory, and use the obtained weapons to overthrow the government. Too poor and weak to fight the insurrection themselves, the federal government relied on the Massachusetts militia and a private militia to fight the rebels. These two militias were quickly successful – after firing a couple of cannons and wounding several men, they drove back the rebels from the armory. The rebels, stunned by the force, retreated, and the rebellion was quickly over.

Despite being unsuccessful, Shays’ Rebellion did act as a catalyst for the Constitutional Convention, as the government realized it would need more power than it had under the Articles of Confederation to enforce rules and taxes. 

John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry

Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, many abolitionists worked to promote the welfare and freedom of slaves, especially in the South. Abolitionist John Brown took this activism one step further, however, and attempted to organize an armed slave revolt in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown’s ultimate goal was to help the slaves take over a US arsenal in the area, but he could only organize a group of 22 men, including 8 white men, 12 free black men, and one free and one fugitive slave. Despite asking for assistance from noted abolitionism leaders Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, Brown was left to lead the raid himself.

Unfortunately, the rebellion was quickly crushed by a company of Marines, and over 15 people, including 6 civilians, died in the violence. Brown was subsequently captured and executed for organizing the raid. Although the insurrection was ultimately unsuccessful, it has been widely regarded as a “dress rehearsal” for the true Civil War, and further inflamed the tensions between Northern anti-slavery advocates and white Southern slaveholders.

Stonewall Riots

The mid-20th century was a difficult and dangerous time for the LGBTQ+ community in America. The legal system was staunchly homophobic, and many states prohibited same-sex relationships, declaring them forms of sodomy, punishable by fines and jail time. During this same time, the LGBTQ+ community of Greenwich Village in New York City had found some safety in a mafia-run bar called the Stonewall Inn. The bar catered to the whole community, but was well-known as a location for ostracized members of the community, such as drag queens or transgender individuals.

Because of this, the bar became the subject of a police raid on June 28, 1969. Police raids of gay bars was commonplace at the time, but the raid quickly became violent as the bar parishioners refused to surrender. This first night of rioting led to several subsequent riots, and although no one was killed in the violence, residents of the Village quickly joined together to fight for gay rights. Their activism efforts led to some of the first gay pride parades in 1970, and have been credited as the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Battle of Athens

The Athens, Tennessee jailhouse. Reprinted from McMinn County by Joe Guy (pg. 28, Arcadia Publishing, 2010).

McMinn County, Tennessee, was not known for political cleanliness. Run by the political machine of a sheriff named Paul Cantrell, the county, including the city of Athens was subject to the whims of a crooked sheriff and legislator, who would often harass citizens in an attempt to hand out tickets and make arrests. After World War II, as veterans returned home to McMinn County (and Athens specifically), Cantrell and his cronies focused their arrest efforts of GI’s, who were well-known for enjoying drinking. Annoyed with Cantrell and his dishonest tactics, the GI’s formed their own political party to try to oust Cantrell from his post. However, the corrupt sheriff didn’t give up easily, and he stuffed ballot boxes to ensure his own victory.

After being accused of voter fraud, the sheriff sent armed cronies (so-called “deputies”) to patrol poll stations, where they beat and arrested GI poll watchers attempting to prevent fraud. After the vote was cast, the sheriff then stole the ballot boxes, and barricaded himself with his deputies in the local Athens jail. Enraged, the ex-GI’s began attacking the building with rifles, and the two sides began an all-out battle, injuring several men. Eventually, the GI’s began using dynamite to break up the jail, and Cantrell was forced to surrender. After the ballots were finally counted, five GI’s were elected to office, where they restructured the government in an attempt to prevent any future corruption in the area.

Why It’s Important That We Study History

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When most of us think back to our childhood school days, we can remember at least a handful of kids who thought history class was a drag. To them, history was just a jumble of names and dates attached to events that happened a long time ago. What was the point of learning it at all?

They didn’t know then that history was one of the most important subjects they’d ever study. Here we’ll take a closer look at why history is important and explore why everyone should make it a point to study it in depth. 

1. History helps us develop a better understanding of the world.

Understanding history helps us understand the world at large. History paints a detailed picture of how society, technology, and government worked in the past so that we can better understand how it works now. While world history might feel far away, studying history reveals how all events are connected.  It also helps us determine how to approach the future, as it allows us to learn from our past mistakes (and triumphs) as a society. 

2. History helps us understand ourselves.

To understand who you are, you need to develop a sense of self. Studying history at large can help us understand our personal history—learning where you fit into the story of your country or the global community in the grand scheme of things. History isn’t about dates, names, and events; history is about people, and history’s people tells you the story of how your nation, city, or community came to be everything that it is. It tells you where your ancestors came from and how their lives were shaped. Most importantly of all, it gives you the ability to spot (and appreciate) the legacies you may have inherited. 

3. History helps us understand other people.

History isn’t just an essential introduction to your own country, ethnic heritage, and ancestry. It’s also a valuable tool when it comes to understanding the cultural history of those who are different from us. Global, national, and regional history books help us understand how other cultures affect our own.
They encourage us to develop a greater appreciation for multicultural influences within our own communities as well – exactly why everyone should study African American history, Native American culture, immigrant history, and so forth, regardless of their own cultural background.

4. History teaches a working understanding of change.

Change can be a difficult concept to understand. Each of us has a different experience with the rest of the world – an experience shaped by societal norms, cultural differences, personal experiences, and more. We know when we as individuals crave change and why. But the study of history is a study of change, on a broader scale. History helps us better understand how, when, and why change occurs (or should be sought) by demonstrating the historical evolution of ideas, technologies, beliefs, places, and more. 

5. History helps us be decent citizens.

Good citizens are always informed citizens, and no one can consider himself to be an informed citizen without a working knowledge of history. This is the case whether we’re talking about our role in our community or to our nation overall. History helps us become better voters, develop self-awareness, participate in society, and adopt responsible public behavior. Through responsible and informed citizenship, we can better inform others as well. 

6. History makes us better decision makers.

“Those that do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” Those words were first spoken by George Santayana, and they are still very relevant today because of how true they are. You don’t need a history degree to benefit from history’s lessons—to learn from past mistakes and improve judgment. It helps us understand the many reasons why people may behave the way they do. As a result, it helps us become more compassionate as people and more impartial as decision makers. Our judicial system is a perfect example of this concept at work. 

7. History helps us develop a new level of appreciation for just about everything.

History is more than just the living record of nations, leaders, and wars. It’s also the story of us. It’s packed with tales of how someone stood up for what they believed in, or died for love, or worked hard to make their dreams come true. When we appreciate history, we appreciate the sacrifices and hard work of those who came before us. All of those things are concepts we can relate to, as could the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, or Martin Luther King.

Plus, history is just plain interesting. Everything you like about your favorite movies, television shows, and fiction novels is yours to experience right here in reality when you study history, whether in or out of a history department. Explore the possibilities today and step into a whole new world that will change who you are forever.

Discover more books from Arcadia Publishing.

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