Merrill Fabry

Recent Articles

Now You Know: Why Are There Two Dakotas?

Because different population sizes, trade routes and politics meant the two halves didn't really like each other

By Merrill Fabry

What to Know About the History of the Fed's Beige Book

It wasn't always beige

By Merrill Fabry

This Is How the HIV Test Was Invented

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

By Merrill Fabry

Now You Know: How Did Long Hair Become a Thing for Women?

The convention goes back to ancient times, when Roman men were judged harshly for having hair that required extra attention

By Merrill Fabry

Now You Know: What Happens If the President Gets Drunk?

As it turns out, not much.

By Merrill Fabry

See Historical Photographs From Canada's Stunning National Parks

Canada's national parks system had its official birthday 105 years ago, on May 19, 1911

By Merrill Fabry and Liz Ronk

Now You Know: Where Was the Original 'Smoke-Filled Room'?

It was in Chicago, the location of the 1920 Republican Party convention

By Merrill Fabry

The Long History Behind Your Favorite Celebrity Commencement Speech

In recent decades, academics have ceded some ground to celebrity speakers

By Merrill Fabry

Defending Vibrant City Life: Jane Jacobs at 100

Her book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, challenged the accepted wisdom of urban planners

By Merrill Fabry

This Is Why Cars Have License Plates

On April 25, 1901—115 years ago—New York became the first state to require them

By Merrill Fabry

What Happened the First Time a Pope Visited a Synagogue

John Paul II's Apr. 13, 1986, visit to Rome's Great Synagogue was the first of its kind

By Merrill Fabry

The Murky History of the Ice Cream Cone

Were they really invented at the 1904 World's Fair? Probably not

By Merrill Fabry

The Story Behind America's First Commercial Computer

The U.S. Census Bureau signed a contract for it on Mar. 31, 1951

By Merrill Fabry

The 'Renegade' Woman Who Sorted the Stars

Antonia Maury was born 150 years ago, on Mar. 21, 1866

By Merrill Fabry

Now You Know: What Really Happened on the Ides of March?

Caesar was stabbed 23 times

By Merrill Fabry

The Law That Started the New Deal

It was signed on Mar. 9, 1933

By Merrill Fabry

The Tangled History of Leap Years

What day is it anyway?

By Merrill Fabry

The Surprising True History Behind 'The Witch'

The real witch trials of the 17th century were complicated affairs

By Merrill Fabry

Valentine's Day Backlash Is Older Than You Think

It's been an occasion for romance since the 1400s (and hated since at least the 1840s)

By Merrill Fabry

This Is How the National Prayer Breakfast Got Its Start

President Eisenhower attended the first one in 1953

By Merrill Fabry
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