Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker (December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) was a businesswoman and philanthropist who was also the first African American female self-made millionaire. Early Life Born Sarah Breedlove in 1867 on a cotton plantation near Delta, Louisiana, Walker was the daughter of formerly enslaved parents. Orphaned at just 7 years old, she married …Read More

Liberation of Rome

On June 4, 1944, the Allies liberated Rome, Italy, from the Germans, making it the first of the Axis capitals to fall during World War II. Background Following a successful invasion of Sicily, the Allies moved on mainland Italy in September 1943, with landings on both the east and west coasts of the country. As …Read More

Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill, which took place on June 17, 1775, was the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War. The main commanders were Major General William Howe on the British side, and Colonel William Prescott on the Americans’. The British were under siege in Boston, Massachusetts, so they planned to take the …Read More

U.S. Census

Background The United States census counts the nation’s population and gathers information on certain characteristics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) of people residing in the country. It takes place every 10 years, in years ending in zero. Since 1930, Census Day has been April 1st. A national census is mandated by Article I Section 2 …Read More

S2 Ep8: The Detective Suffragette, a Cornish Witch and Female Bus Conductors in WWI (International Women’s Day special)

Ahead of International Women’s Day, in this episode our stories explore different experiences and achievements of women throughout history – from the incredible story of a no-nonsense suffragist who travelled from the USA to London to investigate her two-timing husband (as reported in The Chicago Tribune, 24 August 1911) and her moment of activism recorded …Read More

Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony (February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906) was a social activist and reformer; she particularly fought for women’s suffrage but was also involved in other causes, such as temperance, abolition, and labor rights. Early Life Anthony was born in Adams, Massachusetts, as the second of seven children of Daniel and Lucy Anthony. …Read More

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (March 8) is an annual day that advocates for women’s rights and celebrates the achievements of women. Origins International Women’s Day (IWD) grew out of the labor movement of the early 20th century in the United States and Europe. The first recognized National Women’s Day was held in the United States on …Read More

S2 Ep7: Bradford Highwaymen Turned Convicts and a Robbery by a One-Armed Woman

There’s a little Antipodean flavour to some of this week’s stories – Michala takes us from a highway robbery in Bradford, England (reported in the Leeds Mercury, 30th December 1843) across the seas to Australia, tracing the fate of two men called Abraham. Not to be outdone, Brad takes the robbery theme and runs with …Read More

Leap Year

A Leap Year is a year that includes an additional span of time to synchronize the calendar year with the solar or seasonal year. Lunisolar calendars add a leap month (also called an intercalary or embolismic month) every 2-3 years, while every 4 years the modern Gregorian calendar adds a single day at the end …Read More