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History
A brief history of the s'more, America's favorite campfire snack
Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University
The gooey summer treat couldn't have become popularized without the 19th-century technological advances that brought sweets to the masses.
Frederick Douglass, July 4th, and remembering Babylon in America
David W. Stowe, Michigan State University
Frederick Douglass used the words of Psalm 137 in his famous speech, 'What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?' For centuries, this poem has resonated with American writers and composers, with its meditation on humans dealing with the trauma of history. [Updating a couple of date references]
How Spam became one of the most iconic American brands of all time
Ayalla A. Ruvio, Michigan State University
Eighty years ago, Hormel Foods introduced a simple, canned meat product called Spam. It would go on to become one of the greatest marketing success stories of all time.
Why Abraham Lincoln is an icon for Republicans and Democrats alike
Shawn Parry-Giles, University of Maryland and David Kaufer, Carnegie Mellon University
Even Trump has paid his respects to Lincoln as an emblem of unity.
Dr. Franklin, I presume? The founder who could have been our "founding physician"
H W Brands, University of Texas at Austin
Benjamin Franklin was the most famous man of his era not only because of his role in founding our country. He had a keen interest in health, with many ideas that hold up today.
In America's sandwiches, the story of a nation
Paul Freedman, Yale University; Andrew P. Haley, The University of Southern Mississippi; Imogene L. Lim, Vancouver Island University; Ken Albala, University of the Pacific, and Megan Elias, Boston University
Five food experts peer under the bread to plumb the histories of the country's unique sandwiches, from favorites like tuna fish to lesser-known fare like the woodcock.
Likely for Friday: Route 66 and the rise and fall of the towns along it. A historian looks at how the recent designation of the historic highway as a landmark might help towns like Peach Springs, Arizona blossom again.
July 4 activities
America's dangerous love for pyrotechnics: 4 facts about fireworks [Updated version with this year's stats to publish by Friday]
Jay L. Zagorsky, The Ohio State University
Every American shoots off almost a pound of fireworks a year, on average, and their growing personal use is causing injuries to climb.
How do the chemicals in sunscreen protect our skin from damage?
Kerry Hanson, University of California, Riverside
Energy from the sun's rays can cause skin damage and cancers. Sunscreens can absorb or reflect the dangerous UV light. Here's everything you need to know to read the labels in the sunscreen aisle.
Making a cleaner, greener, environmentally safe sunscreen
Yousong Ding, University of Florida
Scientists have discovered a natural sunscreen –made by microbes – that may be better for humans and the marine critters they are hoping to see.
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