Books and Ideas

July 12, 1984: Walter Mondale Announces Geraldine Ferraro as the Democratic Vice-Presidential Candidate

July 12, 1984: Walter Mondale Announces Geraldine Ferraro as the Democratic Vice-Presidential Candidate July 12, 1984: Walter Mondale Announces Geraldine Ferraro as the Democratic Vice-Presidential Candidate

“Her prominent role in a Mondale Administration would secure more attention for the feminist agenda.”

Jul 12, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

July 11, 1937: George Gershwin Dies

July 11, 1937: George Gershwin Dies July 11, 1937: George Gershwin Dies

“More than any other one person, George Gershwin has reminded his hearers that the division between good and bad cuts across all others.”

Jul 11, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

John Scopes

July 10, 1925: The Scopes Trial Begins in Tennessee July 10, 1925: The Scopes Trial Begins in Tennessee

“The Old Testament, to them, is not a mere sacerdotal whizz-bang, to be read for its pornography; it is an authoritative history.”

Jul 10, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

Rudy Giuliani Stands to Make a Lot of Money Off El Salvador’s Crime

Rudy Giuliani Stands to Make a Lot of Money Off El Salvador’s Crime Rudy Giuliani Stands to Make a Lot of Money Off El Salvador’s Crime

His twisted plan for combatting crime in Central America will lead to increased police repression and increased private investment payouts.

Jul 9, 2015 / Greg Grandin

William Jennings Bryan

July 9, 1896: William Jennings Bryan Delivers ‘Cross of Gold’ Speech July 9, 1896: William Jennings Bryan Delivers ‘Cross of Gold’ Speech

“His speech to the convention was an appeal to one of the worst instincts of the human heart—that of getting possession of other people’s property without the owners’ consent.”

Jul 9, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

The Wall Street Journal

July 8, 1889: The First Issue of ‘The Wall Street Journal’ Is Published July 8, 1889: The First Issue of ‘The Wall Street Journal’ Is Published

What makes it a “fascinating organ”?

Jul 8, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

US Military Captain Waving the Confederate Flag

What Was the Confederate Flag Doing in Cuba, Vietnam, and Iraq? What Was the Confederate Flag Doing in Cuba, Vietnam, and Iraq?

The Confederate flag’s military tenure continued long after the Civil War ended.

Jul 7, 2015 / Greg Grandin

Sandra Day O'Connor

July 7, 1981: Reagan Nominates Sandra Day O’Connor for the Supreme Court July 7, 1981: Reagan Nominates Sandra Day O’Connor for the Supreme Court

"For the highest court in the land he has picked a person, barely qualified for the post, almost entirely because of her sex."

Jul 7, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

E.L. Godkin

July 6, 1865: The First Issue of ‘The Nation’ Is Published July 6, 1865: The First Issue of ‘The Nation’ Is Published

“The week has been singularly barren of exciting events.”

Jul 6, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

Frederick Law Olmsted

What Would Our Founder, Frederick Law Olmsted, Think of TheNation.com? What Would Our Founder, Frederick Law Olmsted, Think of TheNation.com?

Olmsted’s original mission statement for The Nation ridiculed daily newspapers in language that applies to much Internet journalism today.

Jul 6, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

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