Historical Figures
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5 Women Who Ruled New York’s Criminal Underground In 19th Century
In 19th-century New York, where poverty and overcrowding fueled crime, women formed their own gangs and became key players in the city’s criminal world. These girl gangs, often overlooked in history, were involved in everything from theft to protection rackets. Figures like “Old Mother” and Big Mary challenged the male-dominated […] More
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Jon Brower Minnoch: The Heaviest Person Ever Recorded, Weighing 1,400 Pounds
Many people dedicate years to making it into the Guinness Book of World Records, where achievements are celebrated as symbols of perseverance, resilience, and human spirit. While some records are a source of pride, others highlight the complex boundary between impressive achievement and overcoming adversity. Jon Brower Minnoch’s life is […] More
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The World’s First “Selfie,” Taken By Robert Cornelius, A Philadelphia Chemist, In 1839
In 2013, the term “selfie” made headlines when Oxford Dictionaries named it the Word of the Year. This term was widely known in 2011 but many might not know that the first selfie traced back much further, all the way to the 19th century. In 1839, Robert Cornelius, a young […] More
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Old Mother Mandelbaum: The Infamous Life Of America’s First Gangster
The rapid growth of New York City starting in 1820 set the stage for gang culture to flourish. The city was flooded with poor immigrants from various backgrounds who sought community in the chaotic urban landscape. Factors like overcrowding, poverty, and a strong sense of identity bonded these diverse groups. […] More
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Charles Ebbets Who Recorded America’s Skyline In The Making
In the past, photographers with an eye for detail played a crucial role in capturing iconic moments that shaped history. With their cameras, they froze time, allowing us to relive powerful events, from famous performances to significant social movements. These images do more than show what happened; they also capture […] More
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“Great Lady With A Camera”: Margaret Bourke-White, Who Redefined Photography
Margaret Bourke-White was a woman of firsts in the photography field. She became the first staff photographer for Fortune, the first Western photographer allowed inside the Soviet Union, and Life magazine’s first female photographer. During World War II, she broke barriers again as the first female war correspondent to work […] More
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Life In 1930s New York During The Great Depression
Old photographs serve as windows into the past, telling us the stories of our past. Each image captures a slice of time, often reflecting the struggles, joys, and resilience of people from different eras. A photograph featuring children fishing for dropped change in street grates in New York City, makes […] More
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The Inspiring Story Of Jesse Owens And His Historic Moment At The 1936 Olympics
When it comes to the greatest Olympians in history, names like Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps often come to mind, but perhaps no one made a more lasting impact than Jesse Owens. His triumph at the 1936 Berlin Olympics transcended athletics, standing as a powerful symbol against both the racial […] More
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Mary Armstrong’s Remarkable Journey To Freedom Will Amaze You
One of the most significant moments in American history occurred on January 1, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This executive order declared freedom for all enslaved individuals in Confederate-held territories. While it didn’t immediately liberate all slaves, applying only to Confederate states not under Union control, […] More
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Nina Mae McKinney: Breaking Barriers As Hollywood’s First Black Star, Overcoming Racism To Achieve Recognition
Among the Black pioneers who changed history, Nina Mae McKinney stands out. Nina Mae McKinney was an American actress who gained fame in the 1930s and postwar period in theatre, film, and television. She began her career on Broadway and in Hollywood, rising to stardom with the 1929 film “Hallelujah!”. […] More
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