In 1831, the French political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville visited the United States. The book which resulted from his nine-month journey through the young country, Democracy in America, is still read today. Although Tocqueville’s main goal was to describe America’s democratic system of government, he also had much to say about the places he visited. One of those places was New …
Resolving Conflict
On Wednesday, March 14, many students around the United States gathered in protest. Thousands were protesting what many see as a troublesome rise of gun-related violence. Many young people feel that political leaders are not doing enough to address this problem. Since young people often look to adults to help resolve conflicts, it can be confusing when adults seem to …
U.S. Skater Makes Olympics History
This week, people around the world have been watching the 2018 Winter Olympics. Pyeongchang, South Korea, is the site of this year’s games. Pyeongchang is a county located about 110 miles east of South Korea’s capital, Seoul. The area’s motto is “Happy 700,” which refers to the fact that Pyeongchang is 700 meters (2,297 feet) above sea level. Because of …
Happy Birthday, Fiona!
Fiona the hippopotamus is an animal celebrity. On January 24, Fiona celebrated her first birthday at her home, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Ohio. Her birthday party was watched by thousands of fans when it was broadcast on the social media site Facebook. Fiona came to the world’s attention in 2017, when she was born at the zoo …
A Chilly Start to 2018
It’s cold—very cold. As 2018 begins, the United States is experiencing record cold weather. On New Year’s Day, Aberdeen, South Dakota, reported a record low temperature of 32 degrees below zero. In Des Moines, Iowa, the weather was so cold local officials closed a downtown ice-skating rink until temperatures rose above zero. Southern states were affected as well. On January …
Feminism: The Word of the Year
Syzygy? Dotard? Recuse? Do you know what these words mean? If not, you are not alone. These are three of the top ten words people looked up on Merriam-Webster Dictionary website in 2017. The most searched for word on Merriam-Webster’s site for 2017 is feminism. It made it to the top of the list after it was looked-up 70 percent more often …
Singer Sets Record for Highest Note
We are fascinated by someone who can do something that most people cannot do. One area in which people can surpass their peers is in setting records for something that is the highest ever. Evan Ungar holds the record for the highest standing jump. In 2016, from a standing position, Ungar jumped 5.3 feet into the air. In 2014, Alan Eustace rode a gas balloon to …
Delhi’s Pollution Crisis
People in Delhi, India’s capital, have had to cope with unusually high levels of air pollution this November. People tie scarves over their faces to filter the dirty air. Thick smog makes it difficult to see. The visibility has been so poor that in one morning alone, over 20 people were injured in car accidents on Delhi’s busy Yamuna Expressway. …
Giving Young People the Right to Vote
On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, American voters will go to the polls. Unlike the 2016 national election, this time, voters will not be asked to select a president or members of Congress. Voters in New Jersey and Virginia will have the opportunity to vote for their states’ governors. The cities of Cincinnati, Ohio; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and St. Petersburg, Florida are …
Artists Chosen to Paint Obamas’ Portraits
The Smithsonian Institution National Portrait Gallery has announced that it has commissioned official portraits of former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. At the end of a presidency, the museum and the White House commission official portraits of both the president and his spouse. Two sets of portraits are commissioned. One is in the White House; the other remains in the National Portrait Gallery. . . .