The author says Rhode Island's direct military role in the American Revolution was limited, but its unique history of individual freedom inspired the nation.

“Civilization,” H.L. Mencken wrote in 1918, “grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical ...

What is the meaning of Christmas? Celebrating the birth of Jesus? Exchanging presents? Feasting with family and friends? Enjoying the festive atmosphere? Decorating and baking? Performing acts of ...

(The Conversation) — In some ways, Thanksgiving is a tradition that unites Americans. But the classic image of the Pilgrims obscures important parts of the country’s story. (The Conversation) — Nine ...

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in ...

And the Puritans, as a matter of fact, used both wine and tobacco — both men and women. If Puritanism means reaction in favor of obsolete standards, our contemporary Puritans will repeal the obnoxious ...

Writing about “Woke” has at least two pitfalls. One is that any criticism of its excesses provokes accusations of racism, xenophobia, transphobia, misogyny, or white supremacy. The other problem is ...

Jennifer Longo is an author with Random House Books, 2021 Washington State Book Award recipient and 2022 Iowa Book Award winner for her novel “What I Carry.” Her novels “Six Feet Over It” and “Up to ...

Jane Borden's "Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America" develops a simple thesis: The English Pilgrims who famously landed at Plymouth Rock were essentially a doomsday cult — even if they ...

Immigrants who journey to the United States for a better life often say they are coming in search of the American dream. But many people in the U.S. — immigrants and natural-born citizens alike — now ...

For much of our history Americans have been enchanted by a fable of their own invention: that we are one people, that “America” means more or less the same thing to us all. If it has done nothing else ...