Journalism

Colonel Tom Parker—the title was awarded to him by Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis in 1948 for political services rendered—claimed until 1982 to have been born in West Virginia. In fact he was a Dutchman, and the circumstances under which he left the Netherlands in 1929 remain a puzzle to this day.

Colonel Parker Managed Elvis’ Career, but Was He a Killer on the Lam?

The man who brought The King to global fame kept his own past secret. But what exactly was Tom Parker hiding?

None

How Newspapers Reported the Civil War

A collection of historic front pages shows how civilians experienced and read about the war

Coya Knutson campaigning for Congress

Friends in the House, Hostility at Home

Coya Knutson won a seat in the U.S. House in 1954 but was undone by a secret she brought to Washington

Upon his arrest for murder, Roscoe Arbuckle was booked into custody and denied bail.

The Skinny on the Fatty Arbuckle Trial

When the million-dollar movie comedian faced a manslaughter charge, the jury was indeed scandalized—at how his reputation had been trashed

Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity and the Roots of Faked Footage

The horror movie franchise is just the latest in a long history of movies using so-called "recovered" films

Making a case for war: Greer Garson in Mrs. Miniver.

Mixing Movies and Politics

From Mrs. Miniver to Avatar, how big studio films have influenced public opinion

The Indian-detour (1926)

Out Where the West Begins

A new boxed DVD set examines the history of the West in films

Paul Robeson, in 1942, leads Oakland shipyard workers in the singing of the National Anthem

What Paul Robeson Said

Pablo Fanque: expert equestrian, tightrope walker, acrobat, showman–and Britain's first black circus owner.

Pablo Fanque’s Fair

The showman whom John Lennon immortalized in song was a real performer—a master horseman and Britain's first black circus owner

Squeak the Squirrel one of the many educational films available for free online

Where to Find Old Films Online, Streamed Legally and for Free

Thousands of fascinating films are available for free streaming and download, if you know where to look

Ty Cobb

The Knife in Ty Cobb’s Back

Did the baseball great really confess to murder on his deathbed?

Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering his famous speech

Screening “I Have a Dream”

It may be difficult to view the entire 17-minute speech online, but two films were made about the March on Washington that highlight that momentous day

O. O. McIntyre's daily column about the city, "New York Day by Day," ran in more than 500 newspapers throughout the United States.

Odd McIntyre: The Man Who Taught America About New York

For millions of people, their only knowledge about New York City was O.O. McIntyre’s daily column about life in the Big Apple

From manifest destiny to Santa Claus, newspaper editorials have captured the country's attention throughout history.

Top 10 Unforgettable Editorials

These editorial voices rose above the America clamor with words we will never forget

The Journal-American newsroom typified its time: crowded, messy and organized—like the floor of a factory—to get the news out as quickly as possible.

The Newsroom Rush of Old

Newsrooms may look different today, but their need for speed never wavers

Michelle Nijius is a science and environmental journalist. She is the author of "The Cahaba: A River of Riches."

Michelle Nijhuis on “River of Riches”

Sylvia Pagán Westphal is the author of "High Hopes for a New Kind of Gene."

Sylvia Pagán Westphal on “High Hopes for a New Kind of Gene”

Elizabeth Rusch is the author of "Catching a Wave."

Elizabeth Rusch on “Catching a Wave”

Arthur Lubow is the author of "On the March."

Arthur Lubow on “On the March”

Richard Conniff has been writing for Smithsonian magazine since 1982. His latest work is titled, "Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals."

Richard Conniff’s Wildlife Writing

International journalist Richard Conniff has reported on animals that fly, swim, crawl and leap in his 40 years of writing

Page 9 of 11