Celebrating the wit of 'Silent Cal' Coolidge

Climate change is putting food safety at risk more often, and not just at picnics and parties

Elena N. Naumova, Tufts University

Climate change has a clear link to rising foodborne illnesses. An epidemiologist explains a growing problem that puts lives at risk.

Decades after Brown v. Board, US schools still struggle with segregation – 4 essential reads

Jeff Inglis, The Conversation

The effort to give every student equal access to an education has lasted decades and may need even more time before the goal is reached.

Yes, fireworks prices are skyrocketing, but there should be plenty of bottle rockets and sparklers for you and your family this Fourth of July

Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University

The latest data shows imports of bottle rockets, sparklers and other fireworks at a record pace, even as consumer demand appears likely to wane. That could create opportunities for patient revelers.

Frederick Douglass, July 4th, and remembering Babylon in America

David W. Stowe, Michigan State University

Frederick Douglass used the words of Psalm 137 in his famous speech, ‘What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?’ For centuries, this poem has resonated with writers and composers on how humans deal with trauma.

Red, white but rarely blue – the science of fireworks colors, explained

Paul E. Smith, Purdue University

Most of us look forward to the fireworks on the Fourth of July. But did you ever wonder how the chemists create those colors that light up the night sky? Are some colors harder to create than others?

The Declaration of Independence wasn’t really complaining about King George, and 5 other surprising facts for July Fourth

Woody Holton, University of South Carolina

A scholar of early US history celebrates the country’s birthday with six under-appreciated ideas about the founding document.

A brief history of the s'more, America’s favorite campfire snack

Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University

The gooey treat couldn’t have become popularized without the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, which brought cheap sweets to the masses.

How the music of an ancient rock painting was brought to life

Higgs boson: ten years after its discovery, why this particle could unlock new physics beyond the standard model

Why Ms. Marvel matters so much to Muslim, South Asian fans