Tara Blair 
As dawn rose on December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, two brothers—Orville and Wilbur Wright—were disappointed in the weather. Bitter cold winds whipped up the sands at a stinging 27 miles per hour, and the temperature had plummeted far past “pleasantly crisp” into sub-freezing. The Wright brothers and their determination to achieve the … Read more
| By Gale Staff | The U.S. Constitution begins with three of the most famous words in our nation’s history: “We the people.” These three words were carefully designed to reaffirm the position of the U.S. government in the hands of its citizens. Despite the Constitution’s clear separation of authoritative powers, early Americans wanted a … Read more
| By Gale Staff | Halloween may be over, but why not stick to the spookier lesson plans a little longer? After all, November 8 marks the birthday of legendary author Bram Stoker. Best known for his novel Dracula, Stoker has had an immeasurable influence on popular culture and remains a literary legend. Using Gale … Read more
Thanksgiving is essential to the traditional American ethos. Its customs and culinary staples are intimately linked with our national identity. Thanksgiving symbols are so pervasive in American culture that the president even pardons a turkey in a formal ceremony each year. Our understanding of the holiday has evolved with time. There’s no proof that the … Read more
| By Gale Staff | The premise of universal basic income (UBI) is simple: Provide every citizen with regular, unconditional payments to ensure they have a degree of guaranteed financial security. A 2019 study found that 43% of U.S. respondents support UBI, but the breakdown of this data reveals more intriguing insights. Support is highest … Read more
| By Gale Staff | During a presidential election season, there’s a staggering amount of online content covering candidates, polling data, debates, and more. Finding reliable, student-focused resources that fit your instructional needs can be a challenge. Compiled here is a list of relevant content for educators and librarians seeking U.S. election resources available for … Read more
| By Gale Staff | The debate over healthcare reform in the United States is not new, but it remains one of the most divisive political topics today. Despite spending more than $4.5 trillion on healthcare in 2022—nearly double the per capita spending of other industrialized nations—the U.S. remains one of the only developed countries … Read more
| By Gale Staff | Mark Twain is a pinnacle figure in American literature. He was a novelist and travel writer best known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. His social commentaries defined the early American experience, and his literary legacy endures through generations of readers. While most people … Read more
| By Gale Staff | From Hollywood to history books, the stories of Native Americans have long been marginalized, misrepresented, and misunderstood. Observed each November, Native American Heritage Month asks that we actively challenge this imbalance through recognition of the “significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.” In … Read more
| By Gale Staff | Do you remember the first time you picked up a Jane Austen novel? Her stories have remained widely read and relevant for centuries. There are more than 17 film adaptations of Pride and Prejudice alone—and plenty of quirky reimaginings, such as the popular 2009 novel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. … Read more