Culture Culture 4 min read

The power of cinema

Can a movie change a whole generation?

Image: Jakob Owens

Cinema has been, since its inception, a powerful tool to reach the hearts of audiences. A well-told story can have far more influence than many give it credit for. There have been many incredible movies made during the 20th century, but some have left a special mark on American audiences . Here are 10 films that defined their generation and influenced those to come.

1
Gone with the Wind (1939)

Image: Selznick International Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Based on Margaret Mitchell's bestselling novel of the same name, this emotional depiction of Civil War and Reconstruction-era Georgia follows the impoverished Scarlett O’Hara as she strives to overcome the reality of post-war Southern U.S .

With a massive budget and as one of the first films to use Technicolor, the movie broke attendance records and is considered to be one of the greatest American films.

2
Stagecoach (1939)

Image: United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the many Westerns directed by the legendary John Ford, Stagecoach not only cemented John Wayne as an A-list actor but also elevated the concept of the Western film.

Considered a "perfect textbook of filmmaking" by Orson Welles, its characters and plot have often been described as an extraordinary representation of American archetypes and of the nation's ongoing struggle for political equality.

3
Citizen Kane (1941)

Image: Ince Publishing Company, Inc., RKO Radio Pictures, still photographer Alexander Kahle, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Orson Welles’s first film, and considered by many to be the greatest film of all time, this semi-biographical drama follows the life of Charles Foster Kane, loosely based on several American tycoons.

Welles’s filmmaking style featured new and innovative techniques that would later become standard in the industry. Filmed in just 82 days, the film was a critical success despite being suppressed in the media.

4
12 Angry Men (1957)

Image: United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Adapted from a Reginald Rose play, this legal drama critiques the American jury system through the portrayal of 12 jurors as they deliberate whether to convict or acquit a teenager charged with murder, in a case where reasonable doubt exists.

The debate among the jurors, which leads them to question their values and morals, becomes a study of 1950s America and the dangers of mob mentality.

5
Psycho (1960)

Image: Paramount Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A horror classic by legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho follows the encounter of a secretary on the run with a disturbed mother-and-son motel owners. Despite its controversial subject matter, the film was a resounding success, becoming Hitchcock’s most financially successful movie.

Considered to be the first slasher film, it is one of the most influential horror movies of the 20th century , inspiring several sequels and remakes.

6
The Graduate (1967)

Image: Rob Bogaerts / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

An atypical romance-drama for the time, The Graduate was a success because it captured a generational break with its anti-heroic main character, who was disillusioned with the prior generation’s worldview.

Supported by innovative film techniques and featuring several Simon & Garfunkel songs, the film changed how music and marketing were used in cinema.

7
All the President’s Men (1976)

Image: David from Washington, DC, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Based on the Watergate scandal and the journalists who investigated it, this film is considered a landmark political thriller.

A massive success, both critically and commercially, All the President’s Men won four Academy Awards and is considered one of the best portrayals of investigative journalism .

8
The Breakfast Club (1985)

Image: Aiden Sorabji

One of the most influential teenage movies of its time, The Breakfast Club was a huge success despite its low budget and limited production.

Its deconstruction of the mainstream high school stereotypes, along with its discussion of adolescent concerns and insecurities, made the film an all-time classic coming-of-age story.

9
Schindler's List (1993)

Image: Vitalii Kyktov

Based on the life of Oskar Schindler, a German factory owner who saved the lives of thousands of Jews during World War II, Schindler's List is considered a cinematic masterpiece that depicts a harrowing story with compassion and humanity.

A resounding critical and commercial success, the film has been praised by survivors and scholars alike for its role in raising global awareness of the Holocaust.

10
Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Image: Helene C. Stikkel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Following a group of soldiers on a mission to locate and retrieve the last surviving son of a family during World War II, this film was praised for its authenticity, especially its opening sequence depicting the Omaha Beach landing on D-Day.

Widely considered to have redefined the war film genre , Saving Private Ryan distanced itself from other movies that glorified and idealized World War II, showcasing the suffering and struggles of individuals during the conflict.

Culture Culture 6 min read

Wives of democracy

From Martha Washington to Melania Trump: 10 facts about the First Ladies

Image: Florida Memory / Cristina Staver

The contributions of America’s First Ladies are often overlooked. But every woman who has held the role has left a meaningful mark on the nation’s history. For that reason, we have decided to commemorate 10 First Ladies by bringing to the spotlight their achievements, their marriages, and their many strengths. While we would love to feature every single First Lady in this article, we would need much more space to do so. However, these 10 iconic women are often referred to as examples of the amazing characteristics that all First Ladies share. Without further ado, enjoy!

1
Martha Washington

Image: Boston Public Library, CC BY 2.0

Let’s begin with the inaugural first lady of our country. In May 1789, Martha Washington inaugurated the role of First Lady of the United States when she arrived in New York City to meet her husband, George Washington. Interestingly, the name "First Lady" wouldn’t be used until some time later. Instead, Martha was simply referred to as "Lady Washington".

As you would expect, Martha Washington installed practices that went on to become traditions held by many future First Ladies, including receptions to the general public on New Year’s Eve. Furthermore, President Washington asked Martha to hold special drawing room events at their residence. These social gatherings became instrumental in forming what was known as the "Republican Court" , an influential group of American intellectuals and politicians.

2
Rosalynn Carter

Image: Tatiana V. Konokotina, CC BY 4.0

According to Rosalynn Carter , she first became attracted to her husband, future president Jimmy Carter, when she saw him in a photograph dressed in his U.S. Navy uniform. What followed is a long and prosperous love story, which only ended in 2023 after Rosalynn passed away at the age of 96 years old.

During her tenure as First Lady, Rosalynn became an advocate for mental health and women’s rights, and she continued to support these causes through her work in the Carter Center. Both Rosalyn and President Carter were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999.

3
Barbara Bush

Image: NIAID, CC BY 2.0

Few First Ladies hold the honor of being both the wife and the mother of a U.S. President, and Barbara Bush is one of them. She served as the First Lady during the presidency of George H. W. Bush, who acted as the 41st U.S. President from 1989 to 1993.

Although she presented herself in an almost apolitical manner, Barbara often engaged in charity work, most notably in campaigns to fight illiteracy. After her husband’s presidency ended, she continued to work in campaigning for her sons, including our 43rd President, George W. Bush.

4
Eleanor Roosevelt

Image: FDR Presidential Library & Museum, CC BY 2.0

Eleanor Roosevelt is remembered as the longest-serving First Lady in U.S. history. However, the legacy of this amazing figure is not limited to this fact. Roosevelt is considered to be one of the most groundbreaking First Ladies in history, completely revolutionizing the function.

Roosevelt took an active role during her husband’s terms, actively engaging in public events, travels, and cultural activities. Not only that, she was instrumental in President Roosevelt’s involvement with the then-newly formed United Nations. Eleanor served as a delegate to the U.N. General Assembly, acting as the leading figure behind the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

5
Nancy Reagan

Image: Bill Varie, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0

Just like her husband, Nancy Reagan’s career before the White House was filled with the glamour and excitement of Hollywood. Between the 1940s and 1950s, she starred in several blockbusters such as "The Next Voice You Hear...", "Night into Morning", and "Donovan ’ s Brain", acting under her maiden name, Nancy Davis.

In 1952, she married then-fellow actor Ronald Reagan, the president of the Screen Actors Guild at the time. Nancy first served as First Lady of California when her husband was governor of the state, and later on as First Lady of the country in 1981.

6
Lady Bird Johnson

Image: City of Boston Archives from West Roxbury, United States, CC BY 2.0

Some First Ladies (although not many) are better known by their nicknames, and that’s certainly the case with " Lady Bird" Johnson . Born Claudia Alta Taylor in Karnack, Texas, this First Lady’s nickname comes from the fact that her nursemaid apparently stated that young Claudia was "as pretty as a ladybird".

When she was in her early 20s, Lady Bird met a young congressional aide named Lyndon B. Johnson after a mutual friend introduced them. The First Lady would later declare that she felt "like a moth drawn to a flame" on that first meeting. A few weeks after their first dates, the couple married and went on to have two daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines.

7
Jackie Kennedy

Image: Florida Memory

For many Americans, First Ladies are the pinnacle of glamour. Their impeccable manners and warm personalities perfectly match their classy outfits. In that sense, Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy is considered to this day an international icon, known for her daring yet elegant attire and her devotion to their family and her country.

Jackie met President Kennedy, then U.S. Representative for Massachusetts, at a dinner party held by journalist Charles L. Bartlett. A year later, in 1953, the couple married in an event that was listed as the social event of the season. Jackie took a rather active role in her duties as First Lady. She conducted a massive restoration process of the White House and often joined her husband on many trips abroad, becoming a beloved cultural ambassador for America.

8
Hillary Clinton

Image: Hillary for Iowa, CC BY 2.0

Hillary Clinton is definitively the person on this list with the most political experience. She was Secretary of State, Senator for the State of New York, and presidential candidate. However, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that she dutifully served as First Lady of the United States while her husband was in the White House.

While the world knew her as Hillary Rodham, she entered Yale Law School in the early 70s, where she met a fellow law student by the name of William "Bill" Clinton. They married in 1975 and welcomed their only daughter, Chelsea, in 1980.

9
Michelle Obama

Image: Tim Pierce from Berlin, MA, USA, CC BY 2.0

Following her graduation from Princeton University, a young lawyer by the name of Michelle LaVaughn Robinson started working in a Chicago law firm, focusing on marketing and intellectual property law. During her time in this office, she met another young lawyer named Barack Obama. Did any of them know that they were meeting their future spouse?

Let’s now jump to the year 2009: Barack Obama was the first African-American President of our country, and Michelle Obama became the First Lady of the United States. During her time in the White House, Michelle took a stand against many difficulties, like poverty, childhood obesity, and illiteracy.

10
Betty Ford

Image: Image courtesy of Betty Ford Center, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Ford assumed the role of Second Lady when her husband, Gerald Ford, served as Vice President to Richard Nixon (1973-1974), and she became the First Lady when Nixon resigned from the presidency in August 1974.

However unexpected her rise to the role was, Betty Ford is fondly remembered as one of the most courageous First Ladies of our country; she was not afraid to speak her mind and get involved in politics. During her time in the White House, she became known as a passionate defender of the Equal Rights Amendment, as well as a public spokesperson for breast cancer awareness.

Geography Geography 5 min read

Long-held misconceptions

Maine isn't where we thought it was, and 9 other truths about states

Image: Megan Clark

How can Canada be south of the United States? Is the Statue of Liberty really in New York? It turns out many of the "facts" Americans grew up learning in school aren’t completely true. From states that aren’t where you think they are to maps that wildly distort size and distance, these 10 geography myths will make you see the United States in a totally different way.

1
Where is the Statue of Liberty really located?

Image: Pierre Blaché

Most of us have always associated the Statue of Liberty with New York City. It’s on postcards, movies, souvenirs, and more. But technically, the famous statue stands in New Jersey’s waters.

The statue itself sits on Liberty Island, which legally belongs to New York, even though it’s actually closer to Jersey City than to Manhattan. Under an 1834 agreement between the two states, New York kept ownership of Liberty and Ellis Islands, while New Jersey retained control of the surrounding waters. So while the Statue of Liberty is officially New York property, it’s technically sitting on New Jersey’s side, something that still surprises many Americans today.

2
Canada is not always north

Image: Floris Siegers

Because of the way maps have always looked to us, most Americans grow up thinking you always have to travel north to reach Canada; we even call it "our neighbor to the north." For almost everyone, that’s true… except the people in Detroit, Michigan.

Thanks to the curve of the Detroit River and the city’s unusual location, the Canadian city of Windsor actually sits south of Detroit. That means when drivers cross the bridge from Detroit into Canada, their compass literally points south, even though they’re entering "The Great White North."

3
Daylight Saving Time isn't for everyone

Image: stefan moertl

Most Americans are used to Daylight Saving Time: clocks move forward one hour on the second Sunday in March and back again on the first Sunday in November. But two "rebel" states refuse to follow the rest of the country.

We’re talking about Hawaii and Arizona, which stay on Standard Time year-round. Hawaii skips Daylight Saving Time because its tropical location means daylight hours barely change between summer and winter. Arizona, meanwhile (except for the Navajo Nation), stopped observing it in 1968 because of the state’s extreme desert heat. During a 1967 trial run, they found that an extra hour of evening sunlight actually increased energy use, so Arizona decided it simply wasn’t worth it.

4
Maps distort Alaska

Image: Richard N Horne, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For generations, the maps hanging in American classrooms have tricked us about the true size of Alaska.

On many US maps, Alaska is squeezed into a small box in the corner, making it seem only slightly bigger than states like Texas or California. But the reality is shocking: Alaska covers about 663,300 square miles, making it so enormous that you could fit Texas, California, and Montana combined inside it. The distortion happens because flat maps shrink and compress distant areas to make them fit neatly on the page. In real life, though, "The Last Frontier" is far more vast than we think.

5
Maine is not located where we thought

Image: Mercedes Mehling

If someone asked, "Which is the easternmost US state?" most Americans would probably answer Maine without even thinking twice. But surprisingly, that’s not actually correct.

While it’s true that Maine is the easternmost state in the contiguous US, when all 50 states are included, the answer surprises many: the easternmost state is actually Alaska. How is that possible? It turns out that Alaska’s Aleutian Islands stretch so far west that they cross the 180th meridian into the Eastern Hemisphere, meaning part of Alaska is technically farther east than Maine.

6
Is California always west of Nevada?

Image: shutterstock

If you were standing in California and needed to travel to Nevada, you’d probably assume you’d have to head east. But geography has a surprise here, too.

Believe it or not, Reno is actually about 86 miles farther west than Los Angeles. But how could a city in Nevada be farther west than a city on the Pacific coast? The answer is in California’s curved coastline. Because the coast bends inward so dramatically, Los Angeles sits farther east than most people realize, while Reno stretches surprisingly far west.

7
Not all deserts are hot

Image: shutterstock

When most Americans picture a desert, they imagine blazing sun and unbearable heat, but not all deserts in the US fit that image.

The huge Great Basin Desert, which stretches across much of Nevada and parts of Utah, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming, is classified as a cold desert. In fact, during winter, its temperatures can plunge below freezing, with heavy snowfall covering the landscape. The lowest official temperature ever recorded in the area was on January 8, 1937: an incredible -50 °F.

8
Almost all of the US is privately owned

Image: Yina Li

Many of us grew up assuming that most land in the United States is privately owned. And in much of the East, that idea is accurate. But for the West, the reality is different.

In the Western United States, about 47% of the land is owned by the federal government . And when you add state-owned land, the share of public land becomes even larger. Some states are especially striking: in Nevada, about 87% of the land is public, while in Utah, it’s around 75% .

9
The most populous state

Image: Luca Bravo

The incredible New York City is the most populous in the United States, with about 8.48 million residents, and there’s no doubt about that. Maybe that’s why many people naturally assume the state of New York is also the most populated, but it isn’t.

That distinction actually belongs to the state of California, with around 39.35 million residents , compared to roughly 20 million in New York state.

10
Which state is closest to Africa?

Image: Kristin Wilson

As we’ve seen, flat maps can distort how we think about distance and size. Because of that, many Americans assume Florida is the US state closest to Africa. But that’s actually not true.

Because of the Earth’s curvature, the US state closest to Africa is actually Maine. The northeastern tip at Quoddy Head is about 3,154 miles from El Beddouza, Morocco. By comparison, Florida’s eastern edge (around Singer Island) is roughly 4,085 miles from the African coast near Guerguerat, Western Sahara.

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