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Christmas gifts were all about grown-ups, in post-war America

Dec 16, 2016
Sarah Archer explores Christmas gift giving in post-war America in her book, "Midcentury Christmas."
A holiday advertisement for Westinghouse, 1950s. Reproduced with permission.
CBS Corporation

How this woman went from nurse to inventor

Dec 9, 2016
Bessie Blount Griffin cared for soldiers who lost limbs and was inspired to invent a special tool for them.
An illustration of Bessie Blount Griffin, American nurse and inventor. 
Sophia Foster-Domino

Post-war economic prosperity increased America’s interest in Christmas decor

Dec 2, 2016
Sarah Archer explores economic prosperity in post-war America in her book, "Midcentury Christmas."
A New Year's card issued in the USSR between the 1960s and 1970s.
Courtesy Sarah Archer

Christmas time during WWII, Americans were encouraged to ‘Make do and Mend’

Nov 24, 2016
Sarah Archer explores the material culture of Christmas in post-war America in her book, "Midcentury Christmas."
A Office for Emergency Management War Production Board poster and a window display at Marshall Field & Company, circa 1943.
National Archives and Records Administration, Chicago History Museum

Japan and South Korea finally resolve 'comfort women' dispute

Dec 28, 2015
Japan is apologizing for its use of Korean sex slaves during World War II.

My First Job: Rosie the Riveter

Jun 9, 2015
Marian Sousa's first job was in a WWII shipyard.