Lesley Kennedy
- Director, Publications and Digital Content, National Conference of State Legislatures
- Contributor, The History Channel
Denver
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Articles by Lesley Kennedy
The 1868 Law That Made Moonshine Illegal
Despite obstacles, Americans have been distilling liquor at home for centuries. Published: October 28, 2026Last Updated: October 28, 2026 Long before moonshine flowed from hidden stills deep in the Appalachian woods, at-home liquor distilling was an ordinary part of rural American life.
The Surprising Inspiration Behind 7 Classic Halloween Songs
For these enduring hit songs, creating a scary tune for Halloween was not always the goal. Charlie Gillett/Redferns Published: October 21, 2026Last Updated: October 21, 2026 Halloween playlists are now as much a part of October as costumes and trick-or-treating. As the holiday became a family-friendly celebration in mid-20th-century America, musicians embraced monsters, ghosts and supernatural themes, often with humor rather than horror.
Who Invented Doughnuts?
Fried dough dates back thousands of years. But who invented the doughnut hole? Getty Images Published: September 29, 2026Last Updated: September 29, 2026 From ancient fried dough to Dutch oil cakes to World War I trenches, the history of the doughnut is filled with twists, but naming a specific inventor leaves more than a few holes in the story. People around the world have been frying dough for centuries, says Michael Krondl, author of The Donut: History, Recipes and Lore from Boston to Berlin.
How Long Have US Presidents Appeared on Coins?
Americans didn’t see their leaders on money until the early 20th century. In the early 20th century, Abraham Lincoln became the first U.S. president to appear on an American coin. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Published: September 08, 2026Last Updated: September 08, 2026 For much of U.S. history, coins did not show presidents. Early lawmakers wanted American money to look different from European coins, which often showed kings or queens.
How Americans Reinvented the Ancient Pastime of Bowling
Ninepins, Gambling and a Crackdown in Connecticut Washington Irving famously described “odd-looking personages playing at ninepins” in his 1819 short story Rip Van Winkle, one of the earliest references to bowling in the United States. “Nothing interrupted the stillness of the scene but the noise of the balls, which, whenever they were rolled, echoed along the mountains like rumbling peals of thunder,” he wrote. But ninepins soon developed a reputation for vice.
Key Moments in the Kennedy Center’s History: Photos
The Washington, D.C., performing arts center has been one of the United States’ preeminent cultural institutions since the 1970s. Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images Published: August 19, 2026Last Updated: August 19, 2026 For more than 50 years, the Kennedy Center has served as a national home for the performing arts—an institution shaped in part by Cold War politics and sustained by bipartisan support.
10 Fashion Trends That Will Transport You Back to the '90s
Revisit the spirit of the '90s from grunge to glam. Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash in 'Clueless.' Alamy Stock Photo Published: August 18, 2026Last Updated: August 18, 2026 The 1990s were filled with clashing fashion trends: slip dresses and sequins, grunge and glamour, mall staples alongside high-end designer labels. It was also a time of rapid change in technology and entertainment.
11 Objects That Defined Summer Fun, Decade by Decade
Every generation has its quintessential summer symbol. Published: August 07, 2026Last Updated: August 07, 2026 As technology, neighborhoods and family life have evolved, so have the ways kids spend their long summer days. “Our world has changed significantly,” Lindsey Kurano, curator of electronic games at The Strong National Museum of Play, says.
Why America’s Permanent Daylight Saving Time Experiment Failed
The 1970s energy crisis prompted year‑round daylight saving time, but the experiment was an utter disaster. Denver and other cities remained dark at 8 a.m. after permanent daylight saving time began in January 1974. Denver Post via Getty Images Published: July 20, 2026Last Updated: July 20, 2026 When the U.S. extended daylight saving time through the winter of 1974 at the height of the Arab oil embargo, lawmakers hoped to cut energy use by pushing an extra hour of daylight into late afternoons.
10 of History's Most Spectacular Weddings
These ceremonies set the gold standard for grandeur. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton on their wedding day in 1964. FilmPublicityArchive/United Arch Published: July 01, 2026Last Updated: July 01, 2026 The most famous weddings in history weren't just celebrations of love; they were grand spectacles that showcased wealth, fame, power and national pride. From medieval royal pageantry to modern media frenzies, here are 10 weddings that stood out for their size and attention.
Why Joan of Arc Was Acquitted—25 Years After Her Execution
Public Outcry and a Carefully Staged Appeal The movement to restore Joan’s reputation was driven by ordinary people as much as by royalty. In Orléans, the city she had liberated, residents kept her memory alive through annual processions marking the lifting of the siege. By 1440, the city was also supporting Joan’s mother financially, according to historian Regine Pernoud in The Retrial of Joan of Arc: The Evidence for Her Vindication.
7 Times Celebrities Stole the Spotlight at Sporting Events
These famous figures created headline-making moments. Frank Sinatra works the other side of the camera during the Ali-Frazier fight at Madison Square Garden. NY Daily News via Getty Images Published: June 12, 2026Last Updated: June 12, 2026 Sports have always had a way of pulling in celebrity fans—from presidents and pop stars to Oscar winners and royalty.
What Colonial Americans Wore in 1776
Powdered wigs, tricorn hats and ruffles were elements of colonial clothing, but these Revolutionary fashions were less universal than you might think. Published: June 10, 2026Last Updated: June 10, 2026 Colonial America during the American Revolution is often framed in a certain look: powdered wigs, tricorn hats and bonnets, ruffled shirts and long gowns. It’s an image shaped as much by popular culture as by the surviving portraits of wealthy colonists.
Photos: How Americans Celebrated the 1976 Bicentennial
From a wagon train to commemorative coins to School of Rock, see the colorful ways Americans marked the nation's 200th anniversary. Getty Images Published: June 09, 2026Last Updated: June 09, 2026 By the summer of 1976, the United States was hungry for a reset. After Vietnam, Watergate, a recession and an energy crisis, the American Bicentennial arrived as both a distraction and a snapshot of the national mood—part patriotic revival, part marketing wave.
How Did Knickerbockers Become a Symbol of New York?
The baggy, knee-length pants were popular in the 19th century—but how did knickerbockers, (i.e. the Knicks) come to represent the city? Golfers, including President Warren Harding (left), wear knickerbockers at the Piping Rock Golf Links on Long Island, 1921. Getty Images Published: June 04, 2026Last Updated: June 04, 2026 A pair of baggy, knee-length pants might not seem like the stuff of New York legend.
How Americans Celebrated the Centennial in 1876
President Grant called it a “day of reflection and gratitude,” and America hosted its first world’s fair. The hand and torch of the Statue of Liberty at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876. Corbis/VCG via Getty Images Published: June 03, 2026Last Updated: June 03, 2026 In the summer of 1876, the United States was preparing for its 100th birthday with patriotic celebrations.
Where Did Ebola Come From?
How did the virus spread? According to the CDC, Ebola is caused by infection with orthoebolaviruses, a group that includes four viruses known to infect humans: Ebola, Sudan, Tai Forest and Bundibugyo. These viruses have been found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, with mortality rates ranging from about 35 to 90 percent. Ebola is a zoonotic disease, meaning it originates in animals. It spreads among infected wildlife, including fruit bats, primates and porcupines.
What Is the Thucydides Trap?
How did the modern concept develop? Allison brought the term into modern foreign-policy discussions through research at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center. His team studied 16 cases from the past 500 years where a rising power challenged an established one. All but four led to war. Allison summarizes these examples and expands on the concept in his 2017 book Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap?.
Mother’s Day Began as a Peace Movement
In the wake of bloody 19th-century wars, the holiday’s early advocates urged communities to gather in peace. Published: May 07, 2026Last Updated: May 07, 2026 Before Mother’s Day became a $38 billion celebration of brunch, bouquets and greeting cards, it was about peace. In the aftermath of the Civil War, two women—Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia and Julia Ward Howe of Boston—imagined a day when mothers would gather not to be honored but to heal divided communities.
Why Are Carnations a Mother’s Day Tradition?
The custom originated with the holiday’s founder, who later tried to stop it. Rae Russel/Getty Images Published: May 05, 2026Last Updated: May 05, 2026 Carnations earned their place as the signature flower of Mother’s Day when the holiday’s founder, Anna Jarvis, chose them to honor her own mother. The gesture caught on quickly and bloomed into a tradition that has lasted ever since. How did carnations become associated with Mother’s Day?
Why Is Mother’s Day on the Second Sunday in May?
The date hasn’t changed since the holiday began in 1914. WATFORD/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images Published: April 28, 2026Last Updated: April 28, 2026 Mother’s Day became a national holiday in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson called on Americans to honor mothers on the second Sunday in May. His proclamation came after decades of women campaigning for official recognition for the holiday. Although united in their cause, early advocates disagreed on the date.
8 Outrageous Fashion Trends That Went Mainstream
What feels ordinary today once stirred controversy. Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images Published: April 27, 2026Last Updated: April 27, 2026 Fashion’s most shocking looks are rarely embraced at first—but they often end up mainstream. Outrage draws attention, and attention—especially from media coverage—can transform risky ideas into global trends. “Controversy can actually be very good for fashion,” says fashion historian and author Bronwyn Cosgrave.
How Tax Day Turned Into Party Night at the Post Office
April 15 once meant lively gatherings at post offices across the country as people filed their annual tax returns. Clowns from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus hold a giant tax form outside of a New York City post office, April 1995. Robert Miller/AFP via Getty Images Published: April 13, 2026Last Updated: April 13, 2026 In 20th-century America, last-minute filers weren’t just rushing to the post office to make the Tax Day deadline. Many were heading to a party.
What Are the Gnostic Gospels—and What Do They Say About Jesus?
These ancient texts challenge mainstream Christian teachings. Bridgeman via Getty Images Published: April 02, 2026Last Updated: April 02, 2026 Early Christians didn’t all agree on what Jesus taught. Alongside the texts that became the New Testament—the canonical Bible recognized by most Christian traditions—other writings circulated in the first few centuries of Christianity, offering different ideas about God, salvation and Jesus, himself.
Who Were the 12 Apostles?
All four gospels in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke and Johns—and Acts mention the apostles, although some names vary by book. Early Christian writers, including Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch, also wrote about the apostles as real people. Clement’s "Letter to the Corinthians" mentions the apostles Peter and Paul as having faced persecution, making it one of the earliest non-biblical texts to refer to their lives.
What Are the World’s Oldest Holidays?
People have celebrated New Year’s and Passover for millennia, but the oldest holiday dates back to the Neolithic Period. A Jewish family observes Passover, one of the oldest holidays that is still celebrated today. Bettmann/Getty Images Published: March 27, 2026Last Updated: March 27, 2026 Honoring the beginning of a new year is one of the humanity’s oldest traditions. Long before written calendars, early societies watched the sky, tracked the seasons and created rituals based on nature’s cycles.
The Calvin Klein Look That Ruled the 1990s
When United States entered an economic recession in 1990, the glittering, shoulder-padded excess of the ’80s quickly felt outdated. Designer Calvin Klein offered a reset. Already a household name—thanks to his denim, the infamous 1980 Brooke Shields ad (“You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”) and his best-selling Obsession perfume—Klein’s quieter, cleaner aesthetic helped set a new fashion mood.
The Calvin Klein Look That Ruled the 1990s
The designer led a minimalist revolution that redefined American chic. Model Kate Moss at the Calvin Klein Collection Spring 1999 Ready To Wear Runway Show. Photo by Kyle Ericksen/John Aquino/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images Published: March 02, 2026Last Updated: March 02, 2026 When United States entered an economic recession in 1990, the glittering, shoulder-padded excess of the ’80s quickly felt outdated. Designer Calvin Klein offered a reset.
The Surprising History of March
March has long been unpredictable, from a blizzard with 50-foot snow drifts to a bizarre meat storm. March, the third month in the Gregorian calendar, is well-known for its unpredictable spring weather (“in like a lion and out like a lamb”), NCAA basketball (a.k.a. “March Madness”), and, of course, St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras celebrations. But March is also tied to ancient beginnings, historic events and even animal antics. Here’s a closer look.
5 Books About Scandalous Love Affairs
Behind closed doors, these romances shaped art, politics and empires. Getty Images Published: February 12, 2026Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Scandalous love affairs have shaped dynasties, toppled reputations and inspired some of history’s most unforgettable stories. These five nonfiction books dive into relationships that unfolded behind palace doors, presidential households, artist studios and ancient thrones. 1.
The Surprising History of February
From an English duke drowned in a wine barrel to snowfall in the Saharan desert, February has brought its share of eye-opening moments. Getty Images Published: January 30, 2026Last Updated: January 30, 2026 For being the year’s shortest month, February sure comes chock-full of holidays and major events. Between Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Groundhog Day, Black History Month, the Super Bowl, and sometimes Lunar New Year and Ramadan, there’s plenty to celebrate.
The Eagles: 5 Essential Facts About the Rock Band
3. Why Is the Eagles’ 'Greatest Hits' Album So Popular? Released in February 1976, Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975 is stacked with chart-toppers, including two No. 1 singles ("Best of My Love," "One of These Nights") and top‑10 staples like "Take It to the Limit," "Lyin' Eye"and "Witchy Woman." It was even the first album to earn platinum certification (1 million copies sold) from the RIAA. Its strength, Eliot says, is in the curation.
What Was the Effect of the Monroe Doctrine?
What was the immediate impact of the Monroe Doctrine? The nonintervention principle at the heart of the Monroe Doctrine bolstered the independence of fledgling Latin American republics and ensured trade would continue among them, the U.S. and European nations. Between 1810 and 1822, there were 15 Latin American countries that declared independence from Spain.
What Was the Initial Reaction to the Monroe Doctrine?
How did Americans respond to the Monroe Doctrine? The vast majority of U.S. newspapers recorded positive responses to Monroe’s address—and his doctrine, in particular—according to a 1955 article in the journal The Americas. “The president’s words, noted the Portland Eastern Argus, had ‘been received throughout the country with a warm and universal burst of applause,’” the article’s author, Stanley L. Falk, wrote.
Who Originally Enforced the Monroe Doctrine?
President James Monroe issued a firm warning to Europe, but in the absence of U.S. military and economic might, Britain stepped in to help. Bettmann Archive Published: January 21, 2026Last Updated: January 21, 2026 In the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, President James Monroe warned against European intervention in the Western Hemisphere. The United States, however, wasn’t in a position to stop a European power at the time.
The Four Principles of the Monroe Doctrine, Explained
“Over the last 200 years, administrations of all stripes have used the Monroe Doctrine as a way to frame their foreign policy, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, but globally as well,” says Stam, who also serves as a faculty senior fellow at UVA’s Miller Center. According to the U.S. State Department, the doctrine includes three tenets: nonintervention, noncolonization and separate spheres. These tenets can be broken down into four core principles.
How a First Lady Prepares for Life in the White House
It's a crash course in protocol, politics and public life. Barbara Bush escorts Hillary Clinton into the White House, November 19, 1992. AFP via Getty Images Published: January 20, 2026Last Updated: January 20, 2026 Stepping into the role of first lady is one of the most visible and closely scrutinized transitions in American public life.
Who Were the Daughters of Liberty?
Ray Raphael, author of A People’s History of the American Revolution, highlights Betsy Foote, a Connecticut farm girl who wrote in her diary in October 1775 that after a day of mending, spinning, milking, studying and performing other chores, “she carded two pounds of wool and ‘felt Nationly.’” Newspapers dubbed these activists the “Daughters of Liberty,” and sometimes the “Daughters of Industry.” Unlike the Sons of Liberty, who staged sometimes violent protests and demonstrations, the...
The Surprising History of January
Aerial view of tourists taking in the Harbin Ice and Snow World on January 5, 2024, in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province of China. F. Scott Fitzgerald might have said it best in The Beautiful and Damned: “January, the Monday of months.” The year begins with optimism, bowl games and, perhaps, a Bloody Mary buffet to soften the impact of the night before.
The Surprising History of January
Winter doldrums aside, the month boasts its own quiet marvels: a brilliant meteor shower, a huge candy-colored ice festival and even the invention of the King Cake. VCG via Getty Images Published: December 23, 2025Last Updated: December 23, 2025 F. Scott Fitzgerald might have said it best in The Beautiful and Damned: “January, the Monday of months.” The year begins with optimism, bowl games and, perhaps, a Bloody Mary buffet to soften the impact of the night before.
100 Years of Christmas Tree Trends in Photos
German customs continued to shape the Christmas tree’s evolution. Walker points to the Paradise tree, a medieval tradition featuring apples and candles that immigrants introduced to the United States. Echoes of that appear in The Christmas Tree Book, in which author Phillip V.
How Debutante Balls Became an Elite Society Tradition
In 1938, 'LIFE' magazine dubbed Miss Brenda Frazier New York's leading debutante for the year, featuring her on its cover. The story inside called out her $8 million fortune and the bitter custody battle between her estranged parents. Every holiday season, ballrooms across the United States and Europe fill with young women in white gowns and satin gloves, poised to make their debut into society.
How Debutante Balls Became an Elite Society Tradition
Once a tool of aristocratic British matchmaking, the event is known for fluffy white dresses and social peacocking. But its purpose has evolved—and more communities are taking part. Bettmann Archive via Getty Images Published: December 05, 2025Last Updated: December 05, 2025 Every holiday season, ballrooms across the United States and Europe fill with young women in white gowns and satin gloves, poised to make their debut into society.
The Surprising History of December
Cozy December atmosphere: glowing lights, decoration, fir tree, burning lantern, warm tones or gold colors Known for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve—and for "Seinfeld" fans, of course, Festivus—December is filled with cherished traditions. But beyond these celebrations, the month boasts tales of meteorites, ancient winter rituals and even a giant Swedish goat made of straw. Read on to learn more about December’s surprising history.
The Surprising History of December
No wonder Trump is outraged by warnings about illegal orders There’s a reason lawmakers worry about the military being told to ignore the law. If you’re a law-abiding citizen and someone admonishes you that robbing banks is a crime, you would be inclined to laugh off the advice as obvious and unnecessary. If, however, you’re planning on carrying out a bank …
The Surprising History of December
Seasonal Oddities and Astronomical Facts December also marks the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, typically around December 21-22, which marks the shortest day of the year. The full moon in December is known as the cold moon, a name derived from the Mohawk nation, whose traditional territory straddles the U.S.-Canada border.
The Real Reason the Wicked Witch of the West Is Green
When audiences first saw The Wizard of Oz in 1939, they were dazzled by the movie’s use of Technicolor. Dorothy’s ruby slippers sparkled, the yellow brick road gleamed and the Wicked Witch of the West appeared in a shocking shade of green skin. But L. Frank Baum’s original book never described her that way. How does the Wicked Witch appear in the original story? In Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is mean and scary but not green.
The Real Reason the Wicked Witch of the West Is Green
L. Frank Baum’s original story never described her that way. Alamy Stock Photo Published: November 21, 2025Last Updated: November 21, 2025 When audiences first saw The Wizard of Oz in 1939, they were dazzled by the movie’s use of Technicolor. Dorothy’s ruby slippers sparkled, the yellow brick road gleamed and the Wicked Witch of the West appeared in a shocking shade of green skin. But L. Frank Baum’s original book never described her that way. How does the Wicked Witch appear in the original story?
Who Commanded the Continental Army Before Washington?
Artemas Ward played a key role in shaping the Revolution’s first fighting force, but he has largely faded from public memory. Corbis via Getty Images Published: November 18, 2025Last Updated: November 18, 2025 When Americans picture the Revolutionary War, George Washington typically stands front and center.
8 Revolutionary War Flags Flown Before the Stars and Stripes
These banners stoked the fight for independence and influenced the design of the American flag. Some are still around today. Getty Images Published: November 18, 2025Last Updated: November 18, 2025 Before 1777, the American flag didn’t exist. So what exactly did patriots wave to trumpet their cause during the Revolutionary War? A variety of handmade banners that featured some symbols—such as red and white stripes and the “Don’t Tread on Me” motto—you probably recognize.
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