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History. Discovered.
The Archive

Stories the newspapers already wrote.

Long-form pieces drawn from real historical newspapers. Each one starts with a single clipping from the Library of Congress and unfolds into the wider story.

145 stories · updated weekly
MURDER TRIAL SHOCKS ENGLAND
then_vs_now

MURDER TRIAL SHOCKS ENGLAND

In the mid-19th century, the legal and social landscapes of England were fraught with tension, particularly surrounding sensational criminal…

1855new york
MURDER TRIAL SHOCKS ENGLAND
then_vs_now

MURDER TRIAL SHOCKS ENGLAND

The mid-19th century was a tumultuous time for England, marked by social upheaval, industrial progress, and shifting moral landscapes. One o…

1855new york
ROW IN THE SERVANTS HALL
then_vs_now

ROW IN THE SERVANTS HALL

In 1855, a curious incident unfolded in the servants' hall of a household that captured the attention of readers in New York City. The event…

1855new york
PREMIUM ON GOLD AND COMMODITIES
then_vs_now

PREMIUM ON GOLD AND COMMODITIES

In the mid-19th century, the United States was undergoing significant economic turmoil, marked by the impending Civil War and the complexiti…

1855new york
LABOR AND WAGES: 8 HOURS?
then_vs_now

LABOR AND WAGES: 8 HOURS?

LABOR AND WAGES: 8 HOURS? In the mid-19th century, discussions surrounding labor rights and wage structures were beginning to emerge as sign…

1855new york
EIGHT HOURS WORK OR TEN?
then_vs_now

EIGHT HOURS WORK OR TEN?

EIGHT HOURS WORK OR TEN? The debate over the length of the workday has been a contentious issue throughout history, particularly during the…

1855new york
What Happened to the Granada in Icy Waters?
then_vs_now

What Happened to the Granada in Icy Waters?

What Happened to the Granada in Icy Waters? In the winter of 1855, the United States Mail Steamship Granada faced a perilous situation as it…

1855new york
What Happened When an Alligator Was Unboxed?
then_vs_now

What Happened When an Alligator Was Unboxed?

What Happened When an Alligator Was Unboxed? In 1855, a peculiar event unfolded in New York City that would capture the attention of onlooke…

1855new york
SUNKISSED ICEFRESTED LEMONADE
then_vs_now

SUNKISSED ICEFRESTED LEMONADE

In the sweltering summer of 1923, Washington, D.C. residents were introduced to a refreshing beverage that promised to quench their thirst d…

1923washington
GASOLINE PRICES STAYED STATIONARY?
then_vs_now

GASOLINE PRICES STAYED STATIONARY?

GASOLINE PRICES STAYED STATIONARY? In December 1937, the Evening Star published a report detailing a significant legal trial involving major…

1937washington
What Happened with Gasoline Price Fixing in D.C.?
then_vs_now

What Happened with Gasoline Price Fixing in D.C.?

What Happened with Gasoline Price Fixing in D.C.? In May 1940, the Washington Daily News reported a significant crackdown by the U.S. Justic…

1940washington
FORTY DOLLARS PER MONTH
then_vs_now

FORTY DOLLARS PER MONTH

In the mid-19th century, America was undergoing significant transformations, particularly in its economy and labor market. The rise of indus…

1855new york
What Happened to the Protestant Churches' Unification Efforts?
then_vs_now

What Happened to the Protestant Churches' Unification Efforts?

What Happened to the Protestant Churches' Unification Efforts? In the early 1950s, the landscape of American Protestantism was marked by a s…

1951washington
What Happened When Valentino Sought Privacy?
then_vs_now

What Happened When Valentino Sought Privacy?

What Happened When Valentino Sought Privacy? In the early 20th century, few figures captivated the public's imagination quite like Rudolph V…

1930washington
636 GROCERY PRICES CUT!
then_vs_now

636 GROCERY PRICES CUT!

636 GROCERY PRICES CUT! In the mid-20th century, the grocery industry was undergoing significant changes, particularly with the rise of supe…

1955washington
MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION EXPLORED
then_vs_now

MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION EXPLORED

The conversation surrounding minimum wage legislation has been a significant topic in the United States, particularly in the early 20th cent…

1914baltimore
MINIMUM WAGE FOR WOMEN: $16.50
then_vs_now

MINIMUM WAGE FOR WOMEN: $16.50

MINIMUM WAGE FOR WOMEN: $16.50 In a significant move towards gender wage equality, the Butler County Press reported on March 12, 1920, that…

1920hamilton
What Was the Duke of Marlborough's Timber Case About?
then_vs_now

What Was the Duke of Marlborough's Timber Case About?

What Was the Duke of Marlborough's Timber Case About? The Duke of Marlborough's Timber Case, as reported in the Bengal Hurkaru on May 20, 18…

1819calcutta
FIRST CLASS HELP WANTED!
then_vs_now

FIRST CLASS HELP WANTED!

FIRST CLASS HELP WANTED! In the early 20th century, the job market was a complex landscape shaped by immigration, social class, and the evol…

1905new york
BREAD PRICES: WHY NO DROP?
then_vs_now

BREAD PRICES: WHY NO DROP?

BREAD PRICES: WHY NO DROP? In the post-World War II era, the United States experienced significant economic changes that affected various se…

1948washington
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE
then_vs_now

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE

In the summer of 1923, the Birmingham Age-Herald published an important announcement regarding educational opportunities for young people in…

1923birmingham
Population Restrictions or Industry: What’s Better for Society?
then_vs_now

Population Restrictions or Industry: What’s Better for Society?

Population Restrictions or Industry: What’s Better for Society? In the early 19th century, societal debates surrounding population growth an…

1819calcutta
EXPENSIVE LEGAL COUNSEL PROBED
then_vs_now

EXPENSIVE LEGAL COUNSEL PROBED

In the autumn of 1935, a significant controversy emerged surrounding the financial dealings of Arthur Mullen, a legal counsel involved in pu…

1935washington
EMIGRANT'S HARSH REALITY
then_vs_now

EMIGRANT'S HARSH REALITY

EMIGRANT'S HARSH REALITY The journey of emigration has often been romanticized in literature and popular culture, portraying a land of oppor…

1819calcutta
WOMEN TEACHERS FIRED!
then_vs_now

WOMEN TEACHERS FIRED!

WOMEN TEACHERS FIRED! In the late 19th century, societal norms and expectations regarding women's roles were undergoing significant scrutiny…

1897salt lake city
INFLATION: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
then_vs_now

INFLATION: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

INFLATION: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD Inflation is a term that evokes a range of emotions and opinions, especially in times of economic uncertaint…

1935henderson
Is Inflation Really a Contagious Disease?
then_vs_now

Is Inflation Really a Contagious Disease?

Is Inflation Really a Contagious Disease? In the midst of World War II, economic concerns were at the forefront of public discourse, and one…

1943wilmington