It took over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation for news of freedom to reach the last enslaved people in Texas. We look at the history behind Juneteenth, from the Civil War to how the holiday is recognized in the US today.

We trace the road from Chicago to Santa Monica, and why it still captures the spirit of the American road trip decades after the interstates made it obsolete.

Cheap rent and a broke city made 1970s New York the birthplace of punk rock and artists like Basquiat and Keith Haring, right alongside the crime and graffiti the era's known for. We look at how the decade nearly broke the city, and how it shaped New York's creative identity at the same time.

The famous star ceiling at Grand Central is actually painted backwards, and nobody fully agrees on why. We look at the history behind Grand Central Terminal, its stunning main concourse, and the mystery hiding above the crowds.

Talking to yourself in English while you cook or walk might feel silly, but it's one of the most effective ways to build speaking confidence without any pressure. Part two of our practical tips for intermediate learners covers labeling objects around your home, finding conversation partners, and setting realistic goals.

Reaching the intermediate level in English is already a real accomplishment, even if it doesn't always feel that way. Part one of our practical tips covers reading, listening, and writing habits that push your English forward, plus why getting comfortable with a little uncertainty matters more than you think.

From the Apollo Theater in Harlem to a century of pastrami sandwiches at Katz's Deli on the Lower East Side, we take a tour through six Manhattan neighborhoods and the history that gives each one its character.

Real cowboys spent their days fixing fences, not getting into gunfights, and most outlaws were driven by poverty, not glory. We separate the myths of the American West from the actual history, including the roles of Native Americans, women, and Mexican Americans that classic westerns tend to leave out.

The Colorado River has been carving this canyon for over 6 million years, and there's a glass walkway that lets you stand almost 4,000 feet above it. We look at the science, history, and native cultures behind one of the world's most unforgettable natural sites.

From Redwood forests that are over 3,000 years old to ghost towns left over from the Gold Rush, we explore the landscapes and history that shaped the American West, and why it's still a magical place to visit today.

3,400 workers built the Empire State Building in just 410 days, at a pace of four and a half floors a week. We look at how it became a symbol of hope during the Great Depression, and how it's shown up in movies, art, and even a real plane crash.

Only three theaters are actually located on the road called Broadway, everything else is technically on a side street. We trace the history behind "The Great White Way," from its earliest theaters to why it earned that nickname.