Benjamin Franklin

Why Was Ben Franklin's Basement Full Of Bodies?

Mental Floss | Posted 04.16.2012

While working on the renovation of Benjamin Franklin's London home, a construction worker found something odd: a small pit in a windowless basement ro...

Daylight Saving Time: When To Set Your Clocks Ahead

The Huffington Post | Ileana Llorens | Posted 03.10.2012

Welcome spring weather with the start of Daylight Saving Time. At 2 a.m. on, Sunday, March 11, 2012, most U.S. residents will set their clocks ah...

Pitchers, Catchers... and Signers Report: a Founding Fathers Baseball Dream Team

Michael Simzak | Posted 04.23.2012

Michael Simzak

If the framers of the Constitution were a baseball team, who would they be and what position would they play?

George Washington's Biggest Critic

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.21.2012

Chris Weigant

When Washington died, the phrase which spread the country was: "First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen." While this may be almost universally true today, it was not when the man held office.

National Archives Shows Benjamin Franklin's Papers

AP | Posted 02.10.2012

WASHINGTON -- Documents from the National Archives are going on view to explore the life of Benjamin Franklin as a scientist, diplomat, philanthropist...

Marlo's Favorite Quotes

Posted 03.27.2012

I have always believed that we can all learn from and be inspired by the wisdom and life experience of others. Just like a picture can paint a thousa...

Give Me Back My Money, I'll Make Something Happen

Bob Banov and Roger Ohlsen | Posted 03.26.2012

Bob Banov and Roger Ohlsen

You can argue tax policy until you're blue in the face, as well as income inequality. But the first steps in the development of a government besides finding an even-handed way it can govern fairly, is to govern itself without greed, corruption and selfishness.

Ben Franklin's Drunk Dictionary

Mental Floss | Posted 03.18.2012

Today is Ben Franklin's 306th birthday. If anyone deserves a toast, it's Franklin, but if you drink a little too much, perhaps one of the phrases h...

Pity the Billionaire? But He's Winning

Francine Hardaway | Posted 03.12.2012

Francine Hardaway

Unlike in other countries, our protestors don't continue; they don't even register at the ballot box. They make some noise, get the pundits excited, and retreat.

The 15 Most Creative States

Patrick Hickman Robertson | Posted 01.11.2012

Patrick Hickman Robertson

The United States is the most innovative nation on earth, with over 42 per cent (by my estimate) of all significant "firsts" of the modern era, from integrated circuits in silicon chips to condoms.

Set Your Clocks for the Twilight of the Big Bang

Adam Frank | Posted 01.04.2012

Adam Frank

This Sunday marks the yearly orgy of clock-adjusting known as daylight saving time. This is the best day of the year to remind everyone that time, as we know it, doesn't exist.

Not a Native American? You're an Immigrant

Bernard Starr | Posted 01.02.2012

Bernard Starr

Contrary to the popular belief that we are swimming in more immigrants than ever, in 1890 14.8 percent of our population was foreign-born compared to today's 12.5 percent. And the number of illegal immigrants is on the decline.

Is Daylight Saving Time Eco-Friendly?

The Huffington Post | Tara Kelly | Posted 12.17.2011

No, it's not your imagination. You really have waited longer to get that extra hour of sleep this year. In fact, Daylight Saving Time (DST) comes ...

A Decade After 9/11: Time to Choose to Be America Again?

Robin Koerner | Posted 11.11.2011

Robin Koerner

Since 9-11, it seems that the American Left and the American Right have agreed on something of profound importance: we're scared. The politics of the last decade have been the politics of fear.

To the United States Marine Corps -- re: Farting in Afghanistan

Chris Rodda | Posted 10.30.2011

Chris Rodda

There is nothing in the Constitution saying that Americans can't fart. This is just more historical revisionism by the left. What's next? No farting in schools? No farting in courthouses?

'Front Running' Against Humanity in the Oil Markets

Stephen Zarlenga | Posted 10.26.2011

Stephen Zarlenga

There's no reason to allow wealthy speculators to position themselves between the world's limited oil supplies and those who have to use that oil to keep the world economy functioning.

Presidential Historian Stole FDR's Speeches, Franklin's Letter: Feds

AP | ALEX DOMINGUEZ | Posted 09.28.2011

BALTIMORE — Presidential historian Barry Landau and his assistant were indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday, accused of stealing and sellin...

Facing the Fall of the Nation State

Francine Hardaway | Posted 09.04.2011

Francine Hardaway

The nation state has outlived its usefulness. In a world of air travel, unmanned drones, and interwebs, its insularity cannot be sustained.

Spirit Of Independence: Best Books On Founding Fathers (And A Few Mothers Too)

Posted 09.03.2011

Yes, we know the 4th of July is more about fireworks and picnics than the Revolutionary War, but we are, after all, celebrating American Independence....

Top Ten Deleted Phrases From the Declaration of Independence (SLIDESHOW)

James Napoli | Posted 08.29.2011

James Napoli

Every great piece of history-making writing has to have gone through a first draft, right? Here are the ten most notable highlights from the rejected Declaration material.

Thomas Jefferson, The American Mind and the Cosmic System

John W. Whitehead | Posted 08.27.2011

John W. Whitehead

On May 26, 1776, John Adams, who represented Massachusetts at the Second Continental Congress, wrote exultantly to his friend James Warren that "every...

Today in History: June 10

The Huffington Post | Laura Hibbard | Posted 08.10.2011

There's no denying it: the digital age is unforgivingly fast-paced. But how can we move forward if we never take a moment to reflect on where we've...

Do Well By Doing Good

Chris Rodda | Posted 07.05.2011

Chris Rodda

Rather than profit on them, Ben Franklin let everybody have his inventions for the public good. It is in that spirit that I now give my book away for free.

Ben Franklin and Libya

William Dietrich | Posted 05.25.2011

William Dietrich

Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it, and we've been struggling to understand and control this region since Napoleon's day.

The Heroes Of Self-Publishing: Authors Who Made History Without A Publisher (PHOTOS)

The Huffington Post | Zoe Triska | Posted 05.25.2011

Self-publishing hero Amanda Hocking's extreme success earning her $2 million turns out not to be the only case. The world's literature is filled with ...