BRINGING HISTORY TO LIGHT
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FEATURED INITIATIVE
The Smithsonian Institution
OUR SHARED FUTURE:
Reckoning With Our Racial Past
Columbia: Allegory of America
By Julia Chen
Ever wonder why you hear the name "Columbia" used for things? Colombia University, the Columbian Exhibition, the District of Columbia?
The word and the personification of that term was thought to be the "Spirit of America." America became Columbia, and this personification was often used as a reminder of American values that encouraged the taking in of refugees and good treatment towards immigrants (see "The Chinese Question" below).
This piece by OH writer, Julia Chen, outlines the origins of Columbia and how she was used in popular culture to describe critical moments in the American psyche at a given time, from an untamed wilderness, to moving forward after the Civil War, to presiding over the height of technological and scientific achievement at the time at the Columbian Exhibition.
Although Columbia has fallen out of general use, we can look this this representation of America to give us a window into how people saw current events in America at certain times in history.
OBSCURE HISTORY FACT
The personification of Columbia was almost wholly created by Phillis Wheatley, a poet and enslaved person, in an 1776 ode to George Washington, His Excellency George Washington. She was seized from West Africa when she was seven, and became one of the best known poets in the 18th Century.
"The Chinese Question"
(Thomas Nast, Harpers, 1871)
Smithsonian Open Source
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REPRESENTATIONS OF COLUMBIA OVER TIME
John Gast, 1872
"Columbia welcomes the victims of German Persecution to 'The Anthem of the Oppressed'."
Illustrated Newspaper (January 22, 1881).
"Mending the Family Kettle," Illustrated Newspaper (June 16, 1866).
Here, Columbia is asking Andrew Johnson to move reconstruction along following the end of the Civil War. She is holding the 14th Amendment, which freed the enslaved persons in America.
 Little Ice AgeClimate Change Was Important Even at Jamestown |  Grace HopperMathematician, Computer Programmer, Navy Rear Admiral |  Irene MorganBefore Rosa Parks, Morgan defied the law in a case that went to the Supreme Court |
|---|---|---|
 Paquiquineo/Don LuisA Native turned Jesuit Missionary toured the world, returned, and disappeared. |  Pilgrim Ban on ChristmasIn the 17th Century, the American Pilgrims banned Christmas celebrations for decades. |  Niels StensenFather of Modern Geology and Neuroanatomist |
 Francisca Rojas FingerprintsThe first used of forensic fingerprinting happened in Buenos Aries, Argentina |  Japanese Temple GeometryTokugawa Geometry before the introduction of Western Mathematics |  Hanaoka SeishuDeveloped general anesthesia in Japan. |
 Hiram Bingham: Saved thousands-WWIILow-level U.S. diplomat who helps hundreds of Jews escape Vichy France. |  Georges MélièsPioneer in film and special effects, and conjuror. |  Wingfoot ExpressDistaster in Chicago, 1919. |
 Dr. Mary WalkerBattlefield surgeon during the Civil War, Medal of Honor recipient. |  Bushnell's TurtleWorld's first attack submarine was used during the American Revolution. |  Kate ShelleyKate Shelley crossed a bridge in a deluge, and saved a train full of people. |
 Billy MitchellFounded the U.S. Air Force |  KatterfeltoQuack doctor demonstrated microorganism, and got into trouble during an epidemic. |  Greely's ExpeditionTrapped in Greenland for years. |
 Cleo's PearlDissolved a pearl in vinegar to beat Antony in a bet. |  GreatrakesFaith healer of the "King's Evil" threatened the newly restored King Charles II. |  Saba SabaThe number 7/7 has a deep political meaning in Kenya. |
 Comet of 1680Astronomer helped Newton prove orbits and gravity, without credit. |  Bottle ConjurorHow a magician started a riot in c. 18th London. |
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Batteries and Supercapacitors
The UCLA California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) is currently working on using graphene as a long-term battery. Although two years old, this short documentary reveals the common, every day tools being used to solve problems in the laboratory, as well as the discovery process that often leads to where you wouldn't expect.
Read this NEWS for an update on their progress.
ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY at the University of Chicago and their work on constructing the super battery. Check out the latest information in their quest to make the better battery.
ELON MUSK has also set batteries in his sights.
Whether you are a lifelong learner, a student looking for a novel paper topic, or a teacher looking for flexible and primary-sourced material, we hope to have something here to entertain and enlighten.