July 6, 2025

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

This weekend the United States marks the Fourth of July, a celebration of the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. America’s founding document was chiefly authored by Thomas Jefferson and edited by a committee including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. At that point, the American Revolution was only about a year old and far from won—several years of war were still to come.

The Nature and Influence of the Declaration of Independence

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Engraving of General George Washington (riding white horse) and his staff welcome a provision train of supplies for the Continental Army as it approaches their encampment.

The Road to Revolution: A Timeline

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (reproduction no. LC-DIG-pga-0288)

What roles did women play in the American Revolution? Includes an interview with Allyson Schettino from the New York Historical Society. Women acted as camp followers, spies, new leaders of their households, and sometimes even soldiers. Revolutionary War, history, women's history, military history, war.

Founding Mothers: The Role of Women in the American Revolution

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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Big Talk

On Thursday Hakeem Jeffries, minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, set a record in an attempt to delay the final vote on Pres. Donald Trump’s signature policy bill, which passed later in the day. Here’s more on the filibuster, a time-tested parliamentary tactic that allows legislators to speak for as long as they want.

The House record

The Senate allows for unlimited debate on a bill, but the House has rules that limit speaking time. So while a traditional filibuster isn’t possible in the House, the majority and minority leaders are allowed a “magic minute,” a procedural privilege, to speak for an extended period. On Thursday Jeffries (pictured below) spoke for 8 hours and 44 minutes, breaking the record of 8 hours and 32 minutes previously set by Kevin McCarthy in 2021.

Hakeem Jeffries - official portrait. Congressman who represents Eighth Congressional District of New York, an area that encompasses large parts of Brooklyn and a section of Queens. U.S. House of Representatives

The Senate record

In 1957 Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina talked for more than 24 hours, the longest individual filibuster on record, as part of an unsuccessful attempt by Southern senators to obstruct civil rights legislation. Thurmond’s not the only one who has stretched the limits of the filibuster. Three other senators have filibustered for more than 20 hours: Alfonse D’Amato, Wayne Morse, and Ted Cruz. Earlier this year Sen. Cory Booker gave a speech that lasted more than 25 hours, but it wasn’t technically considered a filibuster, because it was not related to legislation.

Office of U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries

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Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) met with constituents one-on-one at a Safeway in Duval Mine Road and La Canada in Green Valley, AZ, May 22, 2010. Gabby Giffords assassination Jared Lee Loughner Congress on Your Corner Jan. 8, 2011. (see notes)

Political violence in the U.S.

In 21st-century America, the targets have included members of Congress, state legislators, and governors.

Asian elephant

The largest land mammal in Asia, these elephants have been classified as an endangered species since 1986.

AHMEDABAD, INDIA- JUNE 12, 2025: Members of the investigation team examine the site of the Air India flight crash on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India. An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London's Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members. The plane crashed on a resident doctors' hostel in Ahmedabad, which suffered major damage in the accident. India, Asia, Crash, Accident,

Air India Flight 171

This passenger airliner crashed on June 12 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, claiming the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board.

Greenland shark under ice (Somniosus microcephalus), Lancaster Sound, northern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada.

The longest-living animal

On land that distinction goes to the tortoise. But in the water there’s an animal capable of living for 500 years.

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Wooden toy blocks spell the word "SMART."

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Photo illustration of a mouse, a cat, and a wedge of Swiss cheese with a black dotted path connecting the mouse to the cheese, but skipping the cat.

Regret minimization theory: Making peace with uncertainty

Gold balloon that is deflating from a valve. A large blue circle with white text reads "GDP DEFLATOR," surrounded by smaller blue circles on a light background.

GDP deflator: Nominal output vs. real output

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From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology

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Publicity still with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman from the motion picture film "Casablanca" (1942); directed by Michael Curtiz. (cinema, movies)

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Martin Luther King, Jr. (left of centre) and Malcolm X (right) waiting for a press conference, 1964.

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Test your knowledge of Americans’ tumultuous fight to end racial segregation and discrimination.

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(From left): First Ladies Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, Pat Nixon, and Lady Bird Johnson at the Dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California; November 4, 1991. (first lady)

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