Origin Story: Medicaid
Established in 1965 under the Social Security Act, Medicaid was born from a national commitment to health justice. It ensures that low-income families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities can access essential healthcare—no matter their zip code.
Pew Research: Americans’ Concerns About Press Freedom Persist as Partisan Views Flip
Press Freedom Remains a Flashpoint as Partisan Lines Redraw
In an era of deep political polarization, Americans still rally around the idea of press freedom — but a new Pew Research Center survey shows partisan divides over media independence are widening fast.
Remember When: Blood Was Shed for the 8-Hour Workday
It began with a simple demand: eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what we will.
Remember When: Europe Came Together for Democracy
May 1, 2004: A New Era for Europe.
Twenty-one years ago this week, ten countries — Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia — officially joined the European Union, marking the largest single expansion in the EU’s history.
Pew Research: Immigration Policy Seen as a Driver of Grocery Costs
A new survey by Pew Research Center reveals a striking concern among Americans: 42% of U.S. adults believe that increased deportations of immigrants living in the country illegally would lead to higher food prices in their area. This finding, drawn from a nationally representative survey conducted in late February and early March 2025, underscores the public's awareness of how deeply immigration policies intersect with economic realities.
Remember When: Student Protests Grew in Beijing
On April 24, 1989, the heart of Beijing pulsed with the chants of thousands of students demanding change. What began as mourning for reform-minded leader Hu Yaobang quickly turned into a bold call for democracy, free speech, and government accountability.
Origin Story: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), often called the Consumer Protection Agency, was born out of the 2008 financial crisis—a time when millions of Americans lost homes, jobs, and savings due to unchecked lending practices and regulatory gaps. In response, the federal government passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010.
Pew Research: Americans’ Views on Trade with China, Canada, and Mexico
A recent Pew Research Center survey highlights shifting public opinion on U.S. trade relationships with China, Canada, and Mexico amid new tariffs. Key takeaways include:
Remember When: Apollo 13 Came Home – April 17, 1970
“Houston, we’ve had a problem.”
Those words—calm, understated, and broadcast from 200,000 miles away—sent a chill through NASA’s Mission Control and the world. What was meant to be the third manned mission to the Moon quickly became a desperate struggle to bring three astronauts home alive.
Origin Story: The Consumer Protection Agency
The U.S. Consumer Protection Agency exists to defend Americans from unsafe, unfair, and deceptive practices in the marketplace. Its foundations were laid in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy introduced the Consumer Bill of Rights, declaring consumers’ rights to safety, information, choice, and a voice in the system.
Remember When a Woman First Took a Seat at the Cabinet Table?
On April 10, 1880, Frances Perkins was born — a woman who would go on to quietly reshape American life as we know it. In 1933, she became the first woman in U.S. history to serve in a presidential cabinet, appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt as Secretary of Labor during the Great Depression. But she didn’t just make history by being first — she made history by what she did with the role.
Pew Research: Most Americans Support Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
A new Pew Research Center survey finds that a majority of Americans continue to support federal funding for NPR and PBS—public media institutions known for news, educational content, and cultural programming.
Dr. King’s Final Speech: A Call We Still Answer
April 3, 1968 — On a stormy night in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before a crowd at the Mason Temple and delivered what would be his final public speech: “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.”
Origin Stories: Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cornerstone in safeguarding the health and well-being of Americans. Established in 1953 as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), it was restructured in 1979, leading to the creation of a separate Department of Education and the renaming of HEW to HHS.
Pew Research: Americans Split on the Dept of Education
As debates over curriculum, parental rights, and federal versus local control continue to shape education policy, the U.S. Department of Education has increasingly found itself at the center of political discourse. While the department’s actual authority over local schools is limited, its influence in funding, civil rights enforcement, and national priorities makes it a focal point in conversations about the future of American education. A new Pew Research Center survey highlights just how divided public opinion is on the agency’s role and performance.
Honoring Lusia Harris: The Queen of Basketball
As March Madness heats up, we’re taking a time-out to honor a true trailblazer whose legacy defines the spirit of the game—Lusia “Lucy” Harris.
Pew Research: 119th Congress Breaks Barriers for Women of Color
The 119th Congress, which convened on January 3rd, marks significant strides for women of color in American politics. According to a recent Pew Research Center analysis, this Congress is witnessing several historic firsts.
Pew Research: How Americans View the World Health Organization
A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that most Americans continue to support U.S. membership in the World Health Organization (WHO), though with notable partisan divisions. As of April 2024, 58% of Americans believe WHO membership benefits the country, with 25% seeing "a great deal" of benefit and 33% perceiving "a fair amount" of value.
The Power of a Kind Neighbor: Remembering Mr. Rogers
March 20 marks what would have been the birthday of Fred Rogers—the beloved neighbor to millions of children across generations. It’s a day to reflect on the kindness, wisdom, and quiet strength of a man who taught us all how to navigate the world with empathy and understanding.
Origin Stories: The Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) was established in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students and streamline federal education policies. Before its creation, education oversight was scattered across multiple agencies, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in funding and policy implementation.