Category - history
Posted by Claire Whitmore
Typically nurses work within standard medical settings (hospitals, medical centers, etc.), but some unique opportunities within nursing may appeal to those with an adventurous, patriotic, or adrenaline-fueled soul: The Army Nurse Corps (ANC). The ANC has a long and storied history. During WWII, nearly 60,000 American nurses served in the Corps, and they operated on the same hub of the front lines for the first time in American history. According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, the ANC was a critical part of the evacuation chain, with nurses serving in various fields, including evacuation hospitals, trains, ships, and on medical transport planes. The bravery and dedication of these professionals led to an overall mortality rate of less than four percent for the injured soldiers who received care. Furthermore, adding a professional ANC advanced the fight for equity and mental healthcare.
The ANC’s historical significance
The overwhelming demand for nurses during ...
Posted by Emily Pazel
We’ve all been there before – you’re not alone if you’ve crossed paths with a black cat before and then quickly felt doomed for the rest of the day. It’s easy to recognize symbols or instances of a superstitious activity when you are out and about, but what about at your place of work? You might have a coworker or two that needs a little extra superstition to feel better about their workspace.
But maybe you don’t understand why your coworker is tossing salt over his or her shoulder, or why they insist on having a horseshoe over the door. So, we’re here to break down a few common superstitions and learn what they mean and where they come from, so that you can better understand the person working in the cubicle next to you – after all, their luck might rub off on you.
Common Superstitions You Might Encounter
Superstitions have been around for quite some time and derive from different cultures and meanings. From all-star athletes to...
Posted by Emily Pazel
Each year, dozens of spectators flock to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see if a certain groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil will emerge from his burrow and see his shadow. This year, on February 2nd, the famous rodent crawled out from his hole and saw his shadow, predicting there would be six more weeks of winter.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this Groundhog’s Day was virtually live-streamed with only a few people in attendance. But that didn’t stop Phil from seeing his shadow and forecasting six more weeks of cold, chilly weather for the country.
According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, “Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, the Prognosticator of all Prognosticators,” woke up around 7:25 a.m. by his handler, who is part of the “Inner Circle”, to see whether he could see his shadow or not. After the prediction was made and the groundhog saw his shadow, a message on a scroll was read by the Groundhog Club’s President that said:...
Posted by Emily Pazel
St. Patrick’s Day is an iconic holiday that’s filled with many traditions to celebrate all things Irish. From great green shamrocks to leprechauns depicted with a pot of gold. This fun-filled holiday is celebrated around the world each year on March 17th. According to History.com, the Irish have observed this day for over a thousand years, celebrating Saint Patrick who is credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland.
As the traditions continued through the decades, the Irish holiday spread its celebration across the globe with parades, parties and other celebrations all over the map. In major cities across the United States, rivers are dyed green, parades are watched by thousands of spectators and local pubs and restaurants serve famous holiday food staples, such as corned beef & cabbage and adult beverages.
Even though festivities that draw in large crowds, parades and other big parties might be postponed or cancelled again this year due to...
Posted by Emily Pazel
The Christmas tree is an iconic symbol around the world for many reasons. It’s a symbol of timeless traditions, family gatherings and most importantly, a beautifully decorated tree that lights up the holiday season. Many people don’t even think twice about setting up the tree and decorating it with brightly colored ornaments around this time of the year. But have you ever wondered what the Christmas tree represents? Where it all started? Or, maybe where most of the Christmas trees are grown?
In southwestern Pennsylvania, Indiana County is famously known as the “Christmas Tree Capital of the World.” Beginning in 1918, Christmas trees were grown as a popular farm crop, and by 1956, an estimated 700,000 trees in Indiana County were cut. Although other states may now grow more evergreen trees, Indiana County claims to be the first and still proudly holds the grand title.
So, what’s so special about a Christmas tree? With the holiday season in full bloom,...
Posted by Emily Pazel
What could be scarier than ghosts, goblins and witches? How about a scene where Halloween – a favorite spooky holiday celebrated around the world – is canceled due to a global pandemic sweeping the world. Oh, the horror! But really, what will Halloween look like this year? Will mask coverings be incorporated into our costumes? Will trick or treating be canceled?
Fortunately, new cases of the novel Coronavirus have dramatically declined in the state of New York, which was once a hot spot for spreading the virus. However, state advisories and guidelines might impact your favorite spooky Halloween events. And it’s not just Halloween that might be impacted as all your typical fall events, such as football, fall festivals, Thanksgiving, etc., might have to be rescheduled or done a little differently this go around.
New York is taking strides to help its citizens stay healthy while trying to return back to a state of normalcy. The governors of New Yo...
Posted by Emily Pazel
It’s easy to take things for granted, such as the pair of glasses or contacts you use on a daily basis to see the world a little better. In today’s society, people wear glasses almost as commonly as they wear shoes on their feet. In fact, more than 6 out of 10 people wear glasses or contact lenses in order to perform normal daily tasks, such as reading, writing, driving, and generally being able to see things around them.
There are several types of eye conditions and/or problems that can cause blindness or trouble seeing, but the most common problems for blurred vision is when light isn’t focused properly, causing refractive errors, which include:
Myopia (nearsightedness), which is when faraway objects appear blurry
Hyperopia (farsightedness), or when close-up objects look blurry
Astigmatism, which can result in blurry vision because the cornea is not perfectly shaped to direct light into the eye
Presbyopia, of when farsightedness is caused by the loss ...
Posted by Emily Pazel
Spending a few days in the Big Apple around the Thanksgiving holiday is nothing short of magical. With the seasons changing and the holiday season traditions picking up in full swing, it’s a wonderful time to visit or be near New York City, where people come in countless droves all looking for the same thing: the spirit of the holiday season.
If you live in or around the city, you can certainly attest for all the fun, holiday traditions the city brings to life every year. In this blog, we’re going to touch on a few different events that you can bring the family to enjoy this holiday season.
We’re starting off with one of the biggest holiday traditions that has continued to ignite the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday every year.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Every year, this iconic parade that takes place from 77th Street to 34th Street in New York City brings hundreds of thousands of people from around the country f...
Posted by Emily Pazel
Where were you on that September day? That’s the saying people are most familiar with when talking about the tragedy that unfolded on September 11th, 2001. And if you lived in New York City or in the surrounding area during that time, there’s a good chance that your life has never been quite the same since.
When living in New York, even eighteen years later, the month of September has an eerie sadness that looms over the city. Every year, New Yorkers are reminded of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives tragically in a place where they call home. During this month of remembrance, everyone across the country pays respect to the victims and their families, but it’s tough to look at New York City the same, especially when it left a radically altered skyline in the country’s biggest city.
What do you remember most about that day? Maybe it’s the never-ending sounds of sirens that went up and down the streets, or how the sky seemed empty...








