Articles by Kelli Ballard

For Christians, Good Friday is one of the most important holidays of the year because it represents Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to wash away our sins. It was the day he was crucified, only to rise again on Sunday, which we… Read More

The 28th president, Woodrow Wilson, was born December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia. He studied law and received a Ph.D. in political science from Johns Hopkins University. He became a professor of jurisprudence and politics at Princeton in 1890 and… Read More

William Taft (1857-1930) was the 27th president of the United States. He was the only president to also serve as chief justice. Born on September 15, 1857, Taft was raised in a political family. His father, Alphonso, was a Republican… Read More

Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States – but that hadn’t been the plan. Some Republicans didn’t like him and didn’t want him to remain governor of New York. They planned to get rid of him… Read More

It’s Valentine’s Day, a holiday to celebrate romance and love. It’s a time to give out chocolates and poetic cards to loved ones and those you might have a crush on. But who was St. Valentine and why is this… Read More

William McKinley (1843-1901) was the 25th president of the United States and the third to be assassinated. His terms saw the United States in a victory over Spain, freeing Cuba, and leading the nation out of a depression. In 1869,… Read More

Stephen Grover Cleveland (1837 – 1908) was the 22nd president of the United States. Before breaking into politics, he studied law and held several jobs. During the Civil War, Cleveland was able to avoid military service by paying $300 for… Read More

When people think of first ladies, they often picture fancy dresses, state dinners, and polite smiles, but Sarah Polk was something very different. Living in a time when women were expected to stay quiet about politics, she became one of… Read More

John Keats lived just 25 years, published only a small body of work, and spent much of his short life convinced that his poems would not last. He wrote during an era of disease, strict social class boundaries, and ruthless… Read More

Christmas wasn’t always the merry holiday we know today. Many Christians refused to celebrate or honor it, as the date was associated with the Pagan winter solstice. For others, Christmas was a time for solemn prayer. So, what happened to… Read More

Christmastime is filled with holiday traditions and shiny decorations. Symbols like candy canes and mistletoe are displayed, immersing us in the season. But what do these symbols mean, and how did they become associated with Christmas? Stars Whether sitting atop… Read More

Chester A. Arthur (1829 – 1886) became the 21st president in 1881. His presidency was short, and many historians say it wasn’t very memorable – though it was still filled with both controversy and accomplishments. History states he was born… Read More