Articles by Kelli Ballard

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

James A. Garfield (1831–1881) was the 20th president of the United States. Although his term, and life, were cut short by an assassin just a few months after being elected, his legacy as both a soldier and a leader remain…. Read More

Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893) became the 19th president of the United States in 1877. He was the first president to be elected by the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote, which earned him the nickname “His Fraudulency” by his… Read More

Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) was the 18th president of the United States. Unlike former commanders in chief, he did not have a background in politics and was elected more because of his military achievements during the war than anything else…. Read More

Andrew Johnson (1808–1875) was the 17th president of the United States and the first to ever be impeached. In 1829, he was elected alderman in Greeneville, Tennessee. Andrew Jackson was elected president that same year, a man who Johnson shared… Read More

Words can hop, skip, and even dance on the page when you’re reading a poem by E. E. Cummings. He didn’t believe poetry had to sit still. To him, words were alive, meant to move, twist, and surprise. E.E. Cummings… Read More

Julia Tyler didn’t just step into the role of first lady. She marched in with music, dancing, and a makeover plan for the White House. At only 24 years old, she became one of the youngest first ladies in US… Read More

Imagine someone who loved the sound of waves breaking on the shore, the chatter of a busy street, and the soft rustle of grass underfoot, and then turned all those sounds into poetry. That person was Walt Whitman. He was… Read More

On January 2, 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the Constitution and join the Union. As with most of America, Georgia was inhabited by native people long before any Europeans came to the land. Although there were various… Read More