Anika Burgess

Jan 17, 2025 | atlasobscura.com | Anika Burgess |Michael Waters |Sarah Laskow |Jessie Guy-Ryan

Presidential pageantry has always been a part of American politics, from the grandeur of Inauguration Day to campaign-trail theatrics to victory celebrations. Through the years, presidents have shown an affinity for flair—whether it’s cheesy campaign logos, over-the-top merchandise, photoshopped portraits, or massive inaugural parade floats. In these five stories, we explore how presidents spare no expense when it comes to making an impression.

Apr 5, 2024 | atlasobscura.com | Jeffrey Brown |Cara Giamo |Natalie Zarrelli |Anika Burgess

An adaptation of Banksy’s “Flower Bomber,” this image shows a librarian throwing Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid's Tale. Librarians have never been a quiet bunch: Information, after all, is power. To mark National Library Week—typically celebrated the second full week of April—Atlas Obscura, fittingly, went into the archives to find our favorite stories of librarians who have fostered cultural movements, protected national secrets, and fought criminals.

Dec 1, 2023 | atlasobscura.com | Anika Burgess |Jessica Leigh Hester |Dan Nosowitz |Sara Murphy

If you find everything on your loved ones’ wishlists online this year, you might miss out on the most interesting part of the holiday experience—stores themselves. Or maybe not. Our gift to you this holiday season: the best shopping stories from the Atlas Obscura archives, so you can explore tales of architecture, linguistics, subcultures, secrets, and yes, cats—without leaving home.

Nov 3, 2023 | atlasobscura.com | Anika Burgess |Anne Ewbank |Gastro Obscura |Paula Mejia

The Tuesday after the first Monday in November became Election Day in the United States largely by default. When uniform day for presidential elections was set in the 19th century, the country was mostly a Christian, rural, agrarian society. Sunday was for worship, Wednesday was a market day, and because some people would have to travel long distances to the polls, Monday and Thursday were out, too.

Nov 7, 2021 | realclearbooks.com | Anika Burgess