Lesley Kennedy

Denver

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Reporting on fashion, beauty, family, trends and more!

Articles

How the Sunrise Service Became an Easter Tradition

6 days ago | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

Pre-Dawn Prayers and Biblical SymbolismThe early morning service has roots in the Bible and ancient customs. “Dawn, even pre-dawn, was the common time to wake in the ancient world,” Wilhite says. “Ancient Judaism had three times of prayer a day, including a dawn/early morning prayer.”From Christianity’s earliest days, he adds, pre-dawn prayers were a daily practice, and every Sunday was celebrated with a pre-dawn service.
The Surprising History of April

3 weeks ago | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

The month of April, synonymous with the earth reawakening after winter, often brings the spring storms that inspired the famous proverb, “April showers bring May flowers.” The saying highlights nature's cycles of renewal that have been observed for centuries. It was most likely modernized from the line “Swéete April showers, Doo spring Maie flowers” from a poem by Thomas Tusser in his 16th-century collection A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry.
The Surprising History of March

1 month ago | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

March, the third month in the Gregorian calendar, is well-known for its unpredictable spring weather (“in like a lion and out like a lamb”), NCAA basketball (a.k.a. “March Madness”), and, of course, St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras celebrations. But March is also tied to ancient beginnings, historic events and even animal antics. Here’s a closer look.
The Jolly Leprechaun's Sinister Origins

1 month ago | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

Cheerful, prank-loving leprechauns are beloved symbols of luck and prosperity in Ireland and for the millions of Americans with Irish roots. But centuries-old legends about the diminutive shoemaking creatures painted them differently, as mischievous and sometimes menacing tricksters. Irish folklore, rich with medieval accounts of dark fairies and goblins, portrayed the mythical humanoids—always described as no more than two or three feet tall—as were fearful beings.
The 1961 Plane Crash That Devastated US Figure Skating

2 months ago | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

On a winter day in 1961, a catastrophic plane crash in Belgium claimed the lives of the entire U.S. figure skating team, casting a shadow over the world of sports. As the nation mourned the loss of the 18 athletes, coaches, officials, family members and other passengers and crew, the incident left a lasting impact on the skating community.
Thomas Jefferson: 6 Facts About His Family and Upbringing

Jan 15, 2025 | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

Thomas Jefferson, one of America's most revered Founding Fathers, is best remembered for his role in writing the Declaration of Independence and serving as the third president of the United States. However, less is known about his formative years. From his privileged upbringing on a Virginia plantation to his intellectual awakening under the tutelage of Enlightenment-influenced thinkers, Jefferson's early life helped lay the groundwork for his philosophy and political career.
The Biggest Manhunts in US History

Dec 9, 2024 | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

From infamous criminals like the Unabomber and Osama bin Laden to notorious outlaws such as Bonnie and Clyde, throughout U.S. history, dramatic manhunts, often involving extensive law enforcement resources and sometimes spanning years, have captured the public's imagination. In 1950, the FBI launched its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives program, which has led to the location or capture of nearly 500 dangerous fugitives.
Why American Communities Began Adding Fluoride to Water

Nov 15, 2024 | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

Community water fluoridation, hailed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the 20th century’s greatest public health interventions, has significantly reduced cavities and improved dental health in the U.S. since its inception in 1945. This practice stemmed from observations in Colorado Springs in the early 1900s, where residents with brown-stained teeth, later linked to high fluoride levels, also had lower rates of tooth decay.
State of Play | Lawmakers Weigh In on State Minimum Wage Rates

Oct 29, 2024 | ncsl.org | Lesley Kennedy

In the landscape of American labor, the minimum wage remains a key issue. While a federal minimum wage of $7.25 has been in place since 2009, state laws vary significantly across the country. Currently, 30 states and Washington, D.C., have set their minimum wages above the federal baseline, while five states have not adopted a minimum wage. Washington has the highest state minimum wage at $16.28, and the district's is $17. Georgia and Wyoming have the lowest minimum wages at $5.15 per hour.
How President Grover Cleveland Won Two Nonconsecutive Terms

Oct 9, 2024 | history.com | Lesley Kennedy

Grover Cleveland has been noted for his reformist agenda and opposition to tariffs that presaged the free-trade movement of the 1890s. But the 22nd and 24th president of the United States is perhaps best known for winning two non-consecutive terms in the White House—a feat only Donald Trump has matched with his win in the 2024 presidential election. In 1884, Cleveland, a Democrat, overcame a sex scandal to defeat Republican nominee James Blaine in a narrow victory.