Jordan Friedman Archives

Stories

Directional sign to destinations in Death Valley, California.

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How Are Places Named in the US?

Place names are rooted in Indigenous languages, physical characteristics and honorifics for politicians and pioneers—and they can be controversial.

When Cigarette Warning Labels Led to a Crackdown on Smoking

The 1965 U.S. law requiring health warnings on cigarette packs played a key role in bringing about a new era of tobacco regulation.

Why the Name of Alaska’s Peak Changed From Mt. McKinley to Denali

A gold prospector dubbed the peak Mount McKinley in 1896, but Alaskans have historically championed Denali, a name rooted in its Native American history.

How Health Insurance Got Its Start in America

A 1929 prepaid hospital plan created in Dallas gave rise to early health insurance companies—and helped spur the growth of a major industry.