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The Washington Post

Retropod

The Post's new Retropolis columnist, Petula Dvorak, introduces herself and reintroduces you to what can be uncovered with a good look at history. 

Petula shares her Retropolis column "The presidential inauguration that made everyone sick" about the aftermath of James Buchanan’s inauguration. America became obsessed: Was the fatal illness called the “Buchanan Grip” an assassination attempt? Or just a disease-ridden hotel?

The presidential inauguration that made everyone sick

On Christmas Eve in 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts captured an image that symbolizes hope and inspired environmentalism.

Earthrise

On March 25, 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were a few days into their marriage when they invited the press to join them at their honeymoon suite at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel.

Hair peace. Bed peace.

Jazz singer Ethel Ennis’s voice wowed audiences and won praise from critics. But when she was faced with the opportunity to become a superstar, Ennis chose a different path.

The jazz queen who chose home over fame

The nurse who founded the American Red Cross had no formal training in medicine. She tended to countless wounded soldiers.

Clara Barton, America's most famous nurse, broke boundaries to treat Civil War victims

In the 1950s, a child trying to call Santa Claus accidentally called NORAD and changed Christmas Eve forever.

The military's famous Santa Tracker began with a wrong number

Toys R Us founder Charles Lazarus had no idea how big the toy industry would become.

The 'Toy King' who never aspired to the throne.

After the Civil War, formerly enslaved people placed notices in black-owned newspapers across the country to find their loved ones.

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A few days before his team took the field as huge underdogs in Super Bowl III, New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath made what was seen as an insane prediction at the time: "The Jets will win Sunday," he said. "I guarantee it."

How 'Broadway Joe' redefined the NFL

In the 1950s, Charles Van Doren, a quiet professor in New York City, became wrapped up in one of the biggest television quiz show scandals in history.

The game show contestant who cheated his way to fame

Designer Louis Réard left automotive engineering to work in his mother’s lingerie business. He decided to compete with another design to create the world’s smallest swimsuit.

How a textile shortage led to the invention of the bikini

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