Celebrating the wit of 'Silent Cal' Coolidge

+ the science of fireworks US Edition - Today's top story: Let's spare a few words for 'Silent Cal' Coolidge on July 4, his 150th birthday [View in browser]( US Edition | 4 July 2022 [The Conversation]( It’s July 4. And for many in the United States, that means fireworks! BBQ! A day off from work! Celebrating the life and times of Calvin Coolidge? Okay, that last bit might be a stretch. Indeed, the country’s 30th president – born 150 years ago today – didn’t go down in history as one of the greats. But the dry wit of Coolidge, who served as president in the early to mid-1920s, endures, writes IUPUI journalism scholar Chris Lamb. Coolidge once said, “I think the American public wants a solemn ass as a president,” [Lamb recalls](. “And I think I’ll go along with them.” Lamb explains that “fireworks rarely followed Coolidge during his political career” – but he still often got the last word. In celebration of “Silent Cal,” he heads today’s newsletter list, which also includes a selection of stories from The Conversation archive on the theme of July 4. Also today: - [How climate change affects food safety]( - [School segregation post-Brown v. Board]( - [When it comes to gooey snacks, s'more the merrier]( Amy Lieberman Politics + Society Editor President Calvin Coolidge stands with members of a nonprofit group called the Daughters of 1812. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images [Let’s spare a few words for ‘Silent Cal’ Coolidge on July 4, his 150th birthday]( Chris Lamb, IUPUI US President Calvin Coolidge hasn’t gone down in history for his triumphs or failures as president during the 1920s – but his dry sense of humor carries on. Environment + Energy - [Climate change is putting food safety at risk more often, and not just at picnics and parties]( Elena N. Naumova, Tufts University Climate change has a clear link to rising foodborne illnesses. An epidemiologist explains a growing problem that puts lives at risk. Education - [Decades after Brown v. Board, US schools still struggle with segregation – 4 essential reads]( Jeff Inglis, The Conversation The effort to give every student equal access to an education has lasted decades and may need even more time before the goal is reached. Economy + Business - [Yes, fireworks prices are skyrocketing, but there should be plenty of bottle rockets and sparklers for you and your family this Fourth of July]( Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University The latest data shows imports of bottle rockets, sparklers and other fireworks at a record pace, even as consumer demand appears likely to wane. That could create opportunities for patient revelers. Ethics + Religion - [Frederick Douglass, July 4th, and remembering Babylon in America]( David W. Stowe, Michigan State University Frederick Douglass used the words of Psalm 137 in his famous speech, ‘What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?’ For centuries, this poem has resonated with writers and composers on how humans deal with trauma. Science + Technology - [Red, white but rarely blue – the science of fireworks colors, explained]( Paul E. Smith, Purdue University Most of us look forward to the fireworks on the Fourth of July. But did you ever wonder how the chemists create those colors that light up the night sky? Are some colors harder to create than others? Politics + Society - [The Declaration of Independence wasn’t really complaining about King George, and 5 other surprising facts for July Fourth]( Woody Holton, University of South Carolina A scholar of early US history celebrates the country’s birthday with six under-appreciated ideas about the founding document. Arts + Culture - [A brief history of the s'more, America’s favorite campfire snack]( Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University The gooey treat couldn’t have become popularized without the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, which brought cheap sweets to the masses. From our international editions - [How the music of an ancient rock painting was brought to life]( - [Higgs boson: ten years after its discovery, why this particle could unlock new physics beyond the standard model]( - [Why Ms. Marvel matters so much to Muslim, South Asian fans]( Reader Comments 💬 “The immunity from vaccines starts to wane after 6 months. Thus, if you are going to be exposed to the virus such as through summer travels, etc and you cannot wait, you could use the mix and match vaccines. But if you were boosted recently or not likely to get exposed to the virus in summer, you could wait till late Fall to early Winter because several better and new vaccines are on the horizon as detailed in our article.” – Author Prakash Nagarkatti on the story [Should you get a COVID-19 booster shot now or wait until fall? Two immunologists help weigh the options]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](