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A FOUNDING FATHER, A TRAITOR SON

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we examine the fallout between an ardent patriot and his loyalist son during the American Revolution, discover ancient DNA tied to Maya sacrifices ... and grapple with ghostly tales along America's ‘Roads to Nowhere.’ Plus, a Nat Geo quiz (scroll down).

Lithograph of Benjamin Franklin and his son William using a kite and key during Franklin's Lightning Experiment

PHOTOGRAPH BY HULTON ARCHIVE, GETTY IMAGES

Benjamin Franklin was a good dad, giving his only surviving son William tutors from the age of four and the best schools (pictured above, father and son demonstrate the electrical nature of lightning while flying a kite). William, who remained close to his father over the years, emerged as a colonial governor—but when revolutionaries broke away from Britain, he refused to follow his dad.

What could a parent do? Ben Franklin was a beloved Founding Father, but he considered his son as traitor—and refused to reconcile.

IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES

Related: He was the last king of America. Here’s how he lost the colonies.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

The Great Pyramid beneath a starry sky, the upper chamber illuminated with golden light

PHOTOGRAPH BY CRISTINA MITTERMEIER, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

How did the Maya choose sacrifice victims? DNA yields new clues. (Pictured above, the Great Pyramid.)

What are the primary health concerns for women in their 50s?

Effects of trauma—from war and genocide to abuse and environmental factors—could be genetically passed down from one generation to another

Should you switch to decaf coffee?

No women allowed: 5 places that still ban women from entering

The tragic backstory of one of America’s most haunted roads

How the Virgin Mary became the world’s most powerful woman

The ‘Hello Girls’ helped win WWI. Why were their contributions overlooked?

What to eat to manage inflammation in your body

Fathers Day: The 8 best walking shoes for men

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

A man works in a mountain of soybeans

PHOTOGRAPH BY NACHO DOCE, REUTERS/REDUX

This bean is king: First used in China 9,000 years ago, the humble soybean (pictured above, being farmed) has taken over the world, with an estimated 7 percent of our calories coming from soy oil alone. Soy products are found in what percentage of processed foods?

A. 10 percent
B. 40 percent
C. 50 percent
D. 60 percent

CLICK FOR THE ANSWER

Related: Is corn from the U.S. threatening Mexico?

Today’s soundtrack: Feels Like Summer, Childish Gambino

We hope this newsletter brightened your Wednesday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, and Nishita Naga. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

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