history of cats

A clipped scanned newspaper about a man mistakenly putting an ad in the papers for 10,000 bushels of cats instead of oats.

This Man Wanted Oats, Instead He Got Cats

Caitlin Dempsey

In 1910, a man didn't proofread his ad for 10,000 bushels of oats and got 5,000 cats sent to him instead.

Black cats and pumpkin Halloween decorations

Why Are Black Cats a Symbol of Halloween?

Caitlin Dempsey

Black cats, witches, ghosts, and pumpkins are all commons symbols of Halloween.

A 1902 political cartoon showing an upset husband holding two kids while his wife leaves the kitchen to go vote.

Cats and Women’s Right to Vote

Julianna Rokusek

During the period of women’s suffrage in the 1900s, cats frequently used as a symbolic of the women's right to vote movement in the U.S. and the U.K.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with the head of a kitten. Via Library of Congress, between 1880 and 1890.

Postcards with Cats on Them: Happy New Year

Caitlin Dempsey

These vintage Happy New Year postcards features fun cats and kittens.