American History

National Museum of American History Names New Board Leadership

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Board recently elected Enrique Segura, chairman of the board of ENSE Group LLC, and Barbara Franklin, former U.S. secretary of commerce and business executive, to lead its 22-member advisory board. 

Register for Profs and Pints with Denver Brunsman: The 1814 Burning of Washington

Historian Denver Brunsman will join the Profs and Pints series of (virtual) discussions to talk about the British attack on Washington in 1814 and its impact on American nationalism and the local urban boosters of the capital city. 

How Wood Helped America Become Great – But Mislay its Sense of History

by Roland Ennos

Industrializing America's infrastructure was much more likely than Europe's to be made of wood. This accident of nature and geography helped drive rapid expansion, but today means much of the 19th century built environment of the United States has vanished. 

How America’s Credibility Gap Hurts the Defense of Rights Abroad

The U.S. government’s response to anti-racism protests risks causing lasting damage to American credibility and influence in protecting minorities and oppressed groups worldwide.

Dorothea Lange’s Angel of History

by Rebecca Solnit

As is so often the case with Dorothea Lange’s photographs and maybe with nearly all photographs, the meaning of the image comes in part from beyond the frame.

Ah, Tea. So Relaxing. But Its History Is Another Story.

A room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art tells the story of tea and politics, from China to Britain and that “party” in Boston.

Historians Must Contextualize the Election For Voters

by Joanne B. Freeman

Historian Joanne B. Freeman explains why this information is crucial for getting the election right.

Deep Division: Comparing Today and the 1960s

by Donne Levy

America is a deeply divided nation. That fact may be the only thing that Americans of all racial, ethnic, and political groups can agree about.

Who Can be An American?

by Donald J. Fraser

The challenge of our times, especially in the upcoming 2020 election, is to continue our commitment to a creedal vision of America. We need to make a reality of the opening words of our Constitution, that “We the People” means all people who share the American Creed.

What Will the Next Decade Bring? The 1920s Offer an Answer

by Ted Widmer

It has been a long time since the winter of 1920, but the old fault lines are still visible.

The Twitterstorians Trying to De-Trumpify American History

In a time when President Trump and his followers are known for spreading dubious versions of American history, historians are taking to Twitter to set the record straight.

New PBS Documentary "McCarthy" Highlights a Tumultuous Time in Our History

by Julia Brown

Director Sharon Grimberg discusses her new documentary "McCarthy," premiering on American Experience January 6, 2020. 

Mary Jo Binker on Eleanor Roosevelt and Advice for Future Historians

by Isabella DelPino

“You know what I love about Eleanor Roosevelt and the thing that I try to emulate the most about Eleanor Roosevelt? She had tremendous zest for life and for new experience and that animates me.”

Turns out, The Rockettes’ Annual Christmas Spectacular Hasn’t Always Been So Spectacular

by Isabella DelPino

The hidden history of the Radio City Rockettes.

A Historic Crime in the Making

by Rebecca Gordon

400 years of history leading up to Donald Trump. 

Michael Kazin Reviews Eric Foner's Latest Book, The Second Founding

by Michael Kazin

Eric Foner’s story of American freedom, The Second Founding, sheds new light on how the Civil War and Reconstruction influenced the Constitution.

Elections in Colonial America Were Huge, Booze-Fueled Parties

Candidate George Washington plied potential voters with 47 gallons of beer, 35 gallons of wine, 2 gallons of cider, 3 1/2 pints of brandy and a whopping 70 gallons of rum punch.

Why Is Iowa the First State to Vote?

Since 1972, the Iowa Caucus has been the first—and some argue most important—electoral test on the road to each party’s presidential nomination. But how did it get that way? 

‘Like chasing shadows’: Uncovering Colonial Williamsburg’s LGBTQ history

Researchers plan to comb through available court documents, particularly from trials for those prosecuted under sodomy laws, as well as uncover other clues that can be found in letters or in poetry and art.

How America Ends

by Yoni Appelbaum

A tectonic demographic shift is under way. Can the country hold together?