Historians in the News

After fierce debate, Jeffco Board adopts curriculum review panels, includes teachers and students

Opponents accuse board majority of breaking policy

James M. McPherson: By the Book (Interview)

The author, most recently, of “Embattled Rebel: Jefferson Davis as Commander in Chief” says that coming of age in Minnesota in the ’50s, he saw the South as “a mysterious, almost foreign land.”

Historian Charles B. Strozier says drought in Syria helped bring about ISIS

by Charles B. Strozier and Kelly A. Berkell

Drought did not singlehandedly spawn the Syrian uprising, but it stoked simmering anger at Assad's dictatorship.

Questions remain after Jeffco curriculum review vote

It's not immediately clear whether the new committee will review the AP US history course.

Former Stanford history professor George Knoles dies at 107

Theodore Roosevelt was president of the United States when George Knoles was born. Nineteen presidents later, on Aug. 27, the Stanford history professor died, having seen a century of history firsthand.

Students sound off at Colorado school board meeting about history controversy

Students let the Jefferson County school board know they want history warts and all.

Jewish-Studies Scholars Condemn List of ‘Anti-Semitic’ Professors

"[The] technique of monitoring lectures, symposia and conferences strains the basic principle of academic freedom on which the American university is built."

Historian to Lead Notre Dame's First New School in Almost a Century

A conversation with a group of biologists who study climate change led R. Scott Appleby, a historian, to refine some of his thinking about the new school he would lead at the University of Notre Dame.

How Cuban Music Made Me a Better Historian

“If you want to learn anything about the history of this country, you have to start listening to Carlos Varela.”

British Empire in India: Historians and journalists debate

The speakers assembled in London to debate the motion ‘The Indian sub-continent benefited more than it lost from the experience of British Colonialism.’

Ken Burns's surprising discovery about his Revolutionary War ancestor

Henry Louis Gates uncovers Americans' unsuspecting ancestry in his PBS series. The latest to face a surprising truth -- Ken Burns. 

When does history end?

"There is no automatic cut-off point for when history stops and current affairs begin."

Colorado Students Strip Naked in Protest of ‘Censorship’ of AP History Classes

Pictures and videos from Colorado.

They should give this definition of History to all first year undergrads on their first day

A tweet that says it all.

Field Report: What I learned by attending a workshop on Korean history

by Ron Eisenman

A compelling reason to learn about Korea is that there are 1.5 million Koreans in America, many with incredible stories.

Historians suggest ways California can integrate gay history into the school curriculum

A 2011 law in California requires schools to teach gay history. 

Now it’s Andrew Bacevich’s turn to do a MOOC

It will replicate the course he taught for years at BU: War for the Greater Middle East

Historian enlists Plato in campaign to win converts to an exciting way to teach history

by Mark Carnes

"During the past decade, some faculty members and administrators have discovered that the motivational power of "bad play" can be harnessed to academic purposes."

Teachers walkout in Colorado over AP history controversy and pay

Classes were canceled at Golden and Jefferson high schools after 81 percent and 70 percent of teachers called in sick respectively.

The Hong Kong events in historical perspective: An interview with Jeffrey Wasserstrom

by Zack Beauchamp

"There's been tension between Hong Kong and Beijing for some time. When did it start becoming acute, and why is it boiling over now?"