Political Divisions Led to Violence in the U.S. Senate in 1856
The horrific caning of Charles Sumner on the floor of the Senate in 1856 marked one of the most divisive moments in U.S. political history.
Politics and Power in the United States: A Syllabus
Historical and scholarly context for the January 6, 2021 insurrection.
The Hidden Meaning of a Notorious Experiment
In Stanley Milgram's studies of obedience, people believed they were giving shocks to others. But did their compliance say much about the Nazis?
The Campus Underground Press
The 1960s and 70s were a time of activism in the U.S., and therefore a fertile time for campus newspapers and the alternative press.
The Trouble with “Native DNA”
Genetic testing to determine who is Native American is problematic, argues Native American studies scholar Kim TallBear.
Teaching US History with JSTOR Daily
A survey course may be the only college-level history course a student takes. Here's an easy way to incorporate fascinating scholarship.
Jefferson’s Jesus, Protest Photos, and Ancient Ice
Well-researched stories from The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and other publications that bridge the gap between news and scholarship.
Desegregating the Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts had always professed that they were open to all girls. But how did that play out in segregated cities?
Verbatim: Jonas Salk
Virologist Jonas Salk led the team that developed the breakthrough vaccine for polio. He was also a social critic.
When Mambo Was King, Its Creators Were Stereotyped
As a style of Afro-Cuban music and dance, mambo was considered "primitive." And not just by white North Americans.