Racism, the South, and Helen Keller
As one of her day’s most famous Southerners, Helen Keller was uniquely poised to point out—and challenge—that troubled racial heritage.
The Great Sparrow War of the 1870s
The "sparrow war" in the United States in the 1870s ended with a resounding victory… for the sparrows.
The Story of Juneteenth
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863. It took over two years for the news to reach some enslaved people.
Happy Flag Day! (What is Flag Day?)
What is Flag Day, again? Early American flags were all over the place. There was no consensus about the flag until 25 years after the Revolution.
A Brief History of Tobacco in America
Over the past 50 years, the portion of Americans who smoke dropped has dropped from 42 to 15 percent. The precipitous decline could mean the end of the fascination.
The Confirmation of Louis D. Brandeis
Louis D. Brandeis was confirmed as a Supreme Court justice a century ago. The protracted nomination process may sound familiar.
What Red Light Ladies Reveal About the American West
Prostitution and sex work are useful metric for historians seeking insight into the American West.
A Critical Look at Gilded Age Philanthropy
The 125th anniversary of the opening of Carnegie Hall on May 5th provides an opportunity to examine Andrew Carnegie's legacy and philanthropy.
The Politics of the Louisiana Purchase
In a treaty signed in Paris on April 30, France swapped 828,000 square miles of North America to the U.S. for $15 million.
Pulp Nonfiction: The Unlikely Origin of American Mass Media
How wood pulp paper created the American mass media.