Read about poet Robert Hayden and listen to him recite part of one of his most famous poems.
Category Archives: A New Birth of Freedom
The real history of Native American team names
In this article, the writer explores the history and context of Native American team names and logos.
Common 19th-Century Arguments Against Women’s Suffrage, Neatly Refuted
Take a look at this pamphlet from 1866. In it the author gives common arguments against affording women the right to vote and then refutes each one.
In New Bedford, Frederick Douglass Finds Refuge as a Fugitive Slave
Listen to this account of Frederick Douglass’s first years of freedom.
3 Reasons Why Chinese Workers Were the MVP’s on the Transcontinental Railroad
Chinese immigrants made significant contributions to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Completed in 1869, their work went largely unrecognized at the time.
PRO AND CON: Should Confederate monuments be removed?
Read two differing arguments about whether Confederate statues should be removed from public places. Remember to analyze the authors’ reasoning and supporting evidence.
Sherman’s March to the Sea: A military triumph left a bitter legacy
In 1864, William Tecumseh Sherman led a hard-war strategy of pillaging and destorying property in the South, leaving civilians depleted.
The Fight for Women’s Suffrage
The fight for women’s suffrage did not begin or end when the Civil War was over. Explore the complete history of the fight for women’s right to vote, and browse photo galleries and videos about the soldiers in the fight.
How I teach students about equality: only Smarties have the answer
PhD student Agnes Arnold-Foster talks about how distributing candy to students in various ways led to a discussion of equality and fairness.
‘Emancipating Lincoln’: A Pragmatic Proclamation
Read or listen to this account of Abraham Lincoln’s mindset leading up to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. View the artwork depicting the event at the bottom of article.
Why Reconstruction Matters
Columbia University history professor Eric Foner argues that Reconstruction ended before it could become truly successful, and he draws parallels to current affairs.
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Roiled U.S. on Eve of Civil War
In his new book, author and professor Randall Fuller investigates how abolitionists and slaveholders reacted to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. In this Q&A, he shares what he discovered.
The Psychology of Freedom
Neuroscientist William Skaggs uses motivational psychology to explore the concept of freedom.
HerStory: The Women Behind the 19th Amendment
Though the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, wasn’t ratified until 1920, much of the groundwork for women’s suffrage was laid during the abolitionist movement preceding the Civil War.
The Words That Remade America
Historian Gary Wills discusses the significance of the Gettysburg Address.
The Perilous Lure of the Underground Railroad
Journalist Kathryn Shulz examines fictional accounts of fugitive slaves navigating the underground railroad, the accuracy of those accounts, and why we are drawn to them.
The Lost History: Help Us Find the Declaration of Sentiments
In this White House blog post, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith outlines the importance of the Declaration of Sentiments, which called for the equal rights of women, and asks for tips from the public to find the historic document.
At American Art: A New Look on How Artists Recorded the Civil War
This article analyzes an art exhibition that featured paintings and photographs created during the Civil War. It examines the metaphorical landscapes and realistic depictions of everyday life.
Top 10 Civil War Innovations: Slide Show
From pocket watches and standard shoe sizes to rifles and battleships, many new products were invented during the Civil War.
Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 effectively ended Reconstruction, handing control of the last Republican-held southern states back to the Democrats. Read about what led to the compromise and its effects.