Joseph McGill, Jr., a descendant of slaves, has slept in 41 of the remaining slave dwellings so far. He hopes to bring awareness to the small buildings that housed slaves before the buildings all disappear.
Tag Archives: History
Bessie Coleman
In the face of countless obstacles, Bessie Coleman was determined to become a pilot. Read about her pioneering efforts to become the first African American female pilot in American history.
Anne Frank’s arrest might not have stemmed from betrayal
New research from the Anne Frank House suggests that Anne and her family may have not in fact been betrayed by someone who knew about their hiding place. Read to learn more.
Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells was a journalist who spoke out for women’s rights and against lynching, amongst numerous other issues. Watch a mini-biography, and learn more about Wells at this site.
Remembering Earthquake Shacks, San Francisco’s Original Tiny Houses
After the 1906 earthquake and fire that destroyed a large portion of San Francisco, refugee camps of very small houses were built. They were later moved to different parts of the city and some still exist today.
The Curse of King Tut: Facts & Fable
Is the curse surrounding King Tut’s tomb real? Some people think so— read about why.
America Has Tried Reparations Before. Here Is How it Went
Descendants of enslaved people may be entitled to reparations, but what can we learn from previous attempts to compensate people for a wrong?
Public Understanding of the Holocaust, from WWII to Today
It’s said that hindsight is 20/20; looking back, the horrors of the Holocaust are clear. But what did Americans think at the time?
Without the Right to Protest, America Is Doomed to Fail
The author of this opinion piece wants to remind those who call for an end to Black Lives Matter protests that the right to protest is crucial to the health of American democracy.
How teachers are debunking some of the myths of Thanksgiving
Consider what you’ve learned about Thanksgiving over the years. How does it compare to what is said in this video?
‘There are no words’: As coronavirus kills Indigenous elders, endangered languages face extinction
Tapi Yawalapiti is one of the remaining two people who know the Yawalapiti language. He’s doing all he can to to ensure it’s not completely lost one day.
Welcome to the Museum of the American Revolution’s Virtual Tour
Check out this extensive virtual tour of the Museum of the American Revolution! Move through different rooms and click on artifacts to learn about an important part of American history.
What Thanksgiving means for Native Americans
While Thanksgiving can mean many different things to different people, it is important to acknowledge the truth of the holiday and not perpetuate historical inaccuracies.
Why the Black National Anthem is Lifting Every Voice to Sing
This song, endowed with its deep history of Black pride, speaks to the universal human condition.
First Encounters in the Americas
Consider the initial meeting of Arawaks and Europeans through a fresh, critical lens.
Five Myths About the U.S. Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service was established by the Constitution to provide links vital to democracy. Find out the facts that dispel some prevalent myths.
How a History Textbook Would Describe 2020 So Far
How might students in the future learn about the pivotal year of 2020? Read one historian’s chapter, written when the year was only half over.
Emily Dickinson is the unlikely hero of our time
Emily Dickinson confined herself to her home for much of her lifetime. She also experienced a series of deaths of people who were important to her. The author of this piece suggests that Dickinson’s ways of dealing with solitude and grief make her particularly relevant in the era of coronavirus.
Human impact on nature ‘dates back millions of years’
Have humans ever truly lived in harmony with the natural world? According to recent research, the activities of early human ancestors may have caused animal extinctions, not unlike the way human actions threaten many species today.
A Newly Digitized Logbook Documents Life and Death on a Slave Trading Ship
A slave ship’s logbook was recently found and sent to Georgetown University for preservation. Its record of enslaved lives lost during the ship’s voyage is both tragic and telling.