Explore significant stops along the Underground Railroad on this interactive map.
Tag Archives: History
Martin Luther King, Jr. found inspiration in Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau inspired generations of international protesters with his essay, “Civil Disobedience.” Read how famous figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. transformed Thoreau’s words into impactful actions.
6 Unsung Heroes of the American Revolution
Most people know about George Washington and other key players of the American Revolution, but many other people contributed to the United States’ ultimate success. Read about 6 lesser-known heroes here.
Montana House Approves Replacing Columbus Day With ‘Indigenous Peoples Day’
The Montana House of Representatives voted to join several other states in celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. However, the fight for recognition is not over yet!
How 19th-Century Women Used Department Stores to Gain Their Freedom
In the 1870s, the creation of deparatment stores gave women a socially acceptably way to leave the home, both as shoppers and as part of the workforce.
The curious history of the Nobel Peace Prize
Read about the history of the Nobel Peace Prize and some of its recipients.
6 Southern Unionist Strongholds During the Civil War
It’s easy to think of the two sides in the Civil War as monoliths, in which everyone supported the side where they lived. But many Southerners opposed secession and even fought as part of the Union Army.
The Holocaust Train That Led Jews to Freedom Instead of Death
In the waning days of World War II, a group of prisoners from Bergen-Belsen did something that seemed unthinkable: They boarded a train to leave the camp.
National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage
Read about the history of opposition to women’s suffrage and view historical documents and images pertaining to the issue in this resource from the National Women’s History Museum.
When Slavery Is Erased From Plantations
Slavery was a brutal institution in the era of the United States’ founding, but many historical sites fail to address the entwined legacy of former presidents and those they enslaved.
Should America Take Down Monuments That Romanticize Conquistadors?
Statues of conquistadors are facing many of the same criticisms as Confederate statues. How should we treat these statues? Read the article for commentary on a complicated issue.
Holocaust jacket found at tag sale leads to a life story
One Holocaust survivor’s story is told after the jacket he wore at a concentration camp was found
Why MLK Encouraged 225,000 Chicago Kids to Cut Class in 1963
Ten years after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, Chicago’s schools remained segregated and unequal. Over 200,000 children protested the conditions.
WWII love letters tell of romance and tragedy
Letters from World War II reveal a love story that ended in tragedy.
Holocaust and memory: An alarming new study shows growing ignorance
If it’s true that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat its mistakes, then young Americans may have a big problem.
The remarkable power of sport to bring about reconciliation
Journalist James Richradson argues that sports can break down barriers and bring people together.
The Words That Remade America
Garry Wills, journalist and historian, recounts the events surrounding the Gettysburg Address and argues that Lincoln’s words changed the way Americans viewed country’s founding documents.
How the long history of leaderless movements helps us understand the ‘yellow vests’ protests
This article compares current protests in France to the Swing riots in 19th-centurty England. Both lack a leader and spread by word-of-mouth.
The myth of the modernizing dictator
In the 1920s and 1930s, many Americans thought Joseph Stalin would reform the Soviet Union. The author of this opinion piece believes it’s wishful thinking to believe that dictators will modernize their countries in ways that move them toward democracy.
Children of the Civil War: On the Home Front
The Civil War wasn’t only confined to battlefields. Find out how the war directly affected the lives of children on both sides of the battle lines.