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Tag Archives: History
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Funny Civil War
In the second year of the Civil War, Nathaniel Hawthorne published an article in Atlantic Monthly outlining his unconventional views on the war. American Studies professor Cynthia Wachtell offers her opinion about the piece.
A Cause Unites Unlikely Partners in South Wales
In the 1980s, Welsh coal miners went on strike to oppose the policies of British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. They were surprised to receive support from a group vastly different from them, but united in feeling marginalized by the Thatcher government.
Chinese New Year Traditions
Chinese New Year celebrations were started in order to chase away a mythical beast. Exactly when is Chinese New Year? Why is the dragon one of the favorite animals of this celebration? Find out the answers to these questions and interesting facts and tales in this article and video.
Martin Luther King, Jr.: 8 peaceful protests that bolstered civil rights
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the famous civil rights leader, believed in nonviolent protests against racism. This article describes 8 of the peaceful protests King organized, including the march from Selma, Alabama, and the political rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where he delivered his powerful “I Have a Dream” speech.
Wilma Mankiller, Cherokee Chief and First Woman to Lead Major Tribe, Is Dead at 64
Although she died in 2010, the Cherokee Nation will long remember Wilma Mankiller for her dedication to education, health care, and housing reforms. Find out how her decision to support a protest on Alcatraz Island fostered her leadership and determination to help her community.
Denmark – Oral History: Niels Bamberger
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, has compiled interviews with survivors who escaped from the German invasion of Denmark. Listen to Niels Bamberger’s description of life in his town in Denmark after the Nazi invasion in 1940.
Words From the Past Illuminate a Station on the Way to Freedom
A new book from Eric Foner, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, based on the discovery of journals containing interviews with fugitive slaves, sheds light on how the Underground Railroad really worked. Read about it here.
Alexander Hamilton: The nation’s founding blogger
Before the signing of the Constitution, Federalists and anti-Federalists each wrote a series of essays debating its key points. As the primary author of the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton’s opinions are still regarded today.
Baseball and the Civil War
Before the Civil War, baseball was a regional sport played mostly around New York. Union soldiers then spread the game by playing it during long periods of encampment and in prisoner of war camps.
Protesters Out to Reclaim King’s Legacy, but in Era That Defies Comparison
With social unrest over race and inequality rising, protesters attempt to mold Martin Luther King’s tactics to today’s issues and technology.
NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom
The NAACP has worked from its founding over a hundred years ago to promote equal rights in the United States. Explore this multimedia exhibition from the Library of Congress to learn about the organization’s founders, history, and accomplishments.
History of Valentine’s Day
Each February 14th, people express their love for each other with cards, flowers, and candy. How did this tradition start? This HISTORY feature has the answers.
Sixty Years Later, the Story of PT-109 Still Captivates
In 1943, a Japanese destroyer sank a young American naval lieutenant’s boat in the South Pacific. What followed was a tale of determination and courage, as the crew was saved by that lieutenant—who would one day become President.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
In 1833, Harriet Beecher Stowe witnessed the brutality of slavery on her first trip to the South. What she saw changed her and led to her writing her famous anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, in 1852. Listen to a discussion about her legacy here.
‘Next Stop Is Vietnam’: A War In Song
In this radio piece, NPR looks back at the music written during and about the Vietnam War. Many musicians used protest songs to voice their opposition to the war.
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
John Trumbull’s famous painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence portrays a scene that did not happen. Read the article to learn about the inaccuracies, and click the online extra to explore the painting by hovering over faces to see who is depicted.
The Tank Man
In 1989, many Chinese citizens participated in nonviolent protests favoring a change to democracy. The Chinese government quickly used its military power to put a stop to the protests. The iconic image that exemplifies this brief era is of a lone man confronting a long line of army tanks in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. This Frontline documentary explores the Tank Man’s impact and legacy.
What Democracy Means To Us Today
In 2015, the Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in English history, celebrated its 800th anniversary. The Magna Carta became the model for our own United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. Read about why we should never take a democratic society for granted, and explore the site to learn more.
Japanese American Internment During World War II
While Jewish people were being forced into concentration camps in Europe, thousands of Japanese Americans were fired from their jobs, arrested, and forcibly relocated to internment camps in the United States. Read about why these American citizens suffered this treatment during World War II.