Tag Archives: History

Decomposing Bodies in the 1720s Gave Birth to the First Vampire Panic

Count Dracula, Nosferatu, the Cullens. What do they have in common aside from a shared aversion to sunlight? Their roots could be traced to similar vampire panics and folklore. Click to read more.

9 Things You May Not Know About the Declaration of Independence

Read nine interesting, yet not-so-well-known stories about the people, places, and events surrounding one of America’s most important founding documents.

The History of Naturalization Requirements in the U.S.

The process of becoming a U.S. citizen has undergone many changes over 200 years. This detailed timeline tells the story.

The Time Shakespeare Caused a Riot in New York City

Can you imagine a riot breaking out in response to a disagreement about which actor did a better job in the role of Macbeth? That’s what happened in 1849 in New York. Click to learn more.

What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack?

Learn why an academic approach toward examining lingering effects of slavery has turned into a hot-button topic.

Remembering History: Ruby Bridges

Read about how six-year-old Ruby Bridges advanced the civil rights cause when she became the first Black student to integrate a southern elementary school.

Matthew Henson, the Arctic Explorer Who Stood on Top of the World

Read about the controversy surrounding Matthew Henson’s claim as the first person to reach the North Pole.

Growing Up Colored

Henry Louis Gates describes what it was like to grow up as an African American in a West Virginia town in the 1950s.

Making Maps Under Fire During the Revolutionary War

Maps, and sometimes their inaccuracy, played an important role in the French and Indian War and in the Revolutionary War.

News for All: How the Immigrant Experience Shaped American Media

Read about how ethnic media has provided a link between immigrants’ old countries and their new homes in the United States throughout history.

Spanish American War

Read this overview of the Spanish American War and watch the related video about Theodore Roosevelt’s role in it.

Photography and the Civil War, 1861–1865

Read about the work of Civil War photographers, who mostly shot post-battle scenes and camp life, because the laborious process prohibited them from safely documenting the action of battle. Click the image at the top to view a slideshow of photos from the time.

150 Years Later, Myths Persist about the Emancipation Proclamation

What did the Emancipation Proclamation really do? Three myths about this document are addressed in this article, which was written for the 150th anniversary of its signing.

The Secret Annex Online

Go back in time to explore the hiding place of Anne Frank on this website. With background information on the people, places, and things that happened, as well as an interactive 3D model of the secret annex, this site provides a truly immersive experience.

Gilded Age Wives Set Philanthropy’s Gold Standard

The philanthropy of the wives of some of the richest men in American history supported universities, museums, and other institutions. They redefined the traditional role of wealthy women, setting a standard for today’s philanthropic community. Learn more in this short feature.

What Happened To British Loyalists After The Revolutionary War?

At the time of the American Revolution, not every colonist wanted to sever ties with the British Crown. In this short interview, a historian describes the perils of being a Loyalist during and following the Revolutionary War.

Reconstruction and Its Aftermath

View artifacts from the Reconstruction era, including artworks, pamphlets, maps, and more.

Meet Angela, The First Named African Woman in Jamestown

An Angolan woman called Angela was among the first Africans to arrive in the North American territory that would become the United States. Learn more about Angela, the Central African kingdom of Ndongo where she was born, and how she and other captives lived in Jamestown.