In 1865, thousands of Black South Carolinians signed a 54-foot-long freedom petition
Source: Washington Post
Read about some of the objects on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
History
America’s First Immigration Center Was Also an Amusement Park
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
| Castle Garden, originally a Revolutionary Era fort, was repurposed into an amusement park for fashionable New Yorkers in the late 1800s. Then it became the nation’s first immigrant welcome center. Read this short feature to discover how. |
Extreme Dining in the Gilded Age
Source: National Women's History Museum
| Wealthy Americans of the Gilded Age often indulged in extravagance—even when hosting dinner parties. This short article features important dinner etiquette for hosts and guests, and even includes a menu. |
Women in the American Revolution
Source: American Battlefield Trust
| Molly Pitcher and Betsy Ross are familiar names in the history of women in America’s Revolutionary Era. Read this detailed article to learn the stories of other women who supported the war effort. |
The past is the past? How slavery still benefits white Americans
Source: Work in Progress
A sociologist shares the results and repercussions of an in-depth data analysis.
The ancient origins of the Olympics
Source: TED
Curious about how the games first came to be? Watch the video to learn more.
How the Santa Fe Railroad Changed America Forever
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
Often historically overshadowed by the first transcontinental railroad, America’s second transcontinental line had a lasting impact on the country’s landscape and economy, giving rise to major cities and introducing new industries. Explore this article to learn more.
The Real Story of Revere’s Ride
Source: The Paul Revere House Museum
Learn the real story behind the famous midnight ride of one of America’s most storied Sons of Liberty. Click on the interactive map to learn more about Revere’s route.
Born in the USA: The Chinese Immigrant Son Who Fought for Birthright Citizenship
Source: History
In an important U.S. immigration law milestone, Wong Kim Ark sued the U.S. government to recognize birthright citizenship for children of immigrants. Read the remarkable story here.
Stories Survive: Paula Weissman
Source: Museum of Jewish Heritage
Like Anne Frank, Paula Weissman was sent to a Nazi concentration camp as a teenager. Learn about how she made a life for herself after liberation, and explore the site for more powerful stories.