100th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution
Source: Bio
Russia’s 1917 Revolution strove to free the people from the imperial rule of the Czars. As with the Arab Spring, though, a successful revolution was no guarantee of freedom from oppression.
History
American Indian Boarding Schools Haunt Many
Source: National Public Radio
As the United States government took over the West, a concerted effort to “kill the Indian” through education developed. Hear the stories of Native Americans forcibly separated from their culture.
Refugee shacks – survivors of 1906 quake and fire
Source: SFGATE
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. Click through the photos at the top of the article to see some of them.
George Washington’s letter to Jewish community becomes musical call to action
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
An historic letter written by George Washington is the inspiration for a cantata recently performed at a Jewish congregation in Philadelphia. Read why the creators of the musical piece found the document to still be relevant and important.
Prelude to War: Manifest Destiny
Source: PBS
Read this introduction of the standings of the United States and Mexico before the Mexican-American War. Click the different sections in the drop-down menu for more in-depth explanations and insights.
Why Reconstruction Matters
Source: The New York Times
Columbia University history professor Eric Foner argues that Reconstruction ended before it could become truly successful, and he draws parallels to current affairs.
Alabama Senate Passes Confederate Monuments Bill
Source: U.S. News & World Report
Should Confederate monuments be preserved? Some people believe they are important memorials to American history, while others find them offensive or see them as symbols of slavery. Read to learn how the governments of Alabama and other southern states have handled this issue.
7-Year-Old Aleppo Girl Who Tweeted City’s Ravages Is Safely Evacuated
Source: People
Using Twitter, Bana al-Abed has chronicled her experience of the war in Syria. For this reason, she has been called a modern-day Anne Frank. Read to learn more about this remarkable young girl and her evacuation from Aleppo.
Social Media Sparked, Accelerated Egypt’s Revolutionary Fire
Source: Wired
Twenty-first century revolutionaries have a powerful tool not available to previous generations. Read about how technology aided the Arab Spring.
Historic Brandeis Opinion in ‘Whitney v. California’
Source: Today in Civil Liberties History
Learn about how a Supreme Court case nearly a century ago has influenced our approach to the freedom of speech.