American History
How George Washington Wrote His Farewell Address
A candle stand used by the first president illuminates his extraordinary last days in office
Was This Civil War Hero the First Medal of Honor Recipient Born in Africa?
Recent research suggests Joachim Pease, a sailor recognized for his role in sinking a Confederate raider, was from Cape Verde
Louisiana Army Base Formerly Named for Confederate General Now Honors Black WWI Hero
Sergeant Henry Johnson received a posthumous Medal of Honor recognizing his bravery in battle in France
The 150-Year-Old Comstock Act Could Transform the Abortion Debate
Once considered a relic of moral panics past, the 1873 law criminalized sending "obscene, lewd or lascivious" materials through the mail
Enslaved by George Washington, This Man Escaped to Freedom—and Joined the British Army
Harry Washington fought for his enslaver's enemy during the American Revolution. Later, he migrated to Nova Scotia and Sierra Leone
The Photographer Who Forced the U.S. to Confront Its Child Labor Problem
Lewis Hine's early 20th-century "photo stories" sparked meaningful legislative reform
The First Self-Proclaimed Drag Queen Was a Formerly Enslaved Man
In the late 19th century, William Dorsey Swann's private parties attracted unwelcome attention from authorities and the press
This Fourth Grader Created Alabama's New Official State Cookie
Called the Yellowhammer, the dessert is made with ingredients that are important to the state
When Private Beaches Served as a Refuge for the Chesapeake Bay's Black Elite
During the Jim Crow era, working-class Washingtonians' recreation options were far more limited—and dangerous
The 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2023
From an ultramarathon capital in the Rockies to a laid-back village in the Florida Keys, these vibrant towns are calling your name
Did Martha Washington Have a Black Grandson?
Likely the child of Martha's son from her first marriage, William Costin used his position to advocate for D.C.'s free Black community
National Genealogical Society Apologizes for 'Racist and Discriminatory' Past Actions
In a new report, the group reckons with its long history of racism and eugenicist beliefs
The 72-Year-Old Who Lied About His Age to Fight in World War I
A Civil War veteran, John William Boucher was one of the oldest men on the ground during the Great War
Henry Ossawa Tanner Was One of the First World-Famous Black Artists. Now, His Home Is in Danger
The Philadelphia row house hosted generations of Black scholars and leaders
How the U.S. Almost Became a Nation of Hippo Ranchers
In 1910, a failed House bill sought to increase the availability of low-cost meat by importing hippopotamuses that would be killed to make "lake cow bacon"
After 150 Years, Levi's 501 Blue Jeans Are Still Kicking
The iconic garment began as a practical piece of clothing for miners to wear during long, difficult shifts
On This Disputed River, Progress May Mean a Return to the Past
Winding through British Columbia and Washington, the Skagit has a history that reflects competing conceptions of advancement
Martin Luther King Jr. Never Said Famous Quote Criticizing Malcolm X
One journalist's archival discovery is changing historians' understanding of the two civil rights leaders
Was the 1623 Poisoning of 200 Native Americans One of the Continent's First War Crimes?
English colonists claimed they wanted to make peace with the Powhatans, then offered them tainted wine
Someone Stole Dorothy's Ruby Slippers in 2005. Now, a Minnesota Man Has Been Charged
While the "Wizard of Oz" shoes were recovered several years ago, authorities hadn't previously named any suspects
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