American history
What is National Day of Mourning? Anti-Thanksgiving History
"This is a time of celebration for you - celebrating an anniversary of a beginning for the white man in America."
Historian Warns America Looks 'Eerily Similar' to Pre-Civil War Period
The Boston College professor, an expert in 19th century America, said President Donald Trump "was onto something" with his Civil War tweets.
Is the Betsy Ross Flag Racist? Meaning, History and Symbolism
Nike came under fire after agreeing to pull a special-edition Air Max sneaker that included the flag, which brand ambassador Colin Kaepernick and many others found offensive.
4th of July: What Is Independence Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?
It all started with the Boston Tea Party.
Journey Through American History in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery's culture, its very essence, tells the story of America—the good, the bad and the heartbreaking.
Treat Texas Black Prisoners Mass Grave With Respect
Officials found 95 graves beneath at the site of a new school in April.
U.S. Historians Fight to Stop ICE From Erasing Records
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency wants to destroy years' worth of data, including records on sexual abuse reports, solitary confinement and deaths in custody.
Seth Meyers Mocks Trump with Fake Book on July Fourth
"Benedict Arnold is one of my favorite breakfasts," Meyers reads from a book he jokes is written by Trump.
A High School Teacher Explains History to Kanye West
The rapper tweeted, "Republicans were the ones [who] helped black people." It's a little more complicated than that.
How The Finale of 'M*A*S*H' Impacted the 1980s
Lasting a full eight years longer than the war it was based on, M*A*S*H was one of the most beloved shows in American history.
Taxes Is An American Tradition
Not long after George Washington took office, one of the most serious threats to the authority of the federal government and stability of the new nation arose in the form of a tax resistance.
World's Biggest Family Tree Contains 13 Million People
The dataset has revealed insights into the past 500 years of marriage and migration across North America and Europe.
Women's History Month 2018: Inspiring Quotes
"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear." ―Rosa Parks
Remarkable Underwater Native American Burial Site Found
"Seeing a 7,000-year-old site that is so well preserved in the Gulf of Mexico is awe inspiring."
Women's History Month 2018: 7 Interesting Facts
Females are increasingly enrolling in law school.
Sunken Slave Ship Discovered Off Alabama Coast
An estimated 110 slaves were transported on the ship, called the Clotilda.
Kitchen of Thomas Jefferson's Slave Discovered
James Hemings was an immensely talented chef, and the reason Americans eat creme brulee, merengues, whipped cream and macaroni and cheese.
California Fires: The Five Worst Blazes Since 1933
How the current southern California fires will compare remains to be seen.
Hundreds of Slaves May Be Buried Under Baseball Stadium
The Union army forced African-American men and women, born into both freedom and slavery, to build a nearby stone fort.
Boneyard Tunnel Found in Mayan Temple Mystery Hunt
Archaeologists are hoping to find what lies beneath the large Mayan temple known as "The Castle."
Veterans Day Is Still Changing as It Turns 98
Here's a brief rundown of the history of Veterans Day.
Theory of America's Earliest Humans Overturned
In a new review of the evidence, half a dozen prominent anthropologists have thrown their weight behind "the kelp highway hypothesis."
Melania Trump's Inaugural Gown Accepted By Smithsonian
"It was important for us not to follow any recipe for a 'First Lady gown,'" the dress designer said
What Does It Mean to Topple a Statue?
Regime change, a reckoning with history, or a chance to learn? A look at history shows statues and their toppling holds power.
What Will College Be Like for Malia and Tiffany?
They have an overbearing dad, too. But theirs is the president.
White House Gets A Trump-Era Makeover
Workers are updating the décor, fixing the air-conditioning and repairing cracked steps, among other improvements.
Playing with Fireworks: A Very American Obsession
The sky has been lit up on Independence Day since the "illuminations" in 1777.
Abraham Lincoln's Legacy Humbles Even Donald Trump
According to Donald Trump, "I can be more presidential than any president…except for Abraham Lincoln."
How Do Presidents Celebrate the Fourth?
Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, had a habit of throwing big July Fourth concerts to honor military service members and give staffers a chance to celebrate.