History

What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic?

What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic? What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic?

A recent history of the pandemic illuminates not just parallels with our moment but how a public health crisis can become a political one as well. 

Dec 29, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Richard J. Evans

military leaders in the Spanish Civil War

How the Fight Over Spain’s Anti-Fascist Legacy Involves a Former ‘Nation’ Editor How the Fight Over Spain’s Anti-Fascist Legacy Involves a Former ‘Nation’ Editor

Spain’s progressive government is protecting the tomb of Julio Álvarez del Vayo, foreign minister for the Republic during the Civil War and later a Nation editor. Spain’s right win...

Dec 28, 2020 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

Good Riddance to Robert E. Lee

Good Riddance to Robert E. Lee Good Riddance to Robert E. Lee

…and to “very fine people on both sides” apologias for Confederate infamy.

Dec 22, 2020 / John Nichols

How Should We Remember Ellis Island?

How Should We Remember Ellis Island? How Should We Remember Ellis Island?

Ellis Island: A People’s History looks at the everyday injustices that have haunted the country’s stance on immigration for centuries.

Dec 22, 2020 / Books & the Arts / J. Howard Rosier

Shakespeare’s Contentious Conversation With America

Shakespeare’s Contentious Conversation With America Shakespeare’s Contentious Conversation With America

James Shapiro’s recent book looks at why Shakespeare has been a mainstay of the cultural and political conflicts of the country since its founding.

Dec 17, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Alisa Solomon

Voters fill out vote-by-mail ballots at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office in October of 2020 in Orlando, Florida.

The Votes of Black Americans Should Count Twice The Votes of Black Americans Should Count Twice

Vote reparations would empower us to replace oppressive institutions with life-affirming structures of equality.

Dec 17, 2020 / Brandon Hasbrouck

Mutual Aid Can’t Do It Alone

Mutual Aid Can’t Do It Alone Mutual Aid Can’t Do It Alone

As the pandemic plunged millions into economic insecurity, the burgeoning practice of mutual aid has been vital. But we must demand much more.

Dec 16, 2020 / Feature / Joanna Wuest

Theodor Adorno and the Crises of Liberalism

Theodor Adorno and the Crises of Liberalism Theodor Adorno and the Crises of Liberalism

At the center of Adorno’s work was a reminder that fascist movements are not exceptional to liberal democracy but signs of its failure.

Dec 15, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Peter E. Gordon

How Did We End Up With Our Current Public Defender System?

How Did We End Up With Our Current Public Defender System? How Did We End Up With Our Current Public Defender System?

Sara Mayeux’s new history highlights how without a more fundamental transformation of criminal law, public defenders often provide only a limited form of equality and fairness befo...

Dec 14, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Matthew Clair

The Past and Future of the Left in the Democratic Party

The Past and Future of the Left in the Democratic Party The Past and Future of the Left in the Democratic Party

Centrist Democrats who blamed the left for election losses would do well to remember the people who have fought for and shaped the party’s history.

Dec 9, 2020 / Michael Brenes and Michael Koncewicz

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