History

Cam Newton Celebrating

Cam Newton and the Burden of History Cam Newton and the Burden of History

The backlash against the quarterback’s confident politics has deep roots.

Feb 11, 2016 / Donna Murch

Worn portraits of Mao Zedong in Shanghai, China, 2006.

Memories of the Mao Era Memories of the Mao Era

Ji Xianlin’s memoir is the most widely read account of the Cultural Revolution in China. Has it changed the country’s amnesia about its bloody past?

Feb 10, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Chenxin Jiang

What Do Cubans Think of Normalization With the United States?

What Do Cubans Think of Normalization With the United States? What Do Cubans Think of Normalization With the United States?

They’re divided, by generation and class, over whether it will be a good thing.

Feb 9, 2016 / Feature / Sujatha Fernandes

Hillary Clinton and the Anti-Democratic Origins of American Politics

Hillary Clinton and the Anti-Democratic Origins of American Politics Hillary Clinton and the Anti-Democratic Origins of American Politics

The former secretary of state’s worship of the founders underscores the difference between her and Bernie Sanders.

Feb 8, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

Does New Hampshire Always Back Its Neighbors? Remember President Ted Kennedy?

Does New Hampshire Always Back Its Neighbors? Remember President Ted Kennedy? Does New Hampshire Always Back Its Neighbors? Remember President Ted Kennedy?

The argument that Sanders is leading primarily because he’s a neighbor disregards New Hampshire voters, and New Hampshire history.

Feb 5, 2016 / John Nichols

Eleanor Roosevelt Gila River

What We Can Learn From Eleanor Roosevelt in a Time of Xenophobia What We Can Learn From Eleanor Roosevelt in a Time of Xenophobia

Less than ten days after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Eleanor Roosevelt challenged the American people not to give in to their fear.

Feb 5, 2016 / David B. Woolner

Anti-War Protesters in Congress

What Can Today’s Peace Movement Learn From Vietnam? What Can Today’s Peace Movement Learn From Vietnam?

The best way to protect American lives is to refuse to take sides in someone else’s civil war.

Feb 2, 2016 / Ira Chernus

Why I’m Ready for More Slavery Films

Why I’m Ready for More Slavery Films Why I’m Ready for More Slavery Films

As politicians and pundits dismiss slavery as ancient history, we need more movies forcing us to confront its reality.

Jan 29, 2016 / Mychal Denzel Smith

An anonymous painting from the 15th century of St. William of Norwich (detail).

The Origins of Blood Libel The Origins of Blood Libel

E.M. Rose reconsiders where the anti-Semitic slur came from, and how it stuck around.

Jan 28, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Madeleine Schwartz

The Selden map.

Before Europe’s Intrusion Before Europe’s Intrusion

A 17th-century map reinforces what few other than historians of China have known: It was an open and diverse world with a long tradition of maritime commerce.

Jan 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

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