Current Events that Relate to History

Gordon Wood chronicled America’s rambunctious democratic culture. It’s giving way to a new deference to authority.

America's 50th birthday was marked with toasts and parades. Over time, anniversary celebrations became more extravagant — and more controversial.

The overlooked role of Poland’s partition in the Declaration of Independence.

In the American Philippines, officials used vagrancy laws to police same-sex relations while avoiding explicit bans.

Their wealthy successors are still waging class war.

In 1976, Boston saw the bicentennial celebrations of the United States as an opportunity to revitalize the city.

Every 50 years, the nation comes together to wrestle with the principles of its founding and what they mean for us in the present.