Current Events that Relate to History
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Book ReviewMark Twain and the Limits of Biography
The great American writer witnessed the forging of his nation – but Ron Chernow’s portrait cannot see beyond its subject.New Statesman -
DrawingWhen the Red Scare Came for Jessica Mitford
A graphic episode from "Do Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me."The Nation -
ObituaryJustice David Souter Was the Antithesis of the Present
His jurisprudence has been overshadowed by that of his showier colleagues but was a model of principled restraint.The New Yorker -
NarrativeHow the Thirteen Colonies Tried—and Failed—to Convince Canada to Side With Them In the Revolution
After peaceful attempts at alliance-building stalled, the Continental Army launched an ill-fated invasion of Quebec in June 1775.Smithsonian -
Book ReviewSurviving Bad Presidents
What the Constitution asks of us.The Bulwark -
ComparisonWhat If It Is Happening Here?
Lessons from the anti-fascist novel in Trump’s second term.Literary Hub -
exhibitAmerican Corruption
The constant tug of war between those who try to bend government for their own gain and those who try to root out corruption and reform the system.
From the HNN Archive
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What Is the Role of the Historian?
Rethinking the job of history — and the American Historical Association — after the veto of the Gaza “scholasticide” resolution. -
“A Party for the White Man”
The scene at the 1964 Republican National Convention, when Barry Goldwater was nominated and black Republicans’ worst fears about their party were confirmed. -
Indifferent to the Fate of Freedom Elsewhere
Jimmy Carter is known for his defense of human rights worldwide. But in 1979, he threatened to deport thousands of Iranian student protesters. -
Ohio’s Little-Known Fascist Member of Congress
How a local prosecutor protected white supremacists and went on to a career in Washington, DC. -
Whose Side Are College Administrators On?
There’s a long history of politicians targeting student protesters — and of campus leaders abetting those efforts. -
The Constitution Does Not Speak for Itself
In 1841, John Tyler said he was the president. The Constitution said he wasn’t. What happened next? -
“At Any Future Time”
In 1880, the daughter of a Welsh politician turned to fiction to expose perspectives missing from the official record, upending histories for generations to come. -
Letting the World Scream
In 1984, the U.S. rejected the International Court of Justice’s jurisdiction, revealing its tendency to ignore international rules it sees as unfavorable — even when it helped write them.