Historians in the News

James Loewen Says Additional Baltimore Confederate Statues Should be Removed

"Most Confederate statues in Baltimore ... go up between 1890 and 1940.” There’s a reason for that.

German historian Heinz Richter cleared of charges

The author of “Operation Mercury: The Invasion of Crete,” had been charged by a Greek prosecutor with “denial of a defamatory nature of the Nazi crimes committed against the Cretan people.”

A historian’s advice to students thinking of getting a PhD in a tough economic climate

Don’t do it unless it’s your passion.

WSJ features an article by a conservative calling for the abolition of Black History Month

by Jason L. Riley

"Black History Month’s sunset might seem long overdue, but the celebration is too useful politically for that to happen anytime soon."

Princeton U. historian Imani Perry claims mistreatment in parking ticket arrest

Police say she was arrested for driving on a suspended license.

The Atlantic profiles exciting ways to teach history

The magazine focuses on a Harvard Business School professor who’s using the case studies method.

American Historical Association protests Turkey’s crackdown on historians and other academics who signed a a petition critical of the Turkish government

The AHA issued a letter urging Turkish President Erdogan to respect academic freedom and freedom of expression.

'Comfort women' and a lesson in how history is shaped in California textbooks

After nearly a decade of delays, California educators released a draft guideline that will shape how history is taught to students across the state.

English professor uses literature to help cure historical amnesia

by Shelley Fisher Fishkin

Her name is Shelley Fisher Fishkin and she teaches at Stanford.

Retired historian George Dennison remains on the payroll at the U. of Montana while faculty are cut

Denison, the former president, is receiving $59,000 a year to work one-third of full time, or roughly 13 hours a week.

LDS Church has gone from 0 to 4 historians specializing in women’s history

"We all know there is a lot of sensitivity related to questions about women in the church right now."

Israeli historian Yair Auron lays out details of a massacre in 1948

In October 1948, Israeli forces massacred scores of Palestinians in the village of al-Dawayima near Hebron. The case was covered up by the Israeli military, an investigation died out. 68 years later the story is finally emerging in a confessional statement suppressed at the time in which a soldier sought to relieve the weight on his soul.

Mary Beard, herself a bestselling author, wonders why more women historians aren't

by Mary Beard

Only four female writers appeared in the list of top 50 bestselling history titles in the UK last year.

Juan Cole says America’s inclination to turn to the military started with Manifest Destiny

The new frontier of today is no longer the American Southwest but the Middle East, Cole believes.

History Jobs Drop

Openings are down and the number of new Ph.D.s in the field far outpaces available positions, report finds.

Harvard President Drew Faust Condemns Free Tuition Proposal from Outsider Overseers Ticket

She said wealthy parents can afford their children’s tuition and should pay.

The College Board is changing the AP course to reverse the cultural and racial bias found in the art world

Now students are expected to know about the art produced by non-Western cultures.

Historians decide to break a contract with a Providence hotel accused of bad labor practices

The Organization of American Historians will boycott the Providence Hilton when it holds its annual meeting in Rhode Island in April.

Andrew Roberts says Trump is the Mussolini of America with double the vulgarity

by Andrew Roberts

He says Republicans are right to fear demagoguery of the one candidate who makes Hillary Clinton look electable.

Why we need Black History Month more than ever

by Denise Oliver Velez

Until we have significantly abolished systemic racism in education, we will continue to need Black History Month and other months which focus on our communities of color.