Shaved Heads and Syphilis: A Brief History of Wigs
As Coronavirus-induced shutdowns swept the nation and exposed cracks in many parts of our society, they also exposed another pressing desire—haircuts.
The Conventional, and Unconventional, U.S. Constitution
Oddities from the 1787 conclave that created the United States of America we know
Online Exclusive: How Collectivism Nearly Sunk Early Colonies
Only when settlers instituted private property rights did the New World thrive
A Virginia Slave Schooled in Scotland Made a Bravehearted Bid for His Freedom
Jamie Montgomery failed, but his case set a precedent that ended chattel bondage in Scotland 12 years later
Looking for Pandemic Leadership? George Washington Is the Best Example
The first president's cool head and respect for science helped a young America survive smallpox and yellow fever
Death Stalks the Capital
A deadly epidemic in Philadelphia shut down the nation’s business and taught Americans an important lesson: Good health is good policy
Online Exclusive: Scruffy Florida Seafarers Made Their Fortunes Salvaging Shipwrecks
Long before it became Margaritaville, Key West was a boom town built on bad news
American History Reviews: The King of Tin Pan Alley
Composer's greatest gift was an ear for the simple and the sweet
May 2020 Readers’ Letters
Readers sound off about World War II Japanese kamikazes and the (nearly) 14th colony of Nova Scotia
Jefferson’s Land Dispute with a Neighbor Got Personal
A civil case involving property lines finds a Founding Father battling a neighbor
Fort William Henry, 1757: A Fate Worse Than Surrender
On capturing Fort William Henry in 1757, the French commander offered his British prisoners safe passage—but his Indian allies weren’t feeling as magnanimous
American History Reviews: The Eyes of Texas Are Upon This Book
History of the Lone Star State connects the prominent dots and tells stories of the lesser known
British Ambush Washington’s Men in ‘Paoli Massacre’
The British bayoneted the Americans by the dozens and drove survivors from the field
Watching George Washington Become a Great Leader
History Channel miniseries follows the Virginian's path from British officer to Continental Army commander to revered first president
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Russia Got Into Its Own “Folly” in Alaska
A battle at Sitka in 1804 began the vast northwest territory's tilt into American hands
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Colonial New England Got Filthy Rich Off the Slave Trade
For a century and a half, wealthy northerners built their fortunes off sugar, rum, and human misery
