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American Revolution

Our Unethical Republic

William E. White | Posted 05.17.2013 | Politics
William E. White

Obedience to the law is not enough. Americans demand legal and ethical behavior from themselves and their fellow citizens.

Morocco and US Must Not Let Recent Spat Harm Their Historic Friendship

Craig Considine | Posted 05.10.2013 | Politics
Craig Considine

Both countries should remain in harmony and continue to be worthy companions as they embark on stabilizing a region in which they both have security interests.

Boston Strong: The Athens of America

Alex Pattakos | Posted 05.07.2013 | Politics
Alex Pattakos

Once again, the people of Boston demonstrated, individually and collectively, that they are a true beacon of hope and inspiration for the nation and the world.

Archaeologists Uncover Location Of Historic Revolutionary War Fort

AP | RUSS BYNUM | Posted 05.05.2013 | Politics

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Less than two months after British forces captured Savannah in December 1778, patriot militiamen scored a rare Revolutionary War vict...

Where The Tea Party Gets Schooled

Salon | Posted 04.07.2013 | Politics

So I just got back from a family vacation at Colonial Williamsburg, the Virginia granddaddy of all American "living history" museums. (They hate the t...

Washington's 'Oval Office' To Be Remade

AP | JOANN LOVIGLIO | Posted 03.31.2013 | Politics

PHILADELPHIA — A large canvas tent that served as George Washington's home and command center during the Revolutionary War is being duplicated d...

Trash-Talking America

William E. White | Posted 03.26.2013 | Politics
William E. White

If we ever hope to sponsor a productive debate in this country, we will have to spend as much time listening as we do talking. Grandstanding, posturing, and trash-talking the country is not helping.

Necessary Roughness: Why Obama's Use of Executive Power Is Justified

Sanjay Sanghoee | Posted 04.27.2013 | Politics
Sanjay Sanghoee

We are a nation at risk of flying apart and falling apart, just as we were in 1787, and the prevention of that requires a firm leader who is willing to call the shots no matter how unpopular those decisions might be and no matter who disagrees with him.

Revolutionary Days

William E. White | Posted 04.23.2013 | Impact
William E. White

"We the People" create the institutions that serve us. It's easy to forget that we -- individual citizens -- are the ones responsible for our children's education.

Inauguration Shouldn't Be a Coronation

Joe Lauria | Posted 03.23.2013 | Politics
Joe Lauria

A speech on the steps of the Capitol should be enough -- especially for a second term. Tell us what you are going to do and then drive -- or walk -- down Pennsylvania Avenue and start doing it.

For Sale: Very Large, Slightly Damaged Country

Tom Gerdy | Posted 03.08.2013 | Politics
Tom Gerdy

At this point in our history, I am certain the country would be listed in realtor's terms as a "fixer-upper" or a "handyman special." This country might not have a long history compared with others around the world, but it has a strong one.

Thanksgiving and the National Bird

Nancy Rubin Stuart | Posted 01.20.2013 | Politics
Nancy Rubin Stuart

Contrary to the popular myths, the wild turkey can fly. As the recent election has proven, so can we, if, like that original American bird, we keep close to the ground.

Orwell's Advice on How to Write in Revolutionary Times

Andrea Chalupa | Posted 01.08.2013 | New York
Andrea Chalupa

America is at a crossroads. We are experiencing tensions, familiar to historians, between the haves and have-nots, and their respective allies. In his essay, Orwell described the age in which he lived as "tumultuous, revolutionary" -- just like ours.

Literary Treasures: The American Antiquarian Society at 200

Nancy Rubin Stuart | Posted 12.19.2012 | Books
Nancy Rubin Stuart

At a moment when cultural trend-watchers are predicting the imminent demise of the traditional book in lieu of digitization, the American Antiquarian Society is honoring the strength of print as it celebrates its 200th anniversary.

Dining In 1799 At Mount Vernon

Jean Newman Glock | Posted 12.18.2012 | Travel
Jean Newman Glock

The house is a microcosm of early American history. The portrait of Louis the XVI in the dining room reminds you of the pivotal role he played in financing the American revolution.

PHOTOS: Fort Ticonderoga Presides Over New York's Lakes

Posted 11.05.2012 | Travel

Fort Ticonderoga's panoramic view of Lake Champlain and Lake George is the happy byproduct of a century of murderous scheming. The fort was first c...

National Ignorance

William E. White | Posted 12.09.2012 | Home
William E. White

American ideas are important, an essential element for charting our future. Unfortunately, we may be losing our ability to discern quality debate.

What We Build Together

William E. White | Posted 10.31.2012 | Home
William E. White

There is a lot of talk today implying that the purpose of education is job training. Our nation will not survive if our education system merely produces economic units. We must safeguard the future of the republic by educating to increase the most essential national resource: informed, engaged citizens.

Breaking Bloody News of the American Revolution, 1775

Todd Andrlik | Posted 10.23.2012 | Media
Todd Andrlik

We live in a time of constant debate and discussion about political and military media coverage. So, now is perhaps the best time to study media coverage of the American Revolution and the birth of the United States.

Restoring Jefferson's University

J. Michael Welton | Posted 10.16.2012 | Arts
J. Michael Welton

Now that the political struggles have settled somewhat at The University of Virginia, it's time to get down to what's really important at Mr. Jefferson's academical village.

How Plagiarism Made America

Todd Andrlik | Posted 10.14.2012 | Media
Todd Andrlik

It seems every year a new plagiarism scandal strikes the media. Today, the stigma of lifting passages can haunt media professionals forever, but 250 years ago stealing another reporter's work without credit was an acceptable form of journalism.

The Idea of America in the Age of Empire

Michael Hughes | Posted 10.01.2012 | Books
Michael Hughes

At the outset of The Idea of America is an intellectually-stimulating comparison of two schools of thought on the causes of the Revolution.

It's Our Responsibility

William E. White | Posted 09.30.2012 | Home
William E. White

Who's responsible for instilling in our young people an appreciation for history and citizenship? Many of us -- teachers, educators, and members of the public alike -- are very concerned about the demise of social studies.

Talking 'Bout a Revolution

Ali MacLean | Posted 09.17.2012 | Comedy
Ali MacLean

A guy sort of rolled his eyes and churlishly mumbled, "Why should we care in the U.S. about some dumb French holiday?" All rudeness aside, I decided to explain it to him. I love talking to churlish brick walls. I'm like a perky, blond Sisyphus.

Revolutionary Treasures Wait Patiently For A Place To Call Home

AP | JOANN LOVIGLIO | Posted 09.10.2012 | Home

PHILADELPHIA — A nondescript building on a quiet street somewhere outside Philadelphia holds a secret stash of treasures that have been waiting ...