America’s history is as diverse as its people, yet the schools only seem to hit the same beats over and over and over and over again. No doubt, the major events and players do need to be known, explored, and understood, but there’s so much more to the nation’s overarching narrative than the usual tales of bashing the British, crushing the Confederates, and neutralizing the Nazis. Thankfully, many organizations, historians, and students have taken to the Internet to share their findings and interpretations about almost every corner of the United States’ political and cultural heritage imaginable. Before lighting up the barbecue this Independence Day, read up on what makes this country both great and not-so-great to spark discussions while waiting on the fireworks.
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About.com: African-American History:
About.com’s African-American history blog and website, hosted by Femi Lewis, exposes readers to highly influential names, philosophies, and events so often jettisoned from textbooks, though she doesn’t ignore the most popular figures, either.
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About.com: American History:
Martin Kelly makes American history accessible to general audiences while still ensuring they learn a few things along the way.
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The Abraham Lincoln Blog:
Read up on the myths and realities of one of the United States’ most beloved, iconic figures here. (PROTIP: He didn’t actually hunt vampires.)
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AHA Today:
Not every member of the American Historical Association necessarily focuses on American history, but the blog definitely covers the subject enough to warrant inclusion.
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Michael J. Altman:
An Emory University Ph.D. candidate specializing in American perceptions of Hinduism in the 19th century writes all about American perceptions of Hinduism in the nineteenth century – and maybe a few other historical and religious topics, too.
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American Presidents Blog:
Like the title states, the American Presidents Blog presents a plethora of research regarding the men elected to serve in the eponymous and not-so-enviable position, some of it light and fluffy, some of it very thought-provoking.
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Appalachian History:
Through both the blog and the accompanying podcast, both professional and amateur historians pick up some absolutely fascinating stories about the eponymous region. Appalachian History primarily focuses on the political, social, and economic toll the Great Depression took on the area, though it does cover other periods sometimes.
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Archives of American Art – Blog:
Understand the United States through the eyes (not to mention chosen mediums) of its eclectic creatives courtesy of the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art.
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Asian Nation:
While not exclusively about Asian-American history, the subject certainly permeates nearly every post on this blog and merits extensive reading.
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Boston 1775:
Boston 1775 stands as an especially relevant read come Independence Day because it painstakingly dissects the mounting tensions between England and its colonies before the American Revolution.
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British Soldiers, American Revolution:
Historian Don N. Hagist posts primary documents — mainly letters and journal entries — that give a very human, often very sympathetic, look at the often faceless British soldiers tasked with combating American insurgents as they fought for their independence from imperial rule.
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Canton Asylum:
Carla Joinson originally launched her blog to promote her studies into the Canton Asylum for Insane Indians, but content stretches to include general inquiries regarding American perceptions toward indigenous peoples and mental health at the time of the organization’s reign.
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Civil War History:
Civil War History brings together fans of the era for in-depth analysis and thought-provoking debate.
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CLA: Department of American Studies:
University of Minnesota boasts one of the best American studies departments in the world, and its official blog talks not only about its current events and honors, but relevant research and stories to explore as well.
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Containing Multitudes:
Get a British perspective on the history and culture of the United States from this group blog by American studies majors and professors at the University of East Anglia.
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Dan’s blog:
Dan Allosso’s focus revolves around Latin American history, environmental history, and all points in 19th century America, making his personal and professional blog an incredibly riveting read.
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Disunion:
Learn all the teeny-tiny details of the American Civil War from the New York Times Opinionator blog and, of course, first-person resources.
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Early American Crime:
If law and criminal justice pique interest, check out Anthony Vaver’s excitedly engaging resource about true crime stories from America’s distant and not-so-distant past.
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Encyclopedia Virginia:
Academics worldwide contribute to one of the most comprehensive projects on a single state’s history, and as a result they cover both mainstream and traditionally marginalized perspectives.
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Explore Southern History:
Travel buffs will love living vicariously through this blog, which sees historian and author Dale Cox delving into the most fascinating natural and man-made wonders of the American South. And, of course, sites relevant to numerous major (and minor!) events.
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First Peoples: New Directions in Indigenous Studies:
Four different university presses converge to present some of the most groundbreaking, provocative, and essential studies regarding the Native American peoples past and present.
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Freedom Blog:
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati maintains a blog about black history, race relations, and America’s past (and present) with slavery.
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Fold3:
No matter your opinion on war, it’s impossible to escape its impact on nations and individuals alike. Fold3 makes primary documents regarding America’s military history available online, and its blog explores the implications of its myriad holdings.
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Guided by History:
History never occurs in a vacuum; it requires communities of folks to build or break down barriers. Wells Fargo hosts a fascinating read about how neighborhoods and groups instigated both slow and rapid change in America.
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Historiann:
Feminist theory and American history collide in this in-depth resource by Colorado State University professor Ann M. Little, which explores intersections between women and the region’s major changes since the 1492 landing of Christoforo Colombo.
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History of American Women:
It may not be much to look at, but History of American Women no doubt offers essential reading. Women of all backgrounds and disciplines come to life via vivid stories and photographs, with proper citations, of course.
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History Unfolding:
Criminal and political historian David Kaiser analyzes current events in America (and beyond!) in a manner that pulls from the nation’s past experiences, trends, and observations.
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In America:
CNN’s multimedia and documentary project explores the ever-changing identity of Americans from different backgrounds, though it focuses largely on the black experience throughout history and on into today.
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Legal History Blog:
Perfect for the history buff who loves understanding how laws (and their subsequent interpretations) shift over time.
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Library of Congress:
Seeing as how it’s the nation’s largest repository for documents and ephemera relevant to preserving American history, the Library of Congress’ official blog definitely makes for required reading.
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Murder by Gaslight:
Perhaps a little gruesome, but likely quite riveting for the true crime, criminal justice, and psychology aficionados out there. Murder by Gaslight relates the tales of early nineteenth century murders in America, with plenty of very real soap opera elements.
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The National Museum of the American Indian:
This Smithsonian institution delves into the history of North America’s native peoples, pulling from its extensive holdings to educate the populace about the cultures and the horrific consequences colonialism took on them.
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Native America, Discovered and Conquered:
Manifest Destiny, Thomas Jefferson, and the Lewis and Clark expedition all contributed to the further marginalization of the United States’ indigenous cultures, and Robert J. Miller explains how.
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Native Appropriations:
Part sociological inquiry, part history, Native Appropriations offers up a completely compelling look at contemporary and historical portrayals of Native Americans in a wide variety of media.
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Naval History Blog:
The U.S. Naval Institute maintains an incredibly informative blog about the organization’s involvement in international wars and skirmishes.
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Now & Then: An American Social History Project Blog:
It may not update as often as some of its listmates, but this blog still contributes to a greater understanding of what sorts of people have lived in and influenced America, with particular attention paid toward some more overlooked contributors.
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O Say Can You See?:
Another Smithsonian blog, this time backing the National Museum of American History. It focuses on the entire spectrum of the nation’s past, dissecting the cultural, political, and economic phenomena that shaped it both for good and for ill.
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OutHistory.org:
Sort of a blog, sort of a wiki, the OutHistory.org stands as a long-time-coming look at LGBTQIA names, faces, events, and issues in American history.
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Past in the Present:
Michael Lynch largely studies the colonial and Civil War periods in American history, but he does branch out from time to time.
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Publishing the Long Civil Rights Movement:
Most Americans tend to think of the Civil Rights Movement as exclusive to African-Americans in the 1960s. The academics behind Publishing the Long Civil Rights Movement mean to expand the historical definitions, perceptions, and timelines to also include the equality struggles of women and the LGBT community.
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Religion in American History:
With divisive faith issues playing such a major role in America’s culture and politics these days, it behooves the savvy citizen to understand the knotty roots.
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Religion in the American West:
Every Monday and Friday (with others scattered in between), one or more of this blog’s contributors posts about the relationship between religious belief and the cultural mores of the not-always-wild West.
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See & Hear:
Based out of New Orleans, the National WWII Museum uses its resources to look at the ins and outs of the second “Great War” from an American perspective.
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Shorpy:
See the United States as it was in the 1940s and 1950s through the stunning Shorpy blog and community, where users share their favorite vintage photos and the stories that go along with them; be sure to browse their vast collections of city-specific shots, too!
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Stranger Things Have Happened:
Dave Nichols mostly studies and posts about Native American history as well as the Colonial and Revolutionary War eras.
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Time Will Tell:
Check Time Will Tell on a regular basis and pick up recommendations for recommended books and articles to check out when learning more about American history. But do stay for the commentary as well!
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TUSH.0: Teaching United States History:
Look at American history through the eyes of those tasked with passing it on to the next generation — maybe even pick up a few things about the education industry along the way!
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U.S. Intellectual History:
Presented by the Society for U.S. Intellectual History, this blog focuses on the thinkers and doers whose ideas came to mold America; or, at least, challenged more mainstream perceptions and eventually fizzed away.
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What’s New:
Colonial Williamsburg’s blogs look at one pocket of American history through an accessible multimedia extravaganza, which also happens to include a section exclusively about Thomas Jefferson.
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White House:
Plugged-in President Barack Obama himself doesn’t blog at the White House’s official digital home, but it still makes for a great way to stay on top of American history’s daily changes in (comparative) real time.
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