The global impact of the coronavirus is striking. According to the World Health Organization, from December 30, 2019, to the end of July 2021, there have been around 200 million cases and more than 4 million deaths from COVID-19. In the U.S. alone, there have been over 34 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths during the same period. The statistics are sobering but also enlightening. Governments, scientists, and public health officials have learned a lot from pandemics going back to the 1918 influenza and even the Black Death of the 14th century. And one thing is certain — when […]

Tables of Contents A history of women in American politicsAfrican American women in politicsOther women of color in politicsHow women politicians continue to shape American politicsResources for women in American politicsThe future of women in American politics A record number of 142 women are serving in Congress in 2021 following a landmark election that saw more women, including women of color, running for office than ever before. Still, women make up just a quarter of Congress, while comprising more than half the U.S. population. Throughout U.S. history, women have played an important and evolving role in the political landscape — […]

Insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College votes. As Congress fled for safety, the mob broke windows, vandalized offices, and roamed the Senate halls. More than 140 people suffered injuries and five people died, including a U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officer. The Capitol riot is the deadliest attack on the Capitol in U.S. history. However, the Capitol has withstood civil unrest multiple times since construction began on it in 1793. The last time it was actually breached was in 1814, during the War of 1812. When trained […]

Women have been leading visionary struggles in American history since the nation’s founding. In 1780, a formerly enslaved African woman named Mum Bett brought a case against the commonwealth of Massachusetts arguing for her right to freedom under a constitution that guaranteed all men to be free and equal. She won, and changed her name to Elizabeth Freeman. Her case was the death knell for slavery in Massachusetts. From Abigail Adams to Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott to Angela Davis, women continue to drive history forward, refusing to allow the United States to deviate from a vision of equality. Today, women […]

Table of Contents Difference Between House and SenateHouse: Roles and ResponsibilitiesSenate: Roles and ResponsibilitiesHow a Bill Becomes LawHow Their Differences Make the House and Senate Stronger The U.S. Congress is often referred to as a single entity, but it’s actually a combination of two distinct groups: the House of Representatives and the Senate. While both houses of Congress work together to propose and enact the laws that govern our country, the differences between the House and Senate ensure that each chamber in this bicameral (“two room”) system has distinct roles and responsibilities. Together, the House and Senate form the legislative […]

You’re finishing up your history degree and wondering what comes next. You enjoy reading about history, exploring vintage documents and photographs, organizing information, and facilitating others’ learning. You’re familiar with the roles of both archivists and librarians, but which one is the best fit for you? Before you set out to pursue your dream career, it’s important to explore the similarities and differences between archivists and librarians, including the educational requirements, day-to-day job description, and salary range. In broad terms, a librarian tends to help patrons find information and conduct research, while an archivist is in charge of processing, appraising, […]

An internationally recognized art museum in a major American city holds an exhibition of art, artifacts, and replicas of everyday items from ancient Rome. Each day, tens of thousands of visitors stream up the museum’s grand staircase, filing into a hall that holds hundreds of items from 600 BC — from pottery to tools to remnants of stone buildings. Museum guests marvel at the collection and its arrangement, slowly moving from piece to piece, pausing to read informational text on the wall. A group gathers around a tour guide who explains the history and story behind several standout items. Without […]

Museums procure, study, and display art and other objects of lasting interest. For instance, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., showcases paintings of former American presidents, while the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History delves into Earth’s history, exhibiting ancient fossils and life-sized animal replicas. Museums offer engaging ways to learn about history, science, art, and more. An estimated 14 million Americans visit museums every year, many of them children. Children in particular can benefit from museum visits, which give them a chance to explore and connect with new subjects in person rather than through a screen. It’s clear […]