Book Review(s): George Washington’s Secret Six and Mount Vernon Love Story

What do the books George Washington’s Secret Six and Mount Vernon Love Story have in common? They show readers a unique angle of founding father, George Washington. Whether it’s the largely unknown story of espionage during the Revolutionary War or the love story behind the first president and his wife, both books capture the reader’s imagination when it comes to viewing George Washington outside of a strictly academic light. Although not the most scholarly of sources, both George Washington’s Secret Six and Mount Vernon Love Story are fun, casual reads for fans of American history who are looking to become enthralled by the life of the first president.

The Riot that Birthed a Movement

The 1908 Springfield Race Riot made Illinois the center of national attention and uproar as it was the final straw for many advocates for racial justice in the United States. Those acts of racial terror committed in August 1908 gave way for the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or NAACP — one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the U.S. In its over a hundred years of existence, the NAACP has tirelessly worked to make racial justice and equality a reality for all Americans.

The Tragic Reality and Beauty of ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman step into powerful, far-reaching roles in the film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. An astounding film that forces us to confront our racist past and present, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom shows us how Black Americans were celebrated for their talent while simultaneously being exploited for their art. Be advised that this review contains spoilers!

History America Behind the Scenes: Dead, White, and Blue

Join Historic America’s Aaron Killian and Christopher Surridge behind the scenes of the next installment of our “Dead, White, and Blue” series at Oak Hill Cemetery! While you wait however, make sure to catch up on the stories of famous Americans buried at Washington DC’s Congressional Cemetery.

Against a Capitol Fence

The recent push to erect a permanent fence around the United States Capitol building in response to the insurrection of January 6th is a bad idea. It is a manifestly bad, ill-considered, knee-jerk, destructive idea which would do real harm to the American republic.

Good TV and Herstory

A Tour of Her Own (TOHO) is a DC based tour company that focuses exclusively on women’s history. Their latest virtual offering is public history at its finest: they use the hit show Mrs America to spark a larger conversation and inspire deeper historic exploration and understanding.

A Decade of Disruption: An Interview with Garrett Peck

Join Historic America’s Alex Brandis on an interview with Garrett Peck on his latest book: A Decade of Disruption: American in the New Millennium.

Alex BrandisFebruary 1, 2021Comment

Welcome to the (re-vamped) Historic America Journal!

Welcome back. We’re excited to share the American story with you. History has a great deal to teach us if we are willing to learn. Plus it’s fascinating and fun! Especially American history.

The EditorsFebruary 1, 2021Historic America, Covid, covid 19, journal, Historic America journal, blog, Historic America ToursComment

Our Duty as Americans on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

A post on Holocaust remembrance day.

“You’re gonna make it after all...": The Education of Katharine Graham

Her husband made Presidents, and she brought them down. Katharine Graham ran The Washington Post from 1963 until 1991, surviving an abusive marriage and her husband’s suicide, and unexpectedly gaining control of the iconic paper all while raising four children. She used her position at The Post to defend the freedom of the press in the wake of the political turbulence caused by the Pentagon Papers and Watergate Scandal. This is her profile in courage.

John Adams’ Inauguration: A Reflection of Our Present

In March 1797, the United States of America witnessed its first transfer of power as George Washington retired from the presidency and his former vice president, the newly elected John Adams took over. This event established the tradition of a peaceful transition of power in the United States from one president to the next — a tradition which was tested following the 2020 Presidential Election.

"Artists have choices, I choose to stand with my people": Paul Robeson's Story

The murals in Washington D.C.’s U-Street Corridor, which has long been known as “The Black Broadway,” honor many important black American artists. Among them is Paul Robeson: singer, actor, athlete, and overall true Renaissance man.

Cecelia MichalowskiJanuary 22, 2021Cecelia Michalowski, Paul Robeson, Black History, U Street, Washington DC, black music, American musicComment

Tragedy and Triumph: How Three African-American D.C. Businesses Continue To Overcome Adversity

Following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968, Washington D.C. erupted in shock and outrage. The D.C. Riots of 1968 had a lasting physical and psychological impact, particularly around D.C.’s historically black U-Street Corridor. Following the violence and chaos only three businesses that witnessed that night remain standing today, over 50 years later.

President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address Aimed to Unite a Divided Nation

As we inaugurate a new president, let us look back at one of the most notable inaugural addresses delivered during the most divided time in our nation’s history.

Sonali PrillmanJanuary 20, 2021Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Inauguration, Inaugural Address, Sonali Prillman, Historic AmericaComment

Presidential Inaugurations: By the Numbers

As a result of the pandemic and unprecedented security circumstances in our nation’s capital, we will be experiencing the presidential inauguration much differently this year. Join Historic America’s Aaron Killian as he uses numbers to break down the history of presidential inaugurations in the United States.

Aaron KillianJanuary 19, 2021Comment

The Decades Long Battle for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Although Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a widely accepted and celebrated holiday throughout the United States today, the path towards its establishment and recognition was a long, fraught journey that took decades of advocacy.

Happy Birthday Dr King!

Today is a famous American’s birthday! On this day in 1929, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was born in Atlanta, GA.

Rachel TraceyJanuary 15, 2021Comment

Things I've Learned (Part II): Gettysburg

Gettysburg is where my nerd-odyssey began at the tender age of 7 … It will always be a special place to me.

Book Review - The Red Man's Bones

Using a string of far-flung military outposts as base camps for adventure, Catlin crisscrossed an untamed landscape, all-the-while painting a tremendous volume of Indian portraits and native scenes. The images were unlike anything the world had ever seen.

Things I've Learned (Part I): Baltimore

I’m now on a mission to convince one of my regular groups that they should schedule a Baltimore day with yours truly as the group leader. Let me entertain and thrill you, damnit!