american history
The cover of the new narrative nonfiction book "The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age." We spoke with author Michael Wolraich about the book.

The Jazz Age Murder That Transformed New York City

Michael Wolraich talks about unearthing the mysteries of "The Bishop and the Butterfly," a tale which involves FDR during his time as governor

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is Selling a George Washington Portrait

Proceeds will benefit the museum's acquisition fund

"Saving Private Ryan" screening

Making a World War II Film Has Plenty of Challenges — Costumes Included
CIA logo

Revisiting the Life of the CIA Operative Who Anticipated the Sputnik Launch
Wes Davis and "American Journey"

Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and John Burroughs Were Road Trip Pioneers
Dream Speech

New Documentary Exposes FBI's Surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr.

"MLK/FBI" is out now

A copy of the "Baltimore Patriot" containing the song that would become "The Star-Spangled Banner"

First Printing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” Is Up for Auction

The song became the national anthem following a congressional resolution in March of 1931

(Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)

Presidents Day: Washington, Lincoln Were Once as Divisive as Trump, Obama

Historians caution presidential legacies need to be seen over time and space to be analyzed.

BOSTON - JANUARY 1: A molasses tank collapsed and caused widespread damage in Boston's North End in January 1919. The incident is commonly referred to as the Great Molasses Flood. (Photo by The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Remembering the Most Bizarre Disaster in American History

Today marks the centennial of Boston's Great Molasses Flood.

Philadelphia Museum Offers Rare Look Inside the Private Life of Alexander Hamilton

Exhibit includes never-before-seen heirlooms from the Founding Father's fifth great-grandson.

The McNally Estate in Altadena, California (Zillow)

10 of the Most Historic Homes on the Market Now

These are some of America's most storied pieces of real estate and they're all for sale.

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U.S.S. The Sullivans

In Buffalo, a World War II Vessel Is Sinking and No One Knows Why

It's been there since the 1970s

Talbot County Courthouse

Removed Confederate Monument Sets a Milestone in Maryland

It's heading to a battlefield in Virginia

Unbuilt cottage

3-D Technology Brings Three Unbuilt Frank Lloyd Wright Designs to Life

An intriguing look at what might have been

Cannon in the river

Archaeologists Keep Finding Revolutionary War Cannons in One River

An unexpected piece of history

Donner Summit

Can Tunnels Used by the Transcontinental Railroad Be Saved?

Exploring the history of the Donner Summit tunnels

Ulysses S. Grant

You Can Still See Ulysses S. Grant's Memorial Flowers in Upstate New York

The same ones from 1885

Books

What Goes Into a Book Collection Worth Eight Figures?

An upcoming auction gives us an answer

Constitution, in building form

There Are 13 First Copies of the Constitution Left. One Just Sold at Auction for $43 Million.

This was far in excess of what was estimated

Witch trial in Salem, Massachusetts. Lithograph by George H. Walker.

Salem’s Last Witch to Be Pardoned, Thanks to Some Teenagers

Elizabeth Johnson stands to have her conviction overturned more than 300 years after the Salem witch trials

Alexander Hamilton statue

Was Alexander Hamilton Actually Raised Jewish?

One historian's findings show there's always more to learn about Alexander Hamilton

Benjamin Franklin statue

Benjamin Franklin's Family Tragedy Recalls the Importance of Vaccines

The parallels to today are uncanny

Yellowstone

The Dinner Party That Helped Preserve Yellowstone National Park

Unsurprisingly, Theodore Roosevelt played a part in it

A member of the Providence Grays of the Vintage Base Ball Association in the team's traditional thick woolen uniform

There’s No Crying — or Gloves — in Vintage Baseball

Across the country, a more primitive version of our national pastime is alive and well

Big Ben

A London Foundry Cast the Liberty Bell and Big Ben. It's Turning Into a Boutique Hotel.

A very different future for Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Revolutionary War hero Molly Pitcher arming a cannon in a black and white image

Did Revolutionary War Hero Molly Pitcher Ever Actually Exist?

Revisiting the history (and the legend) of the cannon-wielding widow

Memorial Day Ceremony At Prince Hall Cemetery

Revisiting the Legacy of Abolitionist Founding Father Prince Hall

He lived and worked in Massachusetts during a turning point for the nation