Tag Archives: american history

Andrew Jackson = Donald Trump? Lessons from the Election of 1824

Posted on November 5, 2020 by lindenme

On March 15, 2017, President Donald Trump told a crowd of supporters that Andrew Jackson was one of his inspirational heroes. “They say my election was most similar to his.” Trump continued, “that’s a long time ago. Usually, they go … Continue reading →

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Immigration History on Parade in South Philly

Posted on October 12, 2014 by lindenme

Living immigration and ethnic history in the October 12, 2014 Columbus Day Parade in South Philadelphia:  As expected, Mummers, high school marching bands, and ethnic heritage societies happily dominated the parade, proudly reflcting the event’s Italian American theme and long … Continue reading →

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Larry Price is a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist. His pictures of child miners in Africa are heart wrenching. In the early 20th century,  Lewis Hine used similar images of American child workers to advocate for child labor laws. Price’s photographs … Continue reading →

Posted on October 31, 2013 by lindenme | 1 Comment

Good Public Policy and Summer’s Hidden Dangers

Posted on August 13, 2013 by lindenme

“Water was rough where tuber went missing,” noted a headline in the August 12, 2013 Philadelphia Inquirer. A similar story in the Washington Post read, “In the Potomac’s grip: Why people drown at Great Falls.”  Both articles warned that each summer the … Continue reading →

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Dateline: July 5, 2013–Philadelphia

Posted on July 5, 2013 by lindenme

Living in Philadelphia is a kick for an American historian. I’m especially a sucker for the city’s 4th of July celebrations. This year’s program at Independence Hall  emphasized the importance and complex history of the struggle for civil rights in … Continue reading →

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Today’s Best History Blooper: Ben Franklin was the Greatest U.S. President

Posted on February 22, 2013 by lindenme

Another sad history howler in online media. Today, THRILLIST, a national media/entertainment blog, sent the following statement in an email to subscribers: “Many Philadelphians would argue local hero Ben Franklin is the greatest president of all time, because his face … Continue reading →

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WHM: It’s That Time of Year…Again

Posted on February 21, 2013 by lindenme

The profusion of events crowded into annual Women’s History Month celebrations can be exhausting. I’ve spent my professional career advocating for the inclusion of women and gender in historical study, but I’m conflicted about themed history months as the best … Continue reading →

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Buffalo Bill Cody in the News

Posted on February 17, 2013 by lindenme

Kit and Barry Cody were killed in a plane crash in Central Florida on February 16, 2013. The Missoulian identified the victims as the great-grandsons of William Cody, the founder and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. For better or worse, the sad story … Continue reading →

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Priceless Melton Barker Short Films

Posted on February 13, 2013 by lindenme

Capturing the voices and images of children from the past can be illusive. Even when the sources do exist, archives and libraries rarely make it easy to identify sources that relate the direct experiences of kids. One exception is The … Continue reading →

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