Category Archives: American history

Richard Tregaskis: Capturing War’s Grit and Humanity Through Journalism

For the American public at home in 1942, the war raging thousands of miles across oceans could seem remote and opaque. Richard Tregaskis’ Guadalcanal Diary brought the stories of the American forces engaged in brutal fighting to the homefront in … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Authors and literature, Guadalcanal Campaign, Journalism, military history, Uncategorized, War correspondents, World War II | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Laboratory-War Zone: Natural Knowledge and Frontier Violence in the American West

The “Skull of [a] Medicine Man” sits among 728 photographs in William Henry Jackson’s Descriptive Catalogue of the United States Geological Survey of the Territories produced between 1869 and 1873. This seemingly unremarkable catalog listing obscures a disturbing reality – … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, American history, American Indian history, Anthropology, Colonialism, Photography, Racism, Uncategorized, Western history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John B. Kendrick and the Teapot Dome Scandal: A Historical Perspective

100 years ago, on October 25, 1923, the U.S. Senate Committee on Public Lands published its first report on the Teapot Dome scandal. The scandal stands as one of the most notorious episodes of political corruption in American history. Centered … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Corruption and scandals, Government accountability, Historical scandals, Petroleum history, Political controversy, Political history, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Oppenheimer” and the Wyoming Senator Who Defied the U.S. President

Christopher Nolan’s latest film Oppenheimer depicts the dramatic events that surrounded the development of the atomic bomb and its aftermath. One of the key episodes in the film is the confirmation hearings for Lewis Strauss, who was nominated by President … Continue reading

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Pieces of the Hindenburg: Treasure Hunting in Wyoming

While doing research in 2013 at the American Heritage Center for the National History Day competition, I came across an amazing discovery. Many History Day students strategically (and wisely) first pick a collection at the AHC and then base their … Continue reading

Posted in Aircraft accident, American history, aviation history, found in the archive, National History Day, Uncategorized, Wyoming History Day | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

James Watt: From Wyoming’s Landscapes to Political Stances, Faith as a Driving Force

James “Jim” Watt, the former Interior Secretary, passed away on May 27, 2023, at the age of 85. While his tenure as Interior Secretary during the Reagan administration defined him, his career spanned various roles and contributions. Born and raised … Continue reading

Posted in American history, conservation, Economic Geology, energy resources, environmental history, Natural resources, oral histories, Political controversy, Political history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“What Did the President Know, and When Did He Know It?” – The Watergate Hearings of 1973

May 17, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the hearings of the Senate Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities. More commonly known as the Watergate hearings, the inquiry focused the attention of the American public on the activities … Continue reading

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The Fascinating Life of Nellie Bly

Elizabeth Cochrane was born in 1867 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Little is known about her early life except that she grew up in a large family and was particularly independent minded. While still a teenager, she was offended by a Pittsburgh … Continue reading

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Resources in the Toppan Rare Book Library for Black History Month

Black History Month is celebrated annually in February. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to Blacks living in the United States … Continue reading

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“I’m Sorry Mother, For This Lousy Letter…”: Viewpoints on the Vietnam War

January 27, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords, which signaled the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. It’s an especially appropriate time to remember the sentiments and experiences of those involved … Continue reading

Posted in American history, International relations, military history, Political history, Southeast Asia, Uncategorized, Vietnam War | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment