Category Archives: Politics

Wyoming Governor Frank Emerson’s KKK Conundrum

In the complex landscape of 1920s American politics, the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan emerged as a significant, if geographically uneven, force. Even in Wyoming, far from the Klan’s southern roots, politicians found themselves navigating tricky waters when it … Continue reading

Posted in 1920s America, Gubernatorial Campaigns, Politics, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suffrage for Women – The Push to Ratify the 19th Amendment

On August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment was ratified, guaranteeing American women the right to vote. Before that date, Wyoming women had long been known for leading trailblazing efforts towards women’s rights. In 1869, the territory was the first in … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Politics, Suffrage -- United States, Uncategorized, Women -- suffrage, women's history, Women's suffrage, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Senator Gale McGee Buttonholed by Mom and Dad

The presidential inauguration last week brings to mind a couple of fun stories told by former U.S. Senator Gale McGee of Wyoming. In 1982, an oral history was conducted with McGee for placement in the John F. Kennedy Library. McGee … Continue reading

Posted in Political history, Politics, Post World War II, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

From Manhattan Project Scientist To Anti-Nuclear Crusader

Dr. Harrison Brown found ways to separate plutonium to devise the world’s first atomic weapons and then spent the rest of his life urging the abolition of those same deadly devices. He was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, on September 26, … Continue reading

Posted in Cold War, military history, Political history, Politics, Post World War II, Science, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Poet Drama in the Selden Rodman Papers

Selden Rodman (1909-2002) was a prolific author, biographer, poet, editor as well as an art collector and cultural critic. He published a book nearly every year of his adult life. He was a rebellious young man who, while attending Yale … Continue reading

Posted in Authors and literature, Journalism, Poetry, Political history, Politics, Uncategorized, writers and poets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barry Goldwater Strikes Back: A Forgotten Libel Case of the 1960s

The UW American Heritage Center was fortunate in April 2019 to have a visit from Dr. John Martin-Joy, psychiatrist and author who publishes on literary and psychiatric topics. Dr. Martin-Joy researched the papers of Ralph Ginzburg, a provocative author, editor, … Continue reading

Posted in Current events, Political history, Politics, Scandals, Social justice, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Votes for Women – The 1920 Ratification Campaign

Grace Raymond Hebard and Carrie Chapman Catt On June 4, 1919, the Senate passed the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution. The amendment stated: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or … Continue reading

Posted in Local history, Politics, Suffrage -- United States, University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming history, Western history, western politics and leadership, Women -- suffrage, women's history, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wyoming Statesman Gale McGee Encounters a Bolivian Coup D’état

Between 1978 and 1980, the country of Bolivia was constantly in a state of crisis. There was a series of military governments that ruled briefly, each overthrown by the next. Rodger McDaniel’s 2018 book, The Man in the Arena: The … Continue reading

Posted in Alan K. Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership, Bolivian history, found in the archive, Gale McGee, International relations, military history, Organization of American States, Political history, Politics, Uncategorized, Violence - history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Defiance and Consequences: The Montgomery Ward Seizure

On December 27, 1944, the U.S. government seized control of properties belonging to Montgomery Ward, a successful department store retailer that had been in business since 1872. Why you ask? We hope you’re asking… During World War II, President Franklin … Continue reading

Posted in Economic History, found in the archive, Labor disputes, Montgomery Ward, Politics, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Uncategorized, War and emergency powers | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Old-Time Saloon – Just History

Prohibition is little discussed today except in history classes. But if you’re interested in the still relevant political arguments that led to Prohibition in the first place, read the 1931 book The Old-Time Saloon: Not Wet, Not Dry—Just History by George … Continue reading

Posted in Authors and literature, cartoons, Holidays, Journalism, Politics, Prohibition, rare books, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment