Articles & Books From American History

U.S. History For Dummies
Explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of the United States historyLooking for the essentials of more than 200 years of United States history? Starting at the early civilizations, U.S. History For Dummies covers the growing pains of a new nation. Brush up on the major wars, from fighting against each other to fighting the world.
Article / Updated 10-20-2023
When you look at the problems the British had and then look at the dilemmas the Americans faced, it’s no wonder the American Revolutionary War took eight years.In the early years at least, probably as few as a third of Americans supported the revolution. About 20 percent, called loyalists or Tories after the ruling political party in Britain, were loyal to the crown, and the rest didn’t care much one way or another.
Article / Updated 10-20-2023
The first thing the British had going for them when it came to fighting the Americans was a whole bunch of fighters. The British army consisted of about 50,000 men. They “rented” another 30,000 mercenary German soldiers. In addition, they had the best navy in the world.And the people the Brits were fighting, the colonists, had no regular army, no navy at all, and few real resources to assemble them.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 10-19-2023
This Cheat Sheet provides key dates that outline some of the most important events in U.S. history, which is as complex and fascinating as the people who populate the country. Key dates in US historyYou may think U.S. history starts with the American Revolution, but before that pivotal event came the hunters who first explored the continent and the Europeans who tried to colonize it.
Article / Updated 08-10-2023
From the beginning, the Trump administration was mired in scandals that have undermined his presidency. The constant wave of scandals has resulted in negative coverage of his presidency, overshadowing his economic and foreign policy successes.Instead of being able to focus on domestic and foreign policy, President Trump has constantly dealt with putting out fires often caused by his own actions.
Article / Updated 08-04-2023
During the mid-1760s, America and Britain had managed to confine their differences to rhetorical battles and bloodless economic boycotts. But the conflict took a decided turn after the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773. ©Tony Baggett / Adobe StockAn engraved illustration of George Washington crossing the River Delaware during the American Revolutionary War, from a Victorian book dated 1886.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 06-21-2023
This Cheat Sheet focuses on 50 key dates in the history of first ladies of the United States. These events mark the unique and continuing evolution of the office of First Lady and the first ladies themselves. ©Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs DivisionJacqueline Lee Bouvier KennedyEvents during the 1700s and 1800sJune 3, 1781: Martha Jefferson dies.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 06-09-2023
One of the remarkable aspects of the American Revolution is the staying power of the basic structure of government the founding fathers laid down. That doesn’t mean, however, that the structure was either simple or perfect.To help you understand a bit more about the complexities — and flaws — in the governmental building blocks they used, here are “backgrounders” on three of those blocks: the Electoral College, reapportionment (gerrymandering), and amending the U.
Article / Updated 06-06-2023
Today, the president performs many roles in society. The president has become the preeminent politician in the United States. Some of his presidential duties and roles include: Head of state: The president symbolizes the United States. Other countries judge the United States by what kind of president the U.
Article / Updated 05-19-2023
Father's Day, celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of June, got a jump start from the formation of Mother's Day. Credit for beginning Father's Day celebrations is given to Sonora Smart Dodd (1882—1978) of Spokane, Washington. ©MarijaBazarova / Adobe StockAt the turn of the century, Mother's Day observances were growing across the United States.