Made by History

Recent Articles

The Voting Rights Act Is a Lesson in Overcoming Setbacks

While the Voting Rights Act was undoubtedly a singular achievement, it represented the culmination of a long struggle.

By Ansley Quiros and Allie R. Lopez / Made by History

This Book Predicted a Key Trump Dynamic

Neil Postman's 1985 "Amusing Ourselves to Death" predicted a dystopian American future where easy entertainment met political repression.

By Sam Collings-Wells / Made by History

The Surprisingly Deep Meaning of Mermaids

Long before 'mermaidcore,' Black mermaids haunted American history, their siren song a clarion call for rebellion against oppression.

By Lindsey Stewart / Made by History

Trump's Embrace of 'Rule or Ruin' Politics

The move to restore Confederate names to memorials and military bases implicitly honors a perilous style of governance.

By Elizabeth R. Varon / Made by History

The Real Story of the Little Rock Nine

Trump's allies argue that the need for DEI has long passed. This argument rests on an ahistorical understanding of the civil rights movement.

By Heather McNamee / Made by History

Trump Shatters Legacy of Democracy Promotion

For almost 75 years, Republicans and Democrats alike have seen value in nurturing foreign governments committed to political freedom and free markets.

By Robert Pee / Made by History

The History of the Demonizing Words Used Against Immigrants

Framing groups of people as "savages" has historically been used to justify for extreme tactics.

By Michael E. Neagle / Made by History

Religious Opposition to Trans Healthcare Is New

Decades before "U.S. v. Skrmetti," Christian leaders typically supported access to gender-affirming healthcare.

By Kelsy Burke / Made by History

History Can Teach Modern Activists About Coalition Building

Historically, it has been difficult to build and sustain diverse activist coalitions—but they are uniquely impactful.

By Michael L. Rosino / Made by History

The History of How the Car Seat Made Kids Safer

Child car seats save lives. But for years, Americans didn't embrace them.

By Gary Scales / Made by History

What 1990s Internet History Tells Us About AI

In the 1990s, tech companies used utopian language to sell the internet to consumers. The AI industry is taking a different approach.

By Kate L. Flach / Made by History

How Bureaucracy and Budgets Shape U.S. Medical Research

Over the past several decades, concerns about costs and producing short-term results have narrowed the NIH’s impact.

By Sejal Patel-Tolksdorf / Made by History

History Warns us About Trump's Brain Drain

Historically, when academics and notable figures flee instability, their home countries often suffer.

By Chipo Dendere & Kellie Carter-Jackson

The 200 Year History of American Virtue Capitalism

Despite the recent backlash against DEI, there is a longstanding tradition of virtue capitalism in the United States.

By Joseph P. Slaughter / Made by History

To Bounce Back, Democrats Need a New JFK Moment

JFK's presidential win in 1960 offers a guide for how Democrats can rebound in 2025.

By Bruce W. Dearstyne / Made by History

The Socialist Mayor Who Came Before Zohran Mamdani

George Lunn, socialist mayor of Schenectady, New York rose to political power in 1911 by making a tangible difference in people's lives.

By Andrew Morris / Made by History

The History Predating Trump's 'Alligator Alcatraz'

The location of Trump's immigrant detention center has a painful history of incarceration, abuse, and private interests.

By Antonio Ramirez / Made by History

Robert La Follette's Progressive Vision

Robert La Follette saw politics as a never-ending struggle for democracy and fairness and preached perseverance.

By Nancy C. Unger / Made by History

What Happens When Big Tech Goes Nuclear?

Silicon Valley is betting on a nuclear energy renaissance. But history shows that the state plays an essential role in regulating this tech.

By Jayita Sarkar / Made by History

The Importance of Birthright Citizenship

The 14th Amendment aimed to overturn restrictive state laws while making the Constitution more inclusive.

By Anna O. Law / Made by History
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