David Ferriero Sworn in as Archivist of the U.S. - November 12, 2009
By Lee White, Executive Director of the National Coalition for History
On November 13, David Ferriero, the former Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries, was sworn in as the tenth Archivist of the United States…
Article By: Lee White, Executive Director of the National Coalition for History
LGBTQ Taskforce Statement - November 09, 2009
By Leisa Meyer, Taskforce co-chair
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Taskforce of the AHA was created by AHA Council at the January 2009 annual meeting. The Taskforce is composed of five members (with the vice president and a member of the Professional Division and AHA serving as co-chairs), one additional AHA member appointed by the Professional Division (PD), and two appointed by the Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender History (CLGBTH), an affiliate society of the AHA. The Taskforce has a three-year charge and meets once a year always during the AHA annual meeting with several conference calls during the year for discussion of ongoing business.
Article By: Leisa Meyer, Taskforce co-chair
AHA Launches Drive to Endow New Prize for South Asian History - November 09, 2009
Following a recent Council decision, the AHA has launched a drive to endow a new annual prize—the John F. Richards Prize—for the best book South Asian history, and invites all interested in the region’s history to contribute generously to the fund.
New Member Category for Early Career Professionals - November 03, 2009
By Elise Lipkowitz and Robert B. Townsend
We are pleased to announce the establishment of and Early Career Member category, to assist junior members of the profession in their transition from graduate school into long-term employment in the profession.
Article By: Elise Lipkowitz and Robert B. Townsend
AHA’s Two-Year College Task Force Begins Work - October 26, 2009
The ad hoc Two-Year College Task Force, which was established by the AHA’s Council in January 2009, has begun its work of exploring various issues relating to history faculty at two-year colleges. At the end of its three-year tenure, the task force is expected to present a set of recommendations to Council.
Members’ Books Received at the AHA – October 2009 - October 25, 2009
By David Darlington
As a service to AHA members, we are listing books by members received in the headquarters office in recent months. These postings will only constitute an announcement of their publication and provide short descriptions of the books (as described by their publishers). These are not reviews. Books for review by the AHR need to be sent to the attention of Moureen Coulter, 914 Atwater, Bloomington, IN 47401.
Article By: David Darlington
Directory of History Departments and Organizations Now Online - October 20, 2009
We are pleased to announce that a searchable edition of the Directory of History Departments and Organizations is now available online, and we are offering a special trial preview through October 31 to anyone with a web browser.
New Books in History Podcast of Atlantic World Book - October 13, 2009
By Miriam Hauss Cunningham, Administrative Officer of the National History Center
The National History Center has entered into a partnership with New Books In History, which audiocasts interviews with historians discussing their latest research and writing. The first in the series offered in conjunction with the New Books in History focuses on the “Reinterpreting History” books, published by Oxford University Press.
Article By: Miriam Hauss Cunningham, Administrative Officer of the National History Center
Happy 3rd Birthday AHA Today! - September 27, 2009
Three short years ago AHA Today joined the blogosphere to share “the latest happenings in the broad discipline of history” as well as to “serve as a clearinghouse for interesting, and perhaps useful information about the profession.” Since that time AHA staff members have produced over 850 blog posts, which have been viewed by more than 200,000 visitors.
Bureau of the Census Seeks Nominations for Census Advisory Committee - September 22, 2009
The Bureau of the Census in the Department of Commerce is seeking ten nominations for organizations willing to participate on the 2010 Census Advisory Committee (2010 CAC).
Members, What’s New? - September 21, 2009
By David Darlington
The Members column, which is published in Perspectives on History as space permits, is designed to recognize and honor the accomplishments of AHA members. News of recent hires, promotions, publications, fellowships or awards received, and other news of a professional nature are welcomed. Some recent member achievements include…
Article By: David Darlington
AHA Establishes Technology Advisory Committee - September 20, 2009
The Association has established a Technology Advisory Committee, to provide guidance to the AHA Council and staff on how the organization’s electronic publishing program might do better today and where it should be five years from now.
Members' Books Recently Received at the AHA - September 07, 2009
By David Darlington
As a service to AHA members, we are initiating a new listing of books by members received in the headquarters office in recent months. These postings will only constitute an announcement of their publication, and provide short descriptions of the books (as described by their publishers). These are not reviews.
Article By: David Darlington
Moving Ahead with Retirement - August 25, 2009
By Arnita A. Jones
After ten years of service to the AHA, Arnita Jones will be retiring from her post as Executive Director effective September 1, 2010. In this post she reflects on retirement and the pleasures of the post.
Article By: Arnita A. Jones
Applications Are Invited for the Position of Executive Director - August 23, 2009
The American Historical Association invites applications for the post of executive director, the Association’s chief executive position, responsible to the elected AHA Council. The executive director assists the Council in forming policy, oversees the work of all AHA divisions and committees, coordinates the Association’s collaboration with its affiliates and with other professional organizations, engages in advocacy for history and the humanities in conjunction with other professional organizations and works with Council to represent history before the general public.
Short Blog Hiatus - August 09, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
AHA Today will be on hiatus this week, with no scheduled posts (unscheduled posts, like breaking news, are always a possibility). We’ll be back next week with new online resources, articles from around the web, and the grant of the week. In the meantime, feel free to revisit (or check out for the first time) these past AHA Today posts…
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
Myron Gutmann Appointed Head of NSF Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences - July 28, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
Historian and longtime AHA member Myron Gutmann has been appointed to head the National Science Foundation’s directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences.
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
President Obama To Appoint David S. Ferriero Archivist of the U.S. - July 27, 2009
By Lee White, Executive Director of the National Coalition for History
The National Coalition for History has learned from several sources that President Obama intends later today to nominate David S. Ferriero to the position of Archivist of the United States. Since 2004, Mr. Ferriero has served as the Andrew W. Mellon Director and Chief Executive of The Research Libraries at The New York Public Library (NYPL). Mr. Ferriero succeeds Professor Allen Weinstein who resigned last December.
Article By: Lee White, Executive Director of the National Coalition for History
AHA Calendar: History Events, Opportunities, Awards, and More - July 21, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
The AHA’s online calendar lists upcoming meetings and seminars, research opportunities, awards and fellowships, internet resources, and exhibitions. Contribute your own announcement through this online form. Below we offer snippets of some of the current listings.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
In Memoriam: Kenneth M. Stampp - July 14, 2009
By David Darlington
We regret to announce the passing of Kenneth Milton Stampp on Friday, July 10, 2009. Stampp died of a heart ailment in Oakland, California. He was 96.
Article By: David Darlington
AHA Members Win ACLS Fellowships - July 07, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) recently announced its fellowship recipients for 2009. Among these winners were a number of AHA members. We list, and congratulate them, below.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
Limited War, Unlimited - July 06, 2009
By Miriam Hauss Cunningham, Administrative Officer of the National History Center
The National History Center invites the public to attend its Decolonization Lecture Series featuring Professor Marilyn B. Young on Limited War, Unlimited.
Article By: Miriam Hauss Cunningham, Administrative Officer of the National History Center
Summer in D.C.: 2009 History Related Events - July 06, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
The AHA’s headquarters is located in D.C., amidst the hustle and bustle of Capitol Hill. Our location here is advantageous for a number of reasons, one of which being proximity to various history exhibits and events. In case you’re in the area, or are traveling to D.C. for a vacation this summer, here are some events in D.C. you may want to check out…
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
Government Ventures into Declassification Issues via Web 2.0 - June 30, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
The federal government is currently seeking information on its declassification policies, and is doing so through a blog—offering a high-level test of the value of Web 2.0.
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
AHA Membership Grows Modestly, as History of Religion Surpasses Culture - June 29, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
Despite the hardships in the economy, membership in the AHA actually increased slightly over the past year. In our annual membership snapshot (taken on March 31 of each year), membership rose to over 15,000 members for the first time in 35 years. While this marks an important milestone, in real terms the 15,055 members marked only a modest increase (just 152 more than last year).
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
National History Day 2009: The Individual in History - June 21, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
This year over a half a million students across the country participated in National History Day and explored historical topics centered on the theme of “The Individual in History.”
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
Government on Twitter - June 15, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
First YouTube, then blogging, and now Twitter; it appears that the U.S. government has fully embraced Web 2.0. What parts of the government are on Twitter? Steve Lunceford, blogger and managing director of a PR firm, has created an extensive list of areas of government on Twitter, including “state and local, federal, contractors, reporters, academics, judicial branch and more.”
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
In Memoriam: Ernest R. May - June 14, 2009
By David Darlington
Ernest R. May, Charles Warren Professor of American History at Harvard University and a consultant to numerous government agencies, passed away on June 1, 2009, following complications from cancer surgery. He was a 50 year member of the AHA.
Article By: David Darlington
Status Update on Paper of Record Materials - June 08, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
The staff at Google have now posted information about the status of the newspapers obtained from the Paper of Record. As we reported last month, a number of members were deeply distressed after these materials were taken off line and they could not find out about their status.
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
Jim Leach Nominated for NEH Chair - June 03, 2009
On June 3, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Jim Leach, former Republican congressman from Iowa, as chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The National Coalition for History: Latest News - June 01, 2009
The National Coalition for History (NCH) represents the historical and archival professions on issues involving federal funding and policy issues that have an impact on historical research and teaching, access to government information, employment of historians, public policy issues relating to history, historic preservation, and the dissemination of historical information. In case you missed it, here’s a roundup of some recent highlights from the NCH web site…
AHA Asks Support for Louisiana State University Press - May 28, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
In a letter to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Arnita Jones, the AHA’s executive director, called on the state leaders to preserve the health and vitality of Louisiana State University Press, which faces deep and perhaps fatal cuts to its budget.
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
In Memoriam: David Herbert Donald - May 19, 2009
By David Darlington
David Herbert Donald passed away Sunday, May 17, 2009, at the age of 88. Donald was a life member of the AHA, having joined the organization in 1946. The Mississippi native was a well-regarded scholar of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era, and the winner of two Pulitzer Prizes for biographies of abolitionist Charles Sumner (1961) and writer Thomas Wolfe (1988).
Article By: David Darlington
Kluge Prizewinner Romila Thapar Discusses Perceptions of India’s Past - May 19, 2009
By Pillarisetti Sudhir
On Tuesday, May 12, 2009, Romila Thapar, eminent historian of India, and recipient of the 2008 Kluge Prize for lifetime contributions to the study of humanity, delivered a lecture entitled “Perceptions of the Past in Early India” to a large audience in the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Thapar demolished the argument that India lacked a history with an eloquent and erudite understanding derived from a new reading of Indian texts, which reflected, she said, a historical consciousness.
Article By: Pillarisetti Sudhir
National History Center News: E-Store and Congressional Briefing - May 18, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
The National History Center recently announced a major addition to its web site and an upcoming congressional briefing.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
America’s Most Endangered Historic Places - April 28, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced this week its 2009 list of the America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
AHA Member wins Pulitzer Prize - April 20, 2009
By David Darlington
Congratulations are in order for AHA member Annette Gordon-Reed, professor at Rutgers University-Newark and New York Law School, who has won the Pulitzer Prize for History for her book, The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family.
Article By: David Darlington
“Paper of Record” Disappears, Leaving Historians in the Lurch - April 16, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
The digital archive called “Paper of Record”—a significant repository of old newspapers from around the world—disappeared in late January, leaving many historians without a critical tool for their research.
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
John Hope Franklin, Scholar and Mirror to America, Dead at the Age of 94 - March 25, 2009
By Vernon Horn
John Hope Franklin, the eminent historian of African American history, civil rights activist, and teacher died yesterday of congestive heart failure at the Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC. He was 94.
Article By: Vernon Horn
Members, What Are You Up To? - March 09, 2009
The Members column, which is published in Perspectives on History as space permits, is designed to recognize and honor the accomplishments of AHA members. To submit an entry…
Concerns about State Department Historians Office Aired - February 12, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
An inquiry into the Office of the Historian at the U.S. State Department (HO) concludes that “the current working atmosphere in the HO and between the HO and the HAC [Historical Advisory Committee] poses real threats to the high scholarly quality of the FRUS [Foreign Relations of the United States] series and the benefits it brings.” Secrecy News posted the report, by a committee consisting of Warren F. Kimball (chair), Ruth Whiteside, and Ron Spector, up yesterday.
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
More Ways to Share - February 03, 2009
By Elisabeth Grant
The world of Web 2.0 is all about sharing. From photos to YouTube videos to academic articles, if it can be linked, people want to share. Now at AHA Today you can share blog posts in two new ways: through e-mail and on Facebook.
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
New Appointments at NEH and the Congressional Humanities Caucus - January 27, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
Jessica Irons, director of the National Humanities Alliance (of which the AHA is a founding member), reports that an acting chair has been named for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and that the Republicans have named a new co-chair to the Congressional Humanities Caucus.
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
Seeking Nominations for 2011 Program Committee - January 26, 2009
The AHA Research Division invites anyone interested in serving on the Program Committee for the 2011 annual meeting to submit their names for consideration. The meeting will be held in Boston, Massachusetts.
Mixed News For Historians in Records Access - January 22, 2009
By Robert B. Townsend
President Barack Obama articulated a significant policy shift regarding federal records in his first week in office, signing an executive order on presidential records and issuing a presidential memorandum on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). But the news of the week was a bit mixed, as historians and ethics groups lost a lawsuit to preserve records from outgoing vice president Richard Cheney.
Article By: Robert B. Townsend
ACLS Humanities E-Book Adds New Titles - January 20, 2009
The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) recently added 500 new titles online to Humanities E-Book. This addition now brings the Humanities E-Book digital collection up to 2,200 titles. Notable among the recent additions is the AHA’s Guide to Historical Literature series.
A First Glimpse of the Public History Survey - December 23, 2008
By John Dichtl, Executive Director, National Council on Public History and Robert B. Townsend
Thanks to the support and interest of almost 4,000 members of the profession, our survey of public history professionals was a terrific success…
Article By: John Dichtl, Executive Director, National Council on Public History and Robert B. Townsend
History Detectives and the National Parks - December 16, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
PBS’ show History Detectives asks, “Do you, a family member or a friend have an item around the house that has something to do with one of our nearly 400 national parks, monuments and historic sites that might be of historical significance?”
Article By: Elisabeth Grant
Results of 2008 AHA Election - November 30, 2008
Here are the winners of the 2008 AHA Election. These individuals will begin their terms of office following the 123rd Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Historians Among Winners of 2008 National Humanities Medals - November 23, 2008
By David Darlington
President George W. Bush awarded the 2008 National Humanities Medals and National Medals of Arts at the White House this past Monday, November 17, 2008. Several historians were among the recipients of these prestigious awards given out by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Article By: David Darlington
Executive Director Search Begins at the OAH - November 20, 2008
The Organization of American Historians has called for applications from qualified individuals who wish to be considered for the position of executive director of the 100-year-old organization, which is dedicated to the promotion of “excellence in the scholarship, teaching, and presentation of American history.” The screening of applications began on November 15, 2008, but the search will continue until the position is filled. The appointment will initially be made for a five-year term.
The Role of the History Major in Liberal Education: White Paper report for the Teagle Foundation - October 21, 2008
By Miriam Hauss, Administrative Officer of the National History Center
In a report issued this week, a working group of the National History Center urges history departments to reassess their curriculum for history majors, with an eye towards emphasizing the goals and values of liberal education.
Article By: Miriam Hauss, Administrative Officer of the National History Center
CISH Invites Paper Proposals for the 2010 Amsterdam Congress - October 21, 2008
By Pillarisetti Sudhir
The International Committee for Historical Sciences (known more commonly by the French acronym, CISH) is going forward rapidly with the organizational work for the 22nd International Congress of Historical Sciences, to be held August 22-28, 2010, in Amsterdam. The bureau now invites individual scholars to submit—by February 1, 2009—proposals for individual papers for each type of session.
AHA Member among 25 Recipients of MacArthur Foundation Grants - September 23, 2008
By Pillarisetti Sudhir
Nancy G. Siraisi, emeritus professor of history at the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York, and a member of the AHA, was among the recipients of the 25 fellowships awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which were announced on September 23, 2008.
Article By: Pillarisetti Sudhir
National Trust Reports on Storm Damage to Historic Sites, Warns of Continuing Danger to Landmarks in New Orleans - September 21, 2008
By Debbie Ann Doyle
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has posted reports on the impact of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav on historic buildings in the affected areas, including several National Trust properties.
Article By: Debbie Ann Doyle
AHA Member Access to the History Compass Extended to October 31 - August 31, 2008
By Vernon Horn
The AHA is pleased to announce that free access to the History Compass will continue until October 31, 2008…
Decolonization and Disorder - August 17, 2008
By Miriam Hauss
As a part of the National History Center’s third International Seminar on Decolonization in the 20th Century, Dane Kennedy, the Elmer Louis Kayser Professor of History and International Affairs at George Washington University, gave a lecture entitled “Decolonization and Disorder” at the Kluge Center of the Library of Congress on July 9, 2008…
Eighth Annual National Book Festival Announced - August 03, 2008
By David Darlington
Recently, the Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and First Lady Laura Bush announced the eighth annual National Book Festival, to be held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on September 27, 2008. Nearly 70 authors will be on hand to talk to audiences, answer questions, and sign books…
JSTOR and Aluka Partner Up - July 29, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
On Monday it was announced that JSTOR (an interdisciplinary digital archive) and Aluka (a digital library of resources from and about Africa) are joining up to combine their resources and mission.
Member News Wanted - July 27, 2008
The Members column, which is published in Perspectives on History as space permits, is designed to recognize and honor the accomplishments of AHA members…
National Park Service Releases Historic Preservation Study - July 15, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
Over ten years ago Congress called on the National Park Service to investigate Revolutionary War sites and War of 1812 sites, evaluate their significance, and identify any threats to them. The resulting report, the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Historic Preservation Study, is now available online…
Thurgood Marshall - July 01, 2008
By David Darlington
Today, July 2nd, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Thurgood Marshall, prominent American jurist and the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court. Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 2, 1908.
Building an Archives Wiki Advisory Board - June 29, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
As Archives Wiki approaches its sixth month online, I have decided to develop an Advisory Board for site. I invite applications or expressions of interest from historians, archivists, and genealogists working in the archives, who would be interested in joining an AHA Advisory Board.
Draft Best Practices for Public History Education from the NCPH - June 24, 2008
By Debbie Ann Doyle
The Curriculum and Training Committee of the National Council on Public History (NCPH) has posted draft best practices recommendations for public history education on the NCPH web site, including recommended best practices for MA programs in public history, graduate certificate programs, undergraduate public history programs, and public history internships.
National History Day 2008: Conflict and Compromise - June 22, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
This year’s National History Day centered on the theme “Conflict and Compromise in History.” Events took place Sunday, June 15 through Thursday, June 19, 2008, at the University of Maryland, with students presenting papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, and even web sites (a new category this year). Congratulations to all of the winners, but also the more than 500,000 students across the country who participated this year. Below we’ve listed the winners in each category…
AHA Council Approves New Bylaws - June 19, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
At its biennial meeting last week, the AHA Council revised the bylaws to the AHA’s Constitution. While the Constitution lays out the basic structure for the organization, the bylaws describe how the organization actually functions…
Reports from the 2008 Berkshire Conference on the History of Women - June 17, 2008
By David Darlington
The triennial Berkshire Conference on the History of Women was held June 12-15, 2008, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1,500 scholars attended, according to one estimate. Several bloggers attended and wrote about the experience.
Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative Grants - June 16, 2008
By Vernon Horn
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the Minerva Research Initiative (MRI). Minerva is a university-based social science research program initiated by the Secretary of Defense.
Brief Blog Vacation - June 08, 2008
This week AHA Today will be taking a brief vacation. Regular daily entries will resume next week, starting with Robert Townsend’s examination of changing research habits in the profession.
In the absence of new content we encourage you to read some of our popular blog posts and check out a variety of resources on the historians.org site:
Popular posts
- Google Books: What’s Not to Like?
- What Is a History Major Worth?
- Pells Bells: The End of Cultural History?
- Jobs and Careers in History
- Wikimapia: “Let’s Describe the Whole World!”
- Gutenberg-e Books Now Available Open Access and through ACLS Humanities E-Book
Resources at historians.org
- ArchivesWiki
- Directory of History Journals
- Calendar
- Perspectives on History
- AHA Presidential Addresses
A Quick Checkup on AHA Membership - June 01, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
Each year we take a snapshot of the AHA membership on March 31—an annual exam, if you will—to check the health of the organization…
May is National Preservation Month - May 19, 2008
By David Darlington
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has declared May 2008 as the fourth annual National Preservation Month, and has created a number of programs in celebration.
Archives Wiki Needs You! - May 18, 2008
By Vernon Horn
As you begin to prepare for your summer research projects, we hope you’ll visit the AHA’s recently launched ArchivesWiki and contribute.
National History Center Revamps Website - May 06, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
The National History Center recently spruced up its web site with a sleeker, more streamlined look…
Opinions Wanted – Perspectives Reader’s Survey - May 04, 2008
At the beginning of this year Perspectives, the AHA’s newsmagazine, embraced a slightly more specific name, and became Perspectives on History. Now, more changes are afoot, and we’d like to hear your opinions through a survey. Survey takers will be entered in a drawing to receive one of two free memberships.
Historians Included in the 2008 Class of Fellows - April 29, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
This past Monday the American Academy of Arts and Sciences announced its Class of Fellows for 2008. The Academy, founded by John Adams, James Bowdoin, John Hancock, and other forefathers, has been in existence since 1780. Past members have included Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Albert Einstein. This year’s addition of new fellows (190 in all), include a number of scholars drawn from the field of history. See below for a list of these individuals, and visit the academy’s web site for a complete list of fellows.
Latest News from the National Coalition for History - April 27, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
The National Coalition for History has posted quite a number of updates from Washington recently. Visit the NCH news archives for all past posts, and check out the links below for the latest advocacy issues. To keep up to date in the future sign up for the NCH e-mail newsletter, or grab their RSS feed.
Remembering April 16th - April 15, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
One year ago today, 32 Virginia Tech students and faculty lost their lives in the worst school shooting in our nation’s history. Tech will be honoring the victims of this tragedy today with special events and webcasts. Shortly after the events of a year ago, the Center for Digital Discourse and Culture at Virginia Tech along with the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University created the April 16 Archive to be used for “collecting and preserving the stories of the Virginia Tech tragedy.”...
Historian Edward Ayers Inaugurated as University of Richmond President - April 14, 2008
By Noralee Frankel
On a sunny April 11, historian Edward L. Ayers was inaugurated as the ninth president of the University of Richmond in Virginia…
Talking about the Future of the AHA - April 14, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
We hope members—and everyone in the profession with an interest in the future of our disciplinary society—will take a little time to read the report of the Working Group on the Future of the AHA, which can be found in both the print and online versions of the April issue of Perspectives on History. We hope all members of the Association will review the Working Group’s recommendations, and submit their comments and suggestions…
Newseum Re-opens April 11th - April 08, 2008
By David Darlington
Newseum is set to re-open this Friday, April 11, 2008, after a six-year construction project…
JSTOR Gets a New Look (and Much More) - April 07, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
Over the weekend, JSTOR substantially changed its appearance and usability. Quite aside from a classy new look, the site now provides a number of new ways to navigate through the site and use the results.
Free access to History Compass for AHA Members - March 18, 2008
We are delighted to announce that AHA members now have free access to History Compass for 6 months starting 17 March 2008.
Civil War Preservation Trust Releases List of Ten Most Endangered Battlefields - March 17, 2008
By Debbie Ann Doyle
On Wednesday, March 12, the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) hosted a news conference to release its annual report on the ten most endangered Civil War battlefields.
JSTOR for all AHA Members - March 16, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
The University of Chicago Press is now making all 115 years of the American Historical Review available to AHA members through an arrangement with JSTOR…
A Virtual International Museum Conference - March 03, 2008
By Debbie Ann Doyle
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has announced plans for the first virtual International Museum Day, to be hosted at the Tech Museum of Innovation on Second Life ® on May 18, 2008.
Show Your Work - February 18, 2008
By David Darlington
The AHA calendar is the place to go on our web site for various fellowship, research, and seminar opportunities from history-friendly organizations. Let’s take a look at abridged versions of the calls for papers on the calendar with submission deadlines before the end of the academic year.
Archives Wiki Now Available - February 11, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
The AHA is now offering an Archives Wiki as a free resource for historians and other researchers. This project is described in greater detail in the February issue of Perspectives on History, but in general terms, we hope that by harnessing this (relatively) new technology for collaboration on the web, we can draw on the collective interests of thousands of researchers and archivists to develop a rich resource for anyone venturing into new archives for the first time.
Sizeable Response on Review Board Issue - February 10, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
The federal Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) received a large response to their request for comment on research methods subject to institutional review boards (IRBs). Dr. Zachary Schrag, an assistant professor at George Mason University, reports that more than half of the 65 responses to the OHRP’s request asked for an exclusion of oral history research methods.
Secrecy Film Debuts at Sundance - February 05, 2008
By David Darlington
Secrecy, a new film by Harvard professors Peter Galison and Robb Moss about government classification debates, debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2008. Historian Tom Blanton, executive director of the National Security Archive, played a featured role in the film and the discussion following it at Sundance.
Constitutional Changes Ratified by AHA Members - February 03, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
The proposed revisions to the AHA Constitution were overwhelming approved by the membership, by a vote of 605 to 58…
Insights into the Archives - January 31, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
ArchivesNext reports on an intriguing survey from the American Heritage Center about “minimal processing techniques” at archives. This is an issue that most members of the profession are only vaguely aware of, but it stands to have a significant impact on current and future generations of historians.
AHA Petitions for the Release of Rosenberg Files - January 30, 2008
By Robert B. Townsend
The American Historical Association joined the National Security Archive and several other historical associations today in a petition seeking the release of court records from the indictment of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in 1951.
Google Experiments with Search - January 29, 2008
By Elisabeth Grant
Google search, love it or hate it, has become ubiquitous. And now, according to a post Monday on the Official Google blog, searching may be evolving. Google is experimenting with “alternate views for search results,” including timeline, map, and information views…
NARA Seeks Executive Director - January 23, 2008
The National Archives and Records Administration is seeking a new executive director of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). The current director, Max J. Evans, is retiring at the end of this month.
Bullish on History - January 20, 2008
By David Darlington
The stock market may be volatile these days, but the Museum of American Finance is bullish on the future of financial history. The museum re-opened its doors on Friday, January 11, after a $9 million renovation project.
American Historical Association and the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University Announce New Prize - January 13, 2008
The American Historical Association (AHA) and the Center for History and New Media (CHNM) at George Mason University have agreed to institute a joint “Roy Rosenzweig Prize in History and New Media.” The Rosenzweig Prize will be awarded annually for an innovative and freely available new media project that reflects thoughtful, critical, and rigorous engagement with technology and the practice of history.
Members Vote on Revisions to AHA Constitution - January 10, 2008
Following the unanimous approval of the AHA Council and the AHA Business meeting in January, voting on proposed changes to the AHA Constitution is now underway for AHA members.
AHA Asks for Oral History Exclusion - December 26, 2007
By Robert B. Townsend
The American Historical Association formally requested that oral history be excluded from the list of topics subject to “expedited review” last week, in response to a recent request for comments from the Office of Human Research Protections. The letter, approved by the Association’s executive committee, cites the profession’s “long and unhappy experience with the way these policies have been implemented,” and concludes that IRB oversight is in “conflict with the essential canons of our practice.”
Away for the Holidays - December 23, 2007
The AHA office will be closed today and tomorrow, and AHA Today will resume on Thursday, December 27th. Happy Holidays!
Academic Careers Wiki Hacked - December 18, 2007
By David Darlington
The Academic Careers Wiki, a web site dedicated to providing the latest news and gossip about job openings and the status of searches in all academic disciplines, was hacked by a malicious user sometime late last week. The user, sporting an IP address from the Midwestern United States, started deleting whole fields in the wiki database, almost as fast as users could restore them.
ICHS/CISH Deadline Extended to January 15, 2008 - December 13, 2007
Eric Van Young (University of California at San Diego), chair of the AHA’s Committee on International Historical Activities, invites proposals—to be received by January 15, 2008—from all historians (members of the AHA and nonmembers alike) in all fields and practicing in the United States, to be considered for presentation at the 21st International Congress of Historical Sciences to be held August 22–28, 2010, in Amsterdam.
International Tracing Service Opens Holocaust Archive to the Public - December 02, 2007
By Vernon Horn
The International Tracing Service’s archive of Nazi documents, located in the town of Bad Arolsen, Germany, is now open to the general public.
Results of 2007 AHA Election - November 18, 2007
Announcing the winners of the 2007 AHA Election. These individuals will begin their terms of office following the 122nd Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
NPS Director Welcomes New Chief Historian and Sees a Future of Sharing History - November 04, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
On Tuesday of last week, October 30th, the National Park Service and National Trust for Historic Preservation held a reception to honor and recognize two new additions to the National Park Service team: Robert K. Sutton, chief historian; and Daniel Odess, assistant associate director, Park Cultural Resources.
Interdisciplinary Study Gets New Push from Mellon Foundation - November 01, 2007
By Pillarisetti Sudhir
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has given a $672,000 grant to fund an ambitious project at the University of Minnesota Press and the university’s Institute for Advanced Study promote interdisciplinary research and publications.
Library of Congress and Xerox to Team Up on Digital Formats - October 28, 2007
By David Darlington
The Library of Congress and the Xerox Corporation have announced that they will be collaborating on a project to develop new ways to store, preserve, and access digital images, according to a press release on October 25th. The two organizations are experimenting with the JPEG 2000 image format.
Survey Reveals Surprising Number of Missing Items at the Library of Congress - October 23, 2007
By Vernon Horn
According to a survey carried out by the Library of Congress Inspector General, about one sixth of the library’s “books, monographs and bound periodicals” are misplaced, missing, or otherwise unaccounted for…
Over One Million Civil War Pension Applications to be Digitized - October 23, 2007
By David Darlington
The National Archives and the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) have agreed to a five-year partnership to digitize case files of approved pension applications from widows of Civil War Union soldiers, the organizations announced on Tuesday. Under the agreement, digitization will be conducted by GSU, operating as FamilySearch, and will make available unprecedented access to these unique records.
Federal Funding for National History Day? - October 21, 2007
By David Darlington
Republican Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota filed an amendment (3364) last Thursday, October 18th, which would provide federal funding for National History Day, an important event we’ve recognized before on AHA Today.
AHA Constitutional Change Process Continues - October 15, 2007
A second set of revisions to the AHA Constitution will be posted on Friday, October 19th, and further discussion on the special blog will recommence.
Roy Rosenzweig, 1950—2007 - October 11, 2007
By Chris Hale and Pillarisetti Sudhir
Roy Rosenzweig, the Mark and Barbara Fried Professor of History & New Media at George Mason University, and a friend and councilor of the AHA, passed away yesterday, October 11, 2007, due to complications resulting from advanced cancer of the lungs.
AHA President Barbara Weinstein Gives Talk at UNL - October 09, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Tomorrow, Thursday, October 11, AHA President Barbara Weinstein will present a talk on “Academic Freedom in the Age of Homeland Security,” at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s sixth annual Carrol L. Pauley Lecture.
GMU Awarded $7.5 Million for National History Education Clearinghouse - October 03, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
George Mason University announced yesterday that it has been awarded $7.5 million by the U.S. Department of Education to build a National History Education Clearinghouse that “will focus on historical thinking and learning” and “help K-12 history teachers become more effective educators.”
Discussion Open on AHA Constitution Changes - September 30, 2007
The AHA’s Council is proposing amendments to the Association’s constitution to enable the AHA to meet its members’ needs more effectively and efficiently. Starting today, members can express their opinions about the pros and cons of amending the various clauses of the constitution on a discussion forum accessible through member services.
Happy Birthday AHA Today! - September 27, 2007
AHA Today turns one year old today. Since September 28, 2006, AHA staff members have produced over 300 blog posts, which have been viewed by more than 50,000 visitors. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we’d like to reflect on where we started, and how far we’ve come.
National Book Festival this Saturday - September 26, 2007
By David Darlington
The National Book Festival , organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by First Lady Laura Bush, will be held this Saturday, September 29, 2007, in Washington, D.C.
MacArthur Fellowship Awarded to Historian Jay Rubenstein - September 25, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Jay Rubenstein, a medieval historian and an associate professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is one of the 24 MacArthur fellows for 2007.
Smithsonian TV to Debut - September 24, 2007
By Vernon Horn
According to a report in the Washington Post the controversial Smithsonian Networks will begin broadcasting this Wednesday.
Robert K. Sutton selected as Chief Historian, National Park Service - August 29, 2007
By National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the selection of Robert K. Sutton as Chief Historian of the National Park Service. The chief historian provides guidance and direction to the national parks on interpreting the significance of America’s historic places. The position provides national leadership in setting and implementing NPS standards and guidelines relating to the documentation of historically significant properties. Sutton will begin his new position on October 1, 2007.
What’s New on the Calendar? - August 28, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The AHA’s online calendar allows organizations and universities the opportunity to advertise meetings and seminars, research opportunities, awards & fellowships, internet resources, and exhibitions & interpretive resources. Submit an announcement today, through the online form. Here are some of the latest postings on three sections of the AHA calendar…
Tickets Still Available for “A Day with James McPherson” - August 21, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Just a few seats remain for the “A Day with James McPherson” colloquium, taking place this Saturday, August 25 at the Massachusetts School of Law at Andover (MSLAW).
Who Wields the Red Pen? - August 20, 2007
By David Darlington
Wired magazine has reported another effort to unmask unreliable Wikipedia contributors, quite similar to one we reported on last week. The Wikipedia Scanner is the brainchild of California Institute of Technology graduate student Virgil Griffith. The program tracks the IP address of millions of anonymous edits in the online encyclopedia (edits made by unregistered Wikipedia users are recorded by IP address) and cross-references those addresses with the data on who owns the associated IP address block.
National History Center Posts Online Videos of Presentations - August 19, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The National History Center (NHC) “promotes research, teaching, and learning in all fields of history” by many means, including: seminars, conferences, Congressional events, and more. Now anyone can experience these events through video presentations available on their web site.
Recent Updates from the National Coalition for History - August 14, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The National Coalition for History’s Leland White has posted a flurry of Washington updates since last week. His coverage includes…
Member News Wanted - August 13, 2007
By David Darlington, Perspectives associate editor
From time to time, Perspectives runs the Members column, which provides space for AHA members to share with their colleagues their latest career updates. News of recent hires, promotions, publications, fellowships or awards received, and other news of a professional nature are welcomed.
The Red Pen of Truth? - August 08, 2007
By David Darlington
The reliability of the information contained in the online encyclopedia Wikipedia is a contentious topic in academia, as well as on this blog (see Wikipedia Banned by Middlebury College for History Students and Wikipedia: Valuable Resource or Abyss of Misinformation? for example). But recently, computer engineers at the University of California at Santa Cruz came up with a new method which may help separate fact from fiction at Wikipedia: measuring the reliability of those wielding the digital red pen.
Preparing for the National Park Services Second Century: George Wright Society Introduces Essay Series on the National Park Service - August 06, 2007
By Debbie Ann Doyle
In 2016 the U.S. National Park Service will celebrate its 100th anniversary. In anticipation of that event, the George Wright Society, an organization dedicated to protecting the parks and promoting research on and interpretation of their cultural and natural resources, has launched a series of 27 online essays exploring the challenges facing the agency today.
Smithsonian Fires Gary Beer - August 01, 2007
By Vernon Horn
In a bit of “here we go again”, the Smithsonian has fired Gary M. Beer, the CEO of Smithsonian Ventures after an inspector general’s report reported that he had made thousands of dollars of unsubstantiated credit card expenditures. Beer has been ordered to repay $30,000 and was told that the Smithsonian would classify some $65,000 in expenses as “reportable income.”
The National Archives Opens its Vaults to Amazon - August 01, 2007
By Andrew Britt
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) announced last week its plan to make over 200,000 copies of archived video footage available to the public through a partnership with Amazon subsidiary CustomFlix. Head Archivist Allen Weinstein emphasized that the project will contribute to NARA’s preservation programs and provide open, convenient access to an abundance of visual history for the public-at-large.
University Libraries Embrace Print-On-Demand Partnerships - July 30, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Rare and out-of-print books from both Cornell University Library and Emory University are getting new life through print-on-demand services.
DSpace – The Future of Online Archives? - July 25, 2007
By Andrew Britt
Last week the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Hewlett-Packard announced the launch of the DSpace Foundation, endowed with a half-million dollar grant to support the increasingly numerous and diverse web of users adopting DSpace—an open source software program used to publish, organize, and store digitized archival collections, scholarship, and research.
Crawford Young Gives Free Lecture on the African Colonial State - July 23, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Tomorrow, July 25th, University of Wisconsin professor emeritus Crawford Young will give a free public lecture at the Library of Congress on “The African Colonial State and the Encounter with Decolonization.” The lecture is sponsored by the Library of Congress John W. Kluge Center and the National History Center, and is part of the Center’s Second International Research Seminar on Decolonization (held from July 9-August 4).
Waskar Ari Finally Wins Visa - July 19, 2007
By Robert B. Townsend
After a two year struggle, Bolivian historian Waskar Ari finally gained a visa to teach at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. The history department at Nebraska led a vigorous effort to win the visa, even Read more...
James McPherson Awarded the First Pritzker Award - July 16, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Past AHA President and Civil War historian James McPherson has been awarded the first ever Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for lifetime achievement in military writing.
PhDinHistory is Back - July 11, 2007
By Robert B. Townsend
Happily, the PhDinHistory blog returned to the Internet last night at http://phdinhistory.blogspot.com/, as the previously anonymous author decided to make his identity public…
Nixon Library Tears Down Watergate Exhibit to Build Anew - July 09, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The Richard Nixon Library is going through changes. Timothy Naftali, the library’s first federally appointed director of just one year, is transforming the library from a privately owned facility that presented questionable history, to a recognized presidential library managed by the National Archives and Records Administration.
A Sudden End to PhDinHistory - July 08, 2007
By Robert B. Townsend
Sadly, the PhDinHistory blog closed its digital shutters and went offline over the weekend, apparently permanently. In its brief four months online, the site offered a rich array of insights into the graduate experience, as well as compelling analyses of data about the history profession and often biting critiques of the flaws and foibles of our profession.
Upcoming Public Lecture from the National History Center - July 05, 2007
This coming Tuesday, July 10th, the National History Center will be holding a free public lecture by William Roger Louis, Kerr Professor of English History and Culture at the University of Texas, on “The End of European Colonial Empires.” The talk will begin at 4 p.m. in Room 119 of the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.
CIA Releases "Family Jewels" on Agency Web Site - June 26, 2007
By Vernon Horn
As it promised last week, the CIA released yesterday a 702 page document known as the "family jewels." The document was created in 1973 in response to a directive from newly appointed Director of Central Intelligence James Schlesinger asking agents to report on any "activities they thought might be inconsistent with the Agency’s charter”.
CIA to Release Decades of Dirty Laundry - June 21, 2007
By Vernon Horn
Speaking at a meeting of The Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, Director of the CIA General Michael V. Hayden announced that next week the agency would release most of the so-called ”Family Jewels,” a 693-page set of documents compiled in 1973, when Director James R. Schlesinger asked employees to report on notorious operations they thought might be inconsistent with the agency’s charter.”
Overhaul at the Smithsonian - June 19, 2007
By Vernon Horn
The Smithsonian has announced the resignation of Sheila Burke who has been the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer since 2004.
AHA President Participates in Discussion on Visa Problems of Foreign Scholars - June 17, 2007
AHA President Barbara Weinstein recently participated in a live, online discussion about the difficulties experienced by foreign scholars seeking entry to the United States. Weinstein pointed to the various steps that the AHA and other academic organizations had taken in such individual cases as that of Waskar Ari (the Bolivian historian who could not take up a position at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln because his visa was cancelled by U.S. authorities), but declared that what was needed was more concerted, broad-based efforts by learned societies and college presidents.
Chicago Journals partners with American Historical Association to publish American Historical Review - June 17, 2007
The University of Chicago Press and the American Historical Association (AHA) are pleased to announce a new cooperative agreement to publish the American Historical Review. Since its inception in 1895, the American Historical Review has been the journal of record for the historical profession, maintaining and expanding its original breadth of coverage to include all fields of history. Read the full press release here.
National History Day Winners Announced - June 14, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
National History Day, which we reported on in a post last week, concluded bright and early yesterday with an awards ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Below are the junior high and senior high students who placed first in each category. Congratulations to all of these winners, but also to the 500,000 plus students from across the country who participated in this year’s competition. To see all the contest winners, visit the NHD 2007 winners page.
Archivist Discovers Long-lost Lincoln Letter - June 07, 2007
By Andrew Bell
“Wow!” That was archivist Trevor Plante’s initial reaction when it dawned on him that the faded, yellow letter in his hand had been written by the 16th President of the United States. Plante, a Civil War specialist at the National Archives and Records Administration, happened upon the note three weeks ago while sifting through a box of war-related documents. It was penned by Lincoln on July 7, 1863, and addressed to his general-in-chief, Henry Wager Halleck.
National History Day Contest Commences at the Univ. of Maryland this Weekend - June 06, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
This year’s National History Day Contest challenged students in grades 6-12 to create original papers, exhibits, documentaries, and performances around the theme of “Triumph & Tragedy in History”. More than half million students participated and those who progressed through the local and state levels of the contest arrive at the University of Maryland this Sunday, June 10th to compete at the national level.
AHA Council Supports Statement Against Detention of Scholars in Iran - June 04, 2007
By Robert B. Townsend
At its biennial meeting on Sunday June 3, the AHA Council
released a statement in support of the recent letter from the Middle East Studies Association on the detention of scholars in Iran (see the press room page on the AHA web site).
AHA Council Endorses NCHE Statement on Teacher Qualifications - June 04, 2007
By Robert B. Townsend
At its biennial meeting on Sunday June 3, the AHA Council endorsed the National Council for History Education’s Statement on Teacher Qualifications
National History Center Assembles Conference on “Reforming History Education” - June 03, 2007
By Miriam Hauss, Administrative Officer, National History Center
The National History Center will convene a day-long conference on reforms in history education policy on June 12th at the National Archives – the first, in what we hope will be a regular series of discussions on this important subject for our discipline.
Aperture Foundation Photograph Exhibits - May 29, 2007
By David Darlington
The Aperture Foundation is sponsoring several major photograph exhibits of interest to historians and patrons of the arts in the New York City area during the summer of 2007. Two of these exhibits, New York Rises and The Black Panthers: Making Sense of History, will start touring in the fall of 2007 and will run until 2011.
Upcoming Colloquium: “A Day With James McPherson” - May 28, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
James McPherson, respected Civil War historian and past AHA president, will partake in a daylong colloquium in Andover, Massachusetts on August 25th. Lawrence R. Velvel, Dean of the Massachusetts School of Law will lead the event, entitled “A Day With James McPherson: Interpretations Old and New,” with audience-based discussions focused around McPherson’s most recent book This Mighty Scourge
Upcoming Conference Focuses on Tribal Cultural Preservation - May 23, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
he 2007 National Conference of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums will take place this October 23-25 in downtown Oklahoma City. The theme this year is “Guardians of Language, Memory and Lifeways, ” with the conference logo featuring the Oklahoma State Capitol’s “The Guardian” statue. While the goal of the conference is to bring together American Indian librarians, historians, and tribal leaders, all who support tribal cultural preservation are welcome to join.
Holocaust Memorial Museum to Receive Electronic Documents from International Tracing Service Archives - May 22, 2007
By Vernon Horn
For 60 years the International Tracing Service (ITS), located in Bad Arolsen, Germany, has held the largest closed Holocaust archive of documents in the world. For most of its existence the archive has been accessible only to Holocaust victims’ family members while scholars were banned. But now, under the terms of a new treaty, the ITS will begin to distribute in electronic format some 13.5 million documents related to concentration camp records.
In Memoriam Eugen Weber, 1925–2007 - May 21, 2007
Eugen Weber, AHA life member and the recipient of the Association’s Award for Scholarly Distinction for 1999, died on Thursday, May 17, 2007, according to a press release from UCLA, where Weber was emeritus professor of history. He was 82.
"American Heritage" to Become History? - May 20, 2007
By Pillarisetti Sudhir
The April/May 2007 issue of American Heritage, that picturesque, literate doyen of popular history magazines, may be its last, at least until a new publisher willing to pay the bills comes along, according to a report in yesterday’s New York Times.
In Memory of Alfred D. Chandler Jr.: 1918-2007 - May 17, 2007
By Andrew Bell
Historian David Nasaw Honored at Weekend with History - May 16, 2007
By David Darlington
On April 27-28, 2007, the New-York Historical Society held its annual Weekend with History gala event. This two-day program of informal conversations and presentations featured some of America’s leading historians, like Eric Foner, Kenneth T. Jackson, and Sean Wilentz among others, as well as media figures like Cokie Roberts and Lesley Stahl. In a ceremony on the 27th, City University of New York Professor David Nasaw was named the society’s American Historian Laureate.
New Fund for Oral History of Physicists in Industry - May 15, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) has announced a new endowment designed to collect and preserve oral histories of those in the field of industrial physics. The Marc H. Brodsky Fund for Oral History of Physicists in Industry was made possible through a generous gift from Lois and Julian Brodsky Family, as well as further contributions from other donors. As the AIP newsletter explains, “This permanently restricted endowment will enable the American Institute of Physics, Center for History of Physics and Niels Bohr Library & Archives to interview several important industrial physicists each year, transcribe and preserve their oral histories, and make them available to researchers now and in the future.” The fund is also meant to honor Marc H. Brodsky, who served as the AIP’s Executive Director and CEO from 1993-2007.
Bolivian Historian One Step Closer to Obtaining a Visa - May 07, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The Chronicle’s News Blog reports that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved Bolivian historian Dr. Waskar Ari’s employment-visa petition, which the University of Nebraska at Lincoln filed for him nearly two years ago. But the work has just begun, since this approval “simply means that the historian, Waskar T. Ari, can now apply for a visa from the State Department to enter the United States.” This new development is a small victory, but offers a bit of hope for those who have been fighting for Ari since 2005.
The AHA Remembers: Robert M. Warner - May 03, 2007
By David Darlington
The AHA is saddened to report the death of Robert M. Warner on April 24, 2007, in Ann Arbour, Michigan, of a heart attack. Warner served as the sixth Archivist of the United States from July 1980 to April 15, 1985. During his term, Warner was instrumental in making the national archives an independent federal agency.
Promoting Progress: Register for this Interactive Workshop - May 02, 2007
The American Historical Association is pleased to announce the fifth in a series of workshops for department chairs, directors of graduate studies, and others interested in various aspects of graduate education. “Promoting Progress: An Interactive Workshop for Directors of Graduate Studies,” will take place on August 23, 2007, at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn in Virginia. The event will focus on the many crucial and complex challenges involved in ensuring successful and smooth progress of graduate students toward a degree.
New Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Include Historians - April 30, 2007
AHA members Isabel V. Hull (Cornell Univ.), Sabine G. MacCormack (Univ. of Notre Dame), Peter C. Perdue (MIT), and life member David J. Weber (Southern Methodist Univ.) are among the nine historians who were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which announced the class of 2007 fellows and honorary foreign members yesterday (April 30, 2007).
Bancroft Prize Winners Announced - April 24, 2007
By David Darlington
Jack Temple Kirby and Robert D. Richardson have won the prestigious Bancroft Prize for 2007.
The Library of Congress Joins the Blogosphere - April 24, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The Library of Congress announced Monday that in celebration of its 207th birthday on April 24th, it was launching the Library of Congress blog. Matt Raymond, the director of communications at the LOC, will be the main writer on the blog, but some posts will come from James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, along with other curators at the institution.
National Coalition for History Launches New Web Site - April 23, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The National Coalition for History (NCH), a non-profit organization that advocates for the history community, now has a new web site: http://historycoalition.org/ NCH’s new online home allows it to “bring you real-time access to news as it is made in Washington through our new blog postings on the website and an RSS feed.”
Library of Congress, PBS, and Ken Burns Team Up to Gather Oral Histories - April 18, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
In an April 17th press release, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project reported that it has teamed up with PBS and Ken Burns to promote a national effort to interview and record “first-hand recollections of the diverse men and women who served our nation during wartime”. The spark for this effort is Ken Burns’ upcoming documentary series on World War II, The War, scheduled to debut on September 23, 2007.
AHA Members among New Guggenheim Fellows - April 09, 2007
By Pillarisetti Sudhir
Sixteen AHA members are among the 189 artists, scholars, and scientists selected this year (out of 2,800 possible candidates) to receive the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowships.
Check out the Latest News from the National Coalition for History - April 08, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Lee White from the National Coalition for History posted the latest Washington Update last Friday, April 6. See the AHA blog for highlights.
Japanese History Texts Draw Fire from China and Korea - April 05, 2007
By Andrew Bell
A recent decision by Japan’s Education Ministry to soft-peddle the country’s role in World War II in seven of its newest high-school history textbooks has sparked outrage on the other side of the Sea of Japan.
Communist Party USA Donates Papers to NYU - April 03, 2007
By Vernon Horn
New York University’s Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives formally announced that it will acquire the papers of the Communist Party USA. Library Director Michael Nash termed the acquisition “one of the most exciting collecting opportunities that has ever presented itself here.” The collection is contained in 438 boxes and covers materials dating back to the party’s inception in 1919.
New Exhibit at the National Archives Explores the Early Education of Presidents - March 28, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Beginning this Friday, March 30th and extending through January 1, 2008, a new exhibit, “School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents,” will be on display at the National Archives Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery in Washington, D.C. “School House to White House” features the early education and experiences of presidents Herbert Hoover through George W. Bush, drawing display items from their presidential libraries. Visitors will find out Harry Truman’s middle school thoughts on “Courage,” will see Johnson and Carter’s report cards, and can read Richard Nixon’s 8th grade autobiography. These artifacts and more attempt to offer a glimpse into how these men developed into Presidents of the United States.
Major European Library Joins Google Book Search - March 27, 2007
By David Darlington
The Bavarian State Library, or Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, one of Europe’s most important and most visited research libraries, has joined Google’s ongoing efforts to digitize public domain books and make them fully available on Google Book Search.
Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence Small Resigns - March 25, 2007
By Vernon Horn
Lawrence M. Small, the head of the Smithsonian since 2000, has resigned. According to a press release on the Smithsonian web site, Small submitted his letter of resignation on Saturday and the Board of Regents met on Sunday and accepted it. Since January Small has been the subject of a string of articles in the Washington Post that have criticized his lavish lifestyle at the expense of taxpayers. Small also brokered an exclusive contract with Showtime Networks that can be used to exclude other filmmakers from using the Smithsonian’s collection.
Cristián Samper, currently the director of the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History, will be acting secretary while the Regents conduct a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence Small Pressured Inspector General to Call off Audit of his Expenses - March 21, 2007
A new report claims that Small tried to head off the audit by the inspector general.
Washington Update from NCH - March 18, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The most recent newsletter from the National Coalition for History (NCH) reports on a number of bills recently passed by the House, notes the continuing North vs. Smithsonian feud, and points out some articles of interest.
President Poised to Veto Presidential Records Act Bill - March 13, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Yesterday a Statement of Administrative Policy on H.R. 1255, was posted on the Office of Management and Budget web site. The statement asserts, “if H.R. 1255 were to be presented to the President, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.” H.R. 1255, also titled the “Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007”, would overturn President Bush’s 2001 Executive Order 13233 that allows presidents, vice presidents, former presidents, and even the families of former presidents to delay or withhold presidential records indefinitely.
Iraq War Resolution is Ratified by AHA Members - March 11, 2007
Members of the American Historical Association have ratified the “Resolution on United States Government Practices Inimical to the Values of the Historical Profession.” The vote was 1,550 (75.61%) in favor and 498 (24.29%) opposed. Two persons submitted incomplete ballots. The number of voting members represented 14.67% of the AHA membership.
Museum of the Confederacy May Secede from Richmond - March 07, 2007
By Andrew Bell
The Museum of the Confederacy, home to the world’s largest collection of Civil War artifacts, is weighing the possibility of severing its 117-year relationship with the city of Richmond, the former capital of the short-lived southern republic. In October, museum officials announced that they would entertain offers from other cities interested in hosting a proposed brand-new, multi-million dollar facility.
NCH Washington Update - March 06, 2007
By David Darlington
In the latest NCH Washington Update, Lee White keeps us abreast of the latest history goings-on in the nation’s capital. Some highlights include: News on the hearing on infamous Executive Order 13233, a brief story about Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), a report on a hearing about disclosing funding for presidential libraries, and more…
Historian Arthur Schlesinger jr. Dies at 89 - February 28, 2007
By Vernon Horn
Arthur M. Schlesinger jr., one of the most distinguished historians of the 20th and 21st centuries and a life member of the AHA, died of a heart attack last night in Manhattan. He was 89.
Member Survey about Resolution - February 28, 2007
On March 1 an electronic ballot was sent to members regarding ratification of the “Resolution on Government Practices Inimical to the Values of the Historical Profession” adopted at the 2007 Business Meeting.
The voting period is from March 1, 12:01 a.m. EST until March 9, 11:59 p.m. EST, and is limited to members in good standing as of February 13, 2007. If you have questions or need help, please contact the AHA’s survey vendor, Election Services Corp., by e-mail at ahahelp@electionservicescorp.com or call toll-free 866-720-4357 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.
The AHA Remembers: Frank M. Snowden, Jr. - February 28, 2007
By David Darlington
We are saddened to report the passing of Frank M. Snowden Jr., AHA member and authority of the lives of blacks in the ancient world, on February 18, 2007. Snowden was 95. A full In Memoriam essay for Snowden is being solicited for a future issue of Perspectives.
Smithsonian Spending Raises More Eyebrows - February 27, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
This weekend the Washington Post reported on a recent audit of Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence M. Small and its surprising results. The Post reports: “Lawrence M. Small, the top official at the Smithsonian Institution, accumulated nearly $90,000 in unauthorized expenses from 2000 to 2005…”
News from Washington, Brought to you by NCH - February 19, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
In the National Coalition for History’s (NCH) latest online newsletter, director Lee White reports on how the budget passed by Congress on February 14th provides good news for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and others. Also read about the web site, The Presidential Timeline of the Twentieth Century, created by the National Archives.
Members Invited to Discussion Forum on Resolution - February 14, 2007
On January 7, 2007 members of the AHA Council voted to accept the “Resolution on United States Government Practices Inimical to the Values of the Historical Profession,” which
was passed one day earlier at the annual AHA business meeting. Ultimately a majority of the Council agreed that it should accept the resolution but should also take the further step of requesting its ratification by a majority of members voting in an electronic ballot, which will take place March 1. For the next 15 days, from February 15-28, members are invited to participate in a discussion forum to comment on the resolution before the voting commences on March 1. To access the forum, login to membership services.
Oliver North becomes the First Victim of Smithsonian/Showtime Venture - February 14, 2007
By Vernon Horn
Oliver North, the nationally syndicated columnist, host of Fox News Channel’s “War Stories” and key participant in the Iran-Contra affair, has become the first known victim of what he termed the “secret, backroom deal” between the Smithsonian and Showtime. North explains that he was “commencing production of a documentary on nuclear weapons tentatively titled, ’From the Manhattan Project to Tehran‘ and wanted to ‘shoot’ a few minutes of videotape of the ‘Enola Gay,’ the B-29 bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb on 6 August 1945.” In his “Colonel’s Corner” column on the Fox News site, an appalled North reports that he learned that “though the institution purports to operate as a ‘public trust,’ it’s clear that the public can’t be trusted to know the terms of the cozy deal cooked up with Showtime.” The AHA has expressed its similar concerns about the Smithsonian/Showtime deal in prior blog posts here, here, and here. Welcome to the club Ollie.
Organization of American Historians to Host “Town Hall Meeting” on Public History - February 12, 2007
By Debbie Ann Doyle, Public History Coordinator
The Organization of American Historians (OAH) Committee on Public History has organized a town meeting to discuss the role of public history within the organization at the OAH’s centennial meeting in Minneapolis on March 29-April 1, 2007.
Drew Gilpin Faust Named President of Harvard University - February 11, 2007
By Vernon Horn
Harvard University announced Sunday that noted historian Drew Gilpen Faust is its new president. She is both the first female and first non-Harvard graduate to hold the post. Faust, a specialist in 19th century America, taught from 1975 to 2001 at the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2001 she has been the dean of Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Faust has also been a council member and vice president of the Professional Division of the American Historical Association.
Much of the information for this post was gleaned from the Harvard Crimson. Most of the February 9, 2007 edition is devoted to her appointment.
Profs Pan Plan for Bush Library - February 11, 2007
By Andrew Bell
A group of faculty members at Southern Methodist University is concerned that their school may be moving ahead too quickly with plans to build a multi-million dollar presidential library for George W. Bush. In December 65 professors signed a letter addressed to SMU President R. Gerald Turner requesting a moratorium and campus-wide debate on a project they say is premised on two competing, and ultimately irreconcilable, visions.
Want to Learn about Archival Research? - February 08, 2007
By David Darlington
The Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University invites PhD students working on dissertations involving archival research (particularly in newly accessible archives) in modern history and international relations to apply for its 5th Annual Summer Institute on Conducting Archival Research (SICAR). The summer institute will be held June 11–15, 2007, at George Washington in Washington, D.C.
NCHE Awards High School Teacher with the Paul Gagnon Prize - February 07, 2007
By David Darlington
The National Council for History Education (NCHE), an AHA affiliated society, just announced the winner of its first-ever Paul Gagnon Prize for a K-12 Teacher Exhibiting Exceptional Historical Scholarship. The 2007 award went to Philip Nicolosi, a history and social studies teacher at the West Morris Central High School in Chester, New Jersey.
Preserving the Past: The Digital Way - February 04, 2007
By Pillarisetti Sudhir
Sloan Foundation Gives $2 million to Library of Congress to Digitize Rare and Fragile Books. The project, “Digitizing American Imprints at the Library of Congress,” will include not only the scanning of volumes, but also the development of suitable scanning and display technologies.
Despite Objections, Smithsonian Networks Releases Lineup of Shows - January 31, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
Smithsonian Networks, the much-criticized Smithsonian/Showtime venture, has released a list of its initial line-up of shows, which begin in the spring. To see the whole list of shows, see the Showtime press release.
Board Meets to Discuss Declassification - January 29, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The National Coalition for History reports (in its January 27th newsletter) that the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met last week and heard frustrations about the current declassification process. One attendee, Meredith Fuchs, was quoted as saying the current declassification process is “subjective, expensive, and sometimes ridiculous.”
Wikipedia Banned by Middlebury College for History Students - January 25, 2007
By Vernon Horn
Students at Middlebury College will no longer be able to cite Wikipedia when writing history papers, according to an Inside Higher Education report. According to Don Wyatt, chair of the history department at Middlebury, “Even though Wikipedia may have some value, particularly from the value of leading students to citable sources, it is not itself an appropriate source for citation.”
Opportunity in Historic Preservation - January 23, 2007
By Debbie Ann Doyle
The National Trust for Historic Preservation invites historians to apply for a program intended to bring new perspectives on historical interpretation to National Trust historic sites. Teams of scholars will assess and enhance the interpretation of four historic sites to ensure that tours, exhibits, publications, school programs, and other educational activities incorporate diverse perspectives and current scholarship.
NCH Reports on Washington - January 18, 2007
By Elisabeth Grant
The National Coalition for History’s latest edition of its Washington Update is now online. Some highlights include news from the National Archives, details on grant opportunities, and a link to an article of interest.
NCH Highlights - December 10, 2006
By Elisabeth Grant
Highlights from the latest issue of the National Coalition for History’s Washington Update: (1) Battle to Keep EPA’s Libraries Open, (2) John Hope Franklin and Yu Ying-Shih receive Kluge Prize, (3) Report by the Advisory Committee for the Records of Congress, (4) Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation
Pearl Harbor – A Look Back on the Web - December 06, 2006
By Elisabeth Grant
Today, December 7th, in 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan. To remember and learn more about this hugely important event in US history, check out the sites below…
AHA at NCSS Conference - November 29, 2006
Visit the AHA’s booth, number 735, at the Annual Conference of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) this Friday and Saturday (December 1st and 2nd) from 9am to 4pm.
Richard W. Leopold, Past President of the OAH, Has Passed Away - November 28, 2006
By David Darlington
Richard William Leopold, a professor emeritus in American history from Northwestern University, and a life member of the AHA, died Thursday, November 23, 2006, in Evanston, Illinois.
CISH Deadline Extended - November 26, 2006
As noted in a blog post at the beginning of this month, the deadline for suggesting themes for the 21st international congress of the International Committee of Historical Sciences (known usually by its French acronym, CISH) has been extended to December 15, 2006, and is now rapidly approaching.
Wanted: Reviewers for the TAH Grant Competition - November 21, 2006
The US Department of Education is looking for qualified persons to serve as grant reviewers for the 2007 Teaching American History (TAH) grant competition.
John Hope Franklin Awarded Kluge Prize of $500,000 - November 16, 2006
By Elisabeth Grant
John Hope Franklin, emeritus professor of history at Duke University and past president of the AHA, has won the prestigious John W. Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the study of humanity.
And the Winners Are… - November 15, 2006
By Elisabeth Grant
The 2006 U.S. Professors of the Year state winners include three history professors.
University Presses Enter Blogosphere - November 12, 2006
By Elisabeth Grant
A number of University Presses have taken up blogs to distribute press releases, announce events, and keep readers in the know.
Bush Awards Historians - November 09, 2006
By Vernon Horn
Yesterday, President Bush awarded the 2006 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal Recipients.
Elections and Education - November 07, 2006
By Elisabeth Grant
Tuesday’s midterm elections have caused quite a political shift, but what does it all mean for education?
Proposals for CISH 2010 Themes - November 05, 2006
One of the major functions of the AHA’s Committee on International Historical Activities is to provide liaison between the historical profession in the United States and the International Committee of Historical Sciences (known by its French acronym CISH). CISH has begun to plan for its 21st international congress, to be held in Amsterdam in 2010.
Clifford Geertz, Anthropologist Extraordinary, Dies at 80 - November 02, 2006
To describe Clifford Geertz, professor emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, who died on Monday, October 30, 2006, at the age of 80, merely as an anthropologist, is like describing Leonardo da Vinci just as a painter.
NHC Congressional Events: Now Available in Podcast Form - November 01, 2006
By Elisabeth Grant
The National History Center’s series of Congressional Seminars are available to a much larger audience thanks to the web. The Center has been posting seminar papers and related resources for a number of years now, and just added its first podcast.
Research Associate Position at AHA - October 30, 2006
The American Historical Association is seeking a part-time Research Associate who can work 20 hours per week on projects for the AHA’s Research Division and assist with the administration of two small fellowships.
Lawrence W. Levine (1933–2006) - October 27, 2006
By Robert Townsend
The Association mourns the loss of Lawrence Levine, a great friend, teacher, and colleague, who died earlier this week after a yearlong battle with cancer.