Books and Ideas

Delegates sign the UN Charter

June 26, 1945: The United Nations Charter Is Signed in San Francisco June 26, 1945: The United Nations Charter Is Signed in San Francisco

"What the people of the world profoundly desire is something which will not mirror their conflicts but resolve them, which will dispel their fears and satisfy their hopes."

Jun 26, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

Confederate Flag

The Historical Roots of Dylann Roof’s Racism The Historical Roots of Dylann Roof’s Racism

South Carolina’s warped public display of its white-supremacist history confronts South Carolinians, white and black, with a stark message about who rules the state.

Jun 25, 2015 / Eric Foner

Battle of Little Bighorn

June 25, 1876: In the Battle of Little Bighorn, Custer Makes His Last Stand June 25, 1876: In the Battle of Little Bighorn, Custer Makes His Last Stand

"Who shall blame the Sioux for defending themselves, their wives and children, when attacked in their own encampment and threatened with destruction?"

Jun 25, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

Iraqi army vehicle

Washington’s Strategy in Iraq Has Failed Washington’s Strategy in Iraq Has Failed

Why Iraq remains a quagmire after decades of intervention, trillions of dollars, the full weight of American military power, and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

Jun 25, 2015 / Peter Van Buren

The Berlin Blockade of 1948

June 24, 1948: The Soviet Union Begins a Blockade of West Berlin June 24, 1948: The Soviet Union Begins a Blockade of West Berlin

"Matters have been allowed to go so far that a mere truce seems to be ruled out."

Jun 24, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

‘Orange Is the New Black’ Is Dead Wrong About Disability

‘Orange Is the New Black’ Is Dead Wrong About Disability ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Is Dead Wrong About Disability

Media portrayals that reinforce negative stereotypes about social programs and the individuals helped by them sow the seeds for damaging cuts.

Jun 24, 2015 / Rebecca Vallas

Jeb Bush

No Matter Who Wins, 2016 Will Be All About the Bankers No Matter Who Wins, 2016 Will Be All About the Bankers

Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton will face off in the presidential race—but the real battle will be between the billionaires backing them.

Jun 24, 2015 / Nomi Prins

Congressional Democrats Introduce Ambitious New Bill to Restore the Voting Rights Act

Congressional Democrats Introduce Ambitious New Bill to Restore the Voting Rights Act Congressional Democrats Introduce Ambitious New Bill to Restore the Voting Rights Act

Two years ago, the Supreme Court gutted the VRA. Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressman John Lewis have a plan to fix that.

Jun 24, 2015 / Ari Berman

Veto the Hartley-Taft labor bill

June 23, 1947: Congress Overrides Truman’s Veto of the Taft-Hartley Labor Management Relations Act June 23, 1947: Congress Overrides Truman’s Veto of the Taft-Hartley Labor Management Relations Act

“A bad bill has become bad law.”

Jun 23, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

Blackness as Being, Whiteness as Nothingness

Blackness as Being, Whiteness as Nothingness Blackness as Being, Whiteness as Nothingness

Nell Painter and Herman Melville on American racism as existentialism.

Jun 23, 2015 / Greg Grandin

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