How the sewing machine transformed society
Learn how the invention of the sewing machine led to the evolution of the American mercantile economy into the age of industrial capitalism.
McCormick’s reaper revolutionized farming
Find out how Cyrus H. McCormick developed the reaper and revolutionized grain farming in the 1800s.
North Carolina settlers faced many challenges
Despite fertile land and navigable rivers, the North Carolina colony grew slowly. Hugh Earnhart explains the factors that contributed.
When Lincoln was thanked by Sojourner Truth
Learn more about the life and work of Sojourner Truth and the time she visited Abraham Lincoln to thank him for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.
Rushmore is the world’s largest sculpture
Hugh Earnhart digs into the history of Mount Rushmore. Learn how the idea began, the faces were chosen and the work was completed.
European immigrants got mixed welcome
The United States attracted many European immigrants during the decades of 1840 and 1850. Learn more about these large migrations and what caused them.
Louisiana Purchase was Jefferson’s shining star
Thomas Jefferson spearheaded the Louisiana Purchase agreement, which was signed May 2, 1803, and Louisiana was purchased for $15 million.
Corps of Discovery paved the way west
Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and the rest of the Corps of Discovery were the first white men to cross the western half of the U.S. in 1804.
Washington faced many obstacles in 1794
One of the most difficult obstacles facing George Washington's first administration was that of guaranteeing the loyalty of the West to the Union.
Mounting resentments paved road to Pearl Harbor
The origin of Japan's conflict with the U.S. stemmed from a belief that it had a spiritual right to become equal with the imperial powers of the world.
