American History

Explore the development of the United States with this collection of articles about American history. Topics in this section include the American Revolution, the gold rush and the expansion of the West.

Topics to Explore:

These 6 U.S. States Once Declared Themselves Independent Nations

Bacon's Rebellion: America's First Armed Insurrection

Why the Stamp Act Was Reviled in the American Colonies

Harpers Ferry Has a Complex and Dizzying History

The Racial History of the Term 'Grandfathered In'

19th-century Time Capsule Discovered Beneath Confederate Memorial

Which Native American Nations Are the 'Five Civilized Tribes'?

Conquistadors, Gold and Charlemagne: How California Got Its Name

How the Dawes Act Stole 90 Million Acres of Native American Land

5 Events in Black History You Never Learned in School

What Fueled the Famous Feud Between the Hatfields and McCoys?

What Was the Tulsa Race Massacre and Why Does it Still Haunt the City?

How the Truman Doctrine Changed American Foreign Policy Forever

Ridiculous History: H-Bombs in Space Caused Light Shows, and People Partied

How the Harlem Renaissance Sparked a New African American Identity

5 Causes of the Great Depression: Could It Happen Again?

What's Inside Mount Rushmore's Not-So-Secret Chamber?

The Strange Story of 'Killdozer' and the Man Behind It

Should U.S. Revive the 'Powell Doctrine' When Going to War?

Systemic Racism Is More Than Simple Prejudice

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Aug. 15: Woodstock

On August 15, 16 and 17, 1969, just a month after the famous moon landing of Apollo 11, nearly 500,000 people attended the Woodstock music festival.

By Marshall Brain

P.T. Barnum Begins Career as Showman

Most of us know P.T. Barnum because of the circus, but he was actually an important figure in American history. Learn how P.T. Barnum went from small-time entrepreneur to master showman and founder of the "Greatest Show on Earth."

By Marshall Brain

How the Watergate Scandal Worked

Five men were arrested at an office suite in the Watergate complex. Learn how the Watergate break-in eventually led to the impeachment and resignation of President Nixon.

By Marshall Brain

First Transcontinental Railroad Completed

The Transcontinental Railroad was a miracle of its time. Learn about the history of the Transcontinental Railroad and how the Transcontinental Railroad changed the country.

By Marshall Brain