American History Archives

Was a Violently Racist Carnival Game Once Popular in America?

In the not-so-distant past, white carnival goers threw eggs or balls at African Americans in...

Are These ‘Coincidences’ Linking Lincoln to Kennedy Real?

Numerous 'coincidences' between the Lincoln and Kennedy assassinations are not really so amazing.

Were ‘Highway Closed in Event of Enemy Attack’ Signs Posted During the Cold War?

Early 1950s efforts to prepare Americans for nuclear war included the erection of signs giving...

The Price They Paid

A popular essay outlines the fates of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, but...

Were There Irish Slaves in America, Too?

Questionable sources maintain that the plight of so-called "Irish slaves" in early America was worse...

Did George Washington Have Wooden Teeth?

We cannot tell a lie: George Washington's false teeth weren't made out of wood, though...

Native American Student Punished for Refusing to Say Pledge of Allegiance

Leilani Thomas said her teacher docked her grades because she refuses to participate in the...

Cocktails Came Out of Prohibition?

A long-running claim that cocktails were an entirely American invention appears to be something of...

George Washington’s Vision

Did George Washington tell of an angel who revealed a prophetic vision of America to...

John Hancock on His Declaration of Independence Signature

Did John Hancock say this when he signed the Declaration of Independence?

The Wilson Desk President Richard M. Nixon used the wrong 'Wilson desk' in the White House.

Are John Tyler’s Grandchildren Still Alive?

John Tyler might not be remembered much at all today were it not for a...