‘The Most Entertaining Dead-Cat Bounce in History’

Sign up for The Decision, a newsletter featuring our 2024 election coverage. Not very long ago, the harshest thing Nikki Haley would say about Donald Trump was that “chaos follows him”—a sort of benign jab that creatively avoids causation and suggests mere correlation, like noting that scorched trees tend to appear after a forest fire. For most of the Republican-primary campaign to date, Haley adopted a carefully modulated approach toward the former president, and reserved most of her barbs for her other primary rivals. Her motto seemed to be “Speak…

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Tips for Approaching the True History of Thanksgiving With Your Family, Friends, and Kids

A parent and child talk on their living room couch. As Thanksgiving approaches, you may start hearing questions and commentary about the history of the holiday—especially from kids—that aren’t rooted in the facts. The often-told story of Thanksgiving is a myth of harmony and an erasure of the genocide that colonists committed against the Wampanoag Tribe in the 1600s. Thanksgiving became a celebrated holiday during the Civil War, likely as a tactic for Abraham Lincoln to unite the North against a common enemy—the South. Indigenous people acknowledge the holiday in…

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The Rich History of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month

Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM) is from September 15 to October 15. Dedicated to celebrating the culture and history of Latinx people in the United States, Congress implemented LHHM in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. The week was later expanded to a month in 1988. Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month offers us the opportunity to learn about, explore, and celebrate the incredible influence Latinx people have had on the United States for generations.  You may be wondering why the celebration begins in the middle of September, and the reason…

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A Hysterical Hit Job on Florida’s History Standards

As someone who has taught American history in a Florida school, I’ve followed with particular interest the controversy over the state’s curriculum regarding the so-called “benefits” of slavery. The way this issue has been demagogued is nothing short of outrageous. Florida officials last year created a working group “to review the state’s education standards relating to African American history.” The working group’s members were recruited based on expertise in teaching K-12 history, particularly black history, in Florida. There were no political, ideological or identity group requirements. Six of the 13…

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Exploring the Rich History of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

  A month isn’t enough to cover the history and impact of the millions of people who identify as AAPI. There are 20.6 million people in the U.S. who identify as AAPI—over 6% of the total population, and their cultures, contributions, and challenges deserve to be recognized.  What is AAPI Heritage Month? Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (or AAPI Heritage Month) celebrates people in the United States who are of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian descent.  The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including…

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