Registration is open for #AHA27! The conference, which will take place in New Orleans on January 7–10, 2027, includes over 490 sessions and events.

Annual Meeting - AHA

Welcome to the Annual Meeting Join Us in New Orleans! Housing is now open! Since 1884, the American Historical Association annual meeting has been the premier gathering for historians to come together...

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Behind the scenes at the DAR Museum! Last week, current and former AHA staff came out to support executive director Sarah Jones Weicksel at a talk for her new book, A Nation Unraveled: Clothing, Culture, and Violence in the American Civil War Era (UNC Press).

The AHA’s Careers for History Majors booklet provides data about the professional prospects of history majors, practical advice about jobs and employment, & essays on how studying history prepares students for a range of exciting and fulfilling career paths. Recruit and engage history majors today!

Careers for History Majors - AHA

Studying History Can Enrich Our Lives The Value of a History Degree With clear data and informal prose, Careers for History Majors equips readers with data, practical advice, specific strategies, and ...

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“Dazzling” – early modern historian of religion, emotions, and monsters Jenny Spinks reviews HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY ( @ucpress.bsky.social ) in the American Historical Review! @historians.org 💙📚 🗃 #ancient #medieval #earlymodern #histsci #histmed #18thCentury #politics #HAMH

Surekha Davies. Humans: A Monstrous History

Surekha Davies declares that “[m]onsters are category problems that have to be defanged” (67) in her dazzling new book Humans: A Monstrous History. This po

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Starting graduate school in history? Join our free online orientation on October 13 at 2 p.m. ET to learn how the historical discipline works, where historical scholarship happens, and how to make the most of graduate school. Register now:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Welcome, Historians: An AHA Orientation for New MA & PhD Students. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

This October, the American Historical Association will welcome new history graduate students to the history community with a free online orientation to the historical discipline. We’ll explore how th...

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Action Alert: The Department of Education has proposed changes to higher education accreditation that could weaken scholarly standards, treat ideological diversity as a measure of educational quality, and undervalue faculty expertise. Submit a public comment by Sept. 21. 🗃️

Action Alert: Tell the Department of Education: Protect Academic Accreditation

The Department of Education has proposed an overhaul of the accreditation system for higher education in the Federal Register: Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary’s Recognition...

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We ended up using it for the #AHAPerspectives September issue cover! Issue should be arriving in your mailbox now, and we'll be rolling out the articles online over the next month or so. Enjoy!

September 2026

Read the September issue of Perspectives on History.

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Laura Ansley@lmansley.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today I learned there is a photo at the Library of Congress in which Houdini is sitting chatting with a ghostly image of Lincoln. Amazing image. Using it for a magazine article.

“Historians do not distort evidence. We do not fabricate evidence. We do not ignore evidence. We practice our craft with great integrity. By preserving the Smithsonian’s independence, we—all of us—preserve Americans’ trust in its exhibitions, programs, educational materials, and research.”

American Historical Association@historians.org · 5d ago

Today, AHA executive director Sarah Weicksel joined members of Congress at the Capitol to announce the Smithsonian Integrity and Historical Independence Act of 2026. Read more about today’s press conference here: www.historians.org/news/aha-exe...

How can introductory history courses support student success? We'll discuss this and other questions about student learning in Texas at our 12th Texas Conference on Introductory History Courses, Sept. 25–26, at St. Edward's University.

2026 Texas Conference on Introductory History Courses

The 2026 Texas Conference on Introductory History Courses will take place Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 at St. Edwards University in Austin.

historians.org

Today, AHA executive director Sarah Weicksel joined members of Congress at the Capitol to announce the Smithsonian Integrity and Historical Independence Act of 2026. Read more about today’s press conference here: www.historians.org/news/aha-exe...

When the science is on earthquakes, you have to be where the earth shakes! For the #histsci fans out there: Cristián Castro shares the story of how Chile, Japan, and the United States became the center of seismology. 🗃️

Seismic Pacific – AHA

Over the course of the 20th century, the Pacific Rim, long treated as peripheral, became central to the production of earthquake knowledge.

historians.org

The Pacific Rim became a center of modern seismology in part because its frequent, powerful earthquakes gave scientists an extraordinary opportunity to study them. In #AHAPerspectives, Cristián Castro explores how earthquakes reshaped the geography of scientific knowledge.

Seismic Pacific – AHA

Over the course of the 20th century, the Pacific Rim, long treated as peripheral, became central to the production of earthquake knowledge.

historians.org

Are people who are interested in history more likely to contact an elected official? A national AHA/Fairleigh Dickinson University survey examined how interest in the past relates to civic engagement. Check out the results:

10. Is There a Link between Historical Outlooks and Civic Engagement? - AHA

Summary: The public has various reasons for taking interest in history. In correlating those interests with a selection of civic activities, we found minor effects. Stronger factors in whether respond...

historians.org

The nation’s largest gathering of historians is heading to New Orleans! 🎉 The #AHA27 program is now online, featuring 490+ sessions and events on research, teaching, professional development, public engagement, and more. Join us January 7–10, 2027:

Program - AHA

Programs At the annual meeting, historians explore new approaches to research, teaching, public engagement, professional development, and more. Explore the schedule and plan your meeting experience us...

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History provides critical context for understanding presidential power. In this 2017 AHA program, historians shared perspectives on executive orders directly with elected officials & congressional staff, examining major presidential directives of the past 80 years and their role in shaping policy.

Origins of Executive Orders

Professors spoke about the history and effectiveness of executive orders. They discussed the major orders presidents have created in the last 80 years and explained how presidential directives and other actions also guide the executive branch's policies...

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Consultants, software developers, fundraisers, soldiers, human rights commissioners: read how history graduates say their degrees helped them in a variety of careers.

In Their Own Words: Testimonials from History Majors | American Historical Association

The history major provides both a stepping stone towards dynamic careers in many industries and preparation for ongoing contribution to civic life.

historians.org

Book your housing for #AHA27 in New Orleans in January! Reserve in the AHA hotel block before registering for the meeting to receive a $50 discount on your registration fee.

Housing - AHA

Housing Book Housing The 2027 annual meeting will be held at the New Orleans Marriott (hdqrs.), 555 Canal St., and the Sheraton New Orleans, 500 Canal St., from January 7-10, 2027. Rooms will also be ...

historians.org

After four seasons, History in Focus is taking a pause. In this special coda episode, Daniel Story looks back at the podcast’s journey and its collaborations. Thank you, @danieljstory.bsky.social, for four seasons of thoughtful, creative storytelling and for all you’ve brought to History in Focus!

History in Focus Coda

In this special coda episode of History in Focus, Daniel says farewell, and looks back at four seasons of episodes and podcast collaborations.

historians.org

What can a seized gold necklace tell us about women’s economic independence in Senegal? In #AHAPerspectives, summer columnist Becca Aponte traces how a dispute in colonial Senegal reveals the ways jewelry served as collateral, personal credit, and a marker of women’s social and economic status.

Small Property, Big Meanings – AHA

A dispute over 11 francs and a stolen gold necklace in 1906 offers a vital insight into the economic world women in Senegal created for themselves.

historians.org

Who doesn’t love some good old drama in the court records?! Thank you #AHAPerspectives for having me and sharing this work on ordinary women’s wearable wealth in colonial Senegal!

Laura Ansley@lmansley.bsky.social · last wk.

In her second #AHAPerspectives column, @baponte.bsky.social shares a story about a stolen necklace, attempted stabbing, arrest, and trial in 1906 Senegal that illuminates the intersections of capitalism and women's history. 🗃️

Looking for classroom resources for courses in African American history? Check out videos from The Future of the African American Past, a landmark 2016 conference co-hosted by the AHA & the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture that brought together 60+ scholars.

The Future of the African American Past – AHA

The AHA and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture co-hosted The Future of the African American Past, a landmark conference to celebrate the opening of the NMAAHC.

historians.org

Looking for a historian for your conference panel or to compare research notes? The AHA’s Directory of History Departments and Organizations lets you search nearly 16,000 historians by specialization, academic rank/category, and more.

Five years ago,Trevor Getz & Steve Harris did an #AHAPerspectives article about the History for the 21st Century initiative. Now, Jesse Spohnholz, Brenna Miller, Eric Nelson, Alex Honold, & Trevor Getz have returned with an update on the impressive teaching materials they have created. 🗃️

Collaborating on the Intro Course, Five Years Later – AHA

Five years ago, History for the 21st Century set out to help fellow faculty rethink introductory courses through student-centered, inquiry-based learning. Now, they're sharing the classroom modules cr...

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When Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey came out this summer, many criticized its historical inaccuracies. In #AHAPerspectives, AHA president Suzanne Marchand recalls the same criticisms directed at an ancestral form of historical communication: history painting.

On History Painting and the Movies – AHA

Long before historical films like The Odyssey entered the conversation, history painters were depicting the past for contemporary audiences.

historians.org

Upon the announcement of his upcoming retirement, the AHA congratulates Lonnie Bunch on his extraordinary tenure as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and his long career championing the importance of history in American life.

“Working collectively to establish a union showed me concrete ways to move forward.” This Labor Day, we’re revisiting Alexandra J. Finley’s 2022 #AHAPerspectives piece on joining the effort to organize a faculty union at the University of Pittsburgh.

Joining the Chorus

When she joined the union organizing committee at her university, Alexandra J. Finley found solidarity, camaraderie, and power as a faculty member.

historians.org

Remember your favorite day of US history class? K–12 teachers have their favorites too. Check in with the AHA’s American Lesson Plan to see what teachers love to teach, what they find challenging, and what they want their students to walk away with.

American Lesson Plan, Part 4: Curricular Content

A nine-state examination of topics and themes in US history classes, including Native American history; the Founding Era; Westward Expansion; Slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction; Industry, Capi...

historians.org

As sanctions continue to shape international relations today, history can provide critical context. This AHA program, presented to elected officials and congressional staff on Capitol Hill in 2024, offers historical perspectives on the role and impact of sanctions. Watch the recording:

AHA Congressional Briefing: Historical Perspectives on Sanctions

AHA Congressional Briefing | February 6, 2024 On February 6, 2024, the American Historical Association hosted a Congressional Briefing offering historical perspectives on the role and impact of sanctions as an instrument of international relations. Pan...

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More than 100 members of Congress signed an amicus brief supporting our PRA lawsuit alongside @historians.org against the Trump administration. A separate amicus brief featured John Brennan, Gen. Michael Hayden, Susan Rice, James Clapper, Avril Haines, and other former natsec officials.

American Oversight@americanoversight.org · 4w ago

NEW: 106 members of Congress, 25 former senior national security officials, and seven U.S. archivists filed amicus briefs backing us in our fight to stop the Trump administration from evading the Presidential Records Act. americanoversight.org/presidential...

The AHA’s fight to preserve presidential records has powerful support. This week, 106 members of Congress, 25 former national security officials, & 7 former National Archives leaders filed amicus briefs backing our lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from evading the Presidential Records Act.