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Articles Recently Featured from Our Archives
Antietam, America's Bloodiest Day | September 2022, Vol 67, No 4
In September 1862, the South hoped to end the war by invading Maryland just before the mid-term elections. But its hopes were dashed after the bloodiest day in American history.
Italia Crashes in the Arctic | September 2022, Vol 67, No 4
In 1928, an attempt to land the first men on the North Pole ended in tragedy when the airship Italia crashed, sparking the largest polar-rescue mission in history.
American Rebels at Sea | Summer 2022, Vol 67, No 3
An estimated 1500 privateering ships played a crucial role in winning the American Revolution, but their contributions are often forgotten.
The Black Woman Who Managed Morgan's Millions | Summer 2022, Vol 67, No 3
Born during Jim Crow, Belle da Costa Greene perfected the art of "passing" while working for one of the most powerful men in America.
When Abortion Roiled 19th Century New York | Summer 2022, Vol 67, No 3
Long before Roe vs. Wade, the practice of abortion led to fierce political conflict and public health problems in 1870s America.
Bob Dole and the Nazis’ Brutal Last Stand in Italy | Summer 2022, Vol 67, No 3
Allied soldiers struggled for months to clear veteran German troops dug into the mountains of northern Italy in late 1944 and early 1945.
Our Readers Choose: Favorite Books of 2021 | October 2022, Vol 67, No 5
Interestingly, most of the 2021 books voted best by readers of American Heritage are about the Colonial and Founding eras.
Can Russian Democracy Rise Again? | Spring 2022, Vol 67, No 2
The former foreign minister of Russia provides a unique look inside his country's leadership and reflects on the prospects for democracy there.
We Must Never Surrender | Spring 2022, Vol 67, No 2
For nearly three decades, the author has warned that, if we ignored Putin's ambitions, he would become a global problem.
“Times That Try Men’s Souls” | Spring 2022, Vol 67, No 2
The words of Thomas Paine changed the course of history, and are still relevant as Ukrainians fight for the rights he articulated.
Putin and the Lessons of History: A Special Section | Spring 2022, Vol 67, No 2
Vladimir Putin used historical references and a claim of fighting “fascism” to justify war on Ukraine, despite his own glaring Hitlerian behavior.
The Rise and Fall of the Bootleg King | Winter 2022, Vol 67, No 1
A whiskey baron who murdered his wife in a jealous rage, George Remus led a life that embodied both the opulence and violence of Prohibition.
Searching for “Shenandoah” | Winter 2022, Vol 67, No 1
It's one of the oldest folk ballads in our national songbook, but where did it come from? The answer is complex, multi-layered, American.
Recovery Efforts at American Heritage | November/December 2021, Vol 66, No 7
It was a challenging couple of months after the flood, but our office will soon be operational again.
Massacre at Fort Pillow | November/December 2021, Vol 66, No 7
The brutal murder of hundreds of African-American soldiers at Fort Pillow had a profound effect on Northern sentiment during and after the Civil War.
Ditching in the Stormy North Atlantic | November/December 2021, Vol 66, No 7
After three of his plane's engines flamed out, Captain John Murray was forced to land at night during a ferocious storm in the middle of the ocean.
Disaster Hits American Heritage | September/October 2021, Vol 66, No 6
Hurricane Ida flooded our office and caused enormous damage.
Lafayette: A Hero Among Heroes | Summer 2021, Vol 65, No 5
No figure in the Revolutionary era inspired as much affection and reverence as Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette
How We Exposed the Secret Pentagon Papers | Summer 2021, Vol 65, No 5
The New York Times reporter who spent months in hiding analyzing the Pentagon Papers remembers how they broke the story.
“Let’s Go,” Said Mrs. Graham. “Let’s Publish” | Summer 2021, Vol 65, No 5
After we published the Papers at the Washington Post, the Supreme Court decision in our favor has underpinned American freedom of the press.
“Catcher in the Rye” on D-Day | June 2021, Vol 66, No 4
J.D. Salinger carried a draft of his subsequently classic novel with him when he landed on the beach at Normandy.
Kamikazes Shock the Allies | Summer 2021, Vol 65, No 5
The “divine wind” began in October 1944 as the Japanese defended against MacArthur’s assault on the Philippines. The Americans who witnessed these first attacks were horrified and shaken, but it was only the beginning.
Revenge of the Nevada | June 2021, Vol 66, No 4
The recent discovery of the hull of the battleship Nevada recalls her dramatic action at Pearl Harbor and ultimate revenge on D-Day as the first ship to fire on the Nazis.
The Herndon Climb Honors Heroism During Shipwreck | June 2021, Vol 66, No 4
In an annual ritual, Naval Academy plebes must work together to climb a greased obelisk that honors the captain of the SS Central America.
Chief Seattle Speaks to the Ages | Spring 2021, Vol 66, No 3
A century and a half after his death, the Native American leader's vision of finding peace and prosperity in a divided country is more compelling than ever.
They Persisted for Suffrage | Winter 2022, Vol 67, No 1
The long, embattled history of women’s suffrage that began with the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention continues to this day.
B.B. Was the King of the Blues | Spring 2021, Vol 66, No 3
A longtime expert on blues music recounts what it was like to work with one of America's greatest musicians.
"Freedom is a Constant Struggle" | Spring 2021, Vol 66, No 3
The enduring legacy of the Civil Rights Movement lies not in soundbites from its most charismatic leaders, but in the impact it had on the lives of ordinary people.
James Monroe: The Last Founder | Spring 2021, Vol 66, No 3
The fifth president's policies helped create an “Era of Good Feelings,” a prosperous time never seen before or since in American history.
Ford's Pardon of Nixon | February/March 2021, Vol 66, No 2
Though he defended his decision as being in the nation's best interest, Ford's pardon of his predecessor may have contributed to his short-lived presidency.