Here are recommended reads about the United States — perfect for the history buff on your gift list, or anyone looking to learn more about how the U.S got to where it is today.

Hämäläinen is Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University. His new book is Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America. He is also the author of The Comanche Empire, winner ...

Christmas trees—and conifers in general—have made some surprising cameos throughout U.S. history, author Trent Preszler ...

For more than two centuries, amendments have allowed our Constitution to grow with the country. The 13th Amendment, for instance put an end to slavery, while the 19th gave women the vote. It was ...

Parades, pageants, flag-waving and fireworks. These, plus a good dose of history, will all play a role in the United States Semiquincentennial celebrations leading up to and on July 4, 2026 — the ...

The fact that our country is divided isn’t new. In many respects, it can be traced back to the founding of a nation on the promise of freedom while dependent on slavery, a time when many couldn’t ...

A series of musical animations, chronicling diverse experiences of how race has helped shape American culture. These shorts provide insight into the unique lived experiences of historical figures who ...

Since the Fourth of July, (which I call Independence Day) is one of my favorite holidays, I was surprised to discover that many people don’t realize it’s considered America’s birthday. If you want to ...

In its 83-year history, a lot of people have wanted to shut down Voice of America. The U.S. government-funded broadcaster began during World War II, broadcasting in German to provide the German people ...

The famous painting by Grant Wood shows a farmer holding a pitchfork and a woman standing next to him. The earlier sketch is ...