American History Central has nearly 2,000 articles covering the history of the United States, ranging from the Colonial Era to the Gilded Age. We even have a few articles covering the early 20th Century. Here are the best — and most popular — entries in the Encyclopedia. Colonial America The Beaver Wars (1609–1701) were a … Read more
President Andrew Jackson (right) clashed with John C. Calhoun (top left), during the Nullification Crisis. Civil War was averted when Calhoun and Henry Clay (bottom left), agreed to the Compromise Tariff of 1833. The Nullification Crisis (1832–33) led to the Civil War by increasing tension between the North and South over economic policies and creating … Read more
Lee and Tarleton with the Widow White’s Tavern in the background. 247 years ago, on December 13, 1776, an unknown British dragoon named Banestre Tarleton captured General Charles Lee, a renowned American officer who was second-in-command to General George Washington, at the Widow White’s Tavern in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The following account of Lee’s … Read more
This portrait of George Washington was painted by John Trumbull c. 1792. It depicts Washington before the Battle of Trenton. Image Source: The Met. Before he crossed the Delaware River and attacked the Hessians at Trenton, George Washington was at a low point. The British had beaten him at almost every turn, forcing him to … Read more
The location of the Green River Rendezvous, as viewed from Trappers Point. Image Source: American History Central. For nearly 40 years, the Western Fur Trade played an important role in shaping the American West and opening the land west of the Rocky Mountains to Westward Expansion. One of the most important events associated with the … Read more
This illustration depicts the steeple of the Old South Meeting House circa 1900. Image Source: Library of Congress. 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, one of the most important events that took place during the American Revolution. Old South Meeting House in Boston, Massachusetts is famous for being the location where … Read more
This 1775 engraving, made by Amos Doolittle, depicts the Minutemen and Militia engaging the British at the North Bridge in Concord. Image Source: New York Public Library Digital Collections. The Massachusetts Minutemen are some of the most legendary figures of the American Revolutionary War. Initially established to prepare for war with Britain, they are most … Read more
This video from PBS American Experience depicts actor Roger Rees as William Bradford, reading one of Bradford’s most well-known passages, which includes the famous quote, “…they were but strangers and pilgrims on the Earth.” William Bradford was a Pilgrim Father and the second governor of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. Bradford is best known for … Read more
This illustration depicts Boone and his men cutting the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap. Image Source: National Archives. 10 Facts About Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Road This video from the Smithsonian Channel provides a short look at Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Road.
This historical marker in Delaware commemorates Antoni Swart. Image Source: Historical Marker Database. 10 Facts About Black Anthony and Slavery in New Sweden This presentation provides a detailed look at the life of Antoni Swart.
This illustration depicts the Baltimore Riot of 1861. Image Source: Library of Congress. The Pratt Street Riot of 1861 — also known as the Baltimore Riot — was a violent clash between Massachusetts troops traveling to Washington, D.C., and secessionists in Maryland. The riot led to the first bloodshed of the Civil War, as 12 … Read more
This illustration depicts President Lincoln consoling a young drummer boy who has been orphaned during the war. Image Source: Library of Congress. During the Civil War, drummers played a critical role in helping officers communicate with their men in battle. Each drummer was required to learn the necessary drum calls, which told the soldiers what … Read more
’49ers mining gold at El Dorado. Image Source: Library of Congress. The “Lost ‘49ers” refers to a group of pioneers who set out from Salt Lake City in October 1849, during the California Gold Rush. During their journey, they tried to take a shortcut, which took them through a desolate place they called “Death Valley.” … Read more
General Lee and General Grant salute each other following the negotiations. Image Source: Appomattox Court House, National Park Service, 2002, Archive.org. On Sunday, April 9, 1865 — Palm Sunday — Confederate forces under the command of General Robert E. Lee fought their last battle of the Civil War at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. It … Read more
President Abraham Lincoln. Image Source: Wikipedia. In April 1863, President Abraham Lincoln was apparently involved in a séance in the Red Room of the White House. During the séance, he was given advice from Henry Knox, the first Secretary of War, and Stephen Douglas, his political rival turned ally. Attending the séance with Lincoln was … Read more
General Stephen H. Weed (USA). Image Source: National Park Service. Stephen H. Weed was an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War, serving in Artillery Regiments. He was the Chief of Artillery for the Fifth Corps during the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Chancellorsville. As Union forces retreated from Chancellorsville, his … Read more
General James Longsreet (CSA). Image Source: Wikipedia. General James Longstreet commanded Confederate troops at the Battle of Gettysburg from July 1 to July 3, 1863. In the years following the battle and the Confederate loss in the war, Longstreet was criticized by his fellow officer, Jubal Early, and others who supported the idea of the … Read more
General Joe Hooker (USA). Image Source: Library of Congress. Following the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Confederate Army, under the command of Robert E. Lee, camped in and around Fredericksburg. Meanwhile, Union forces, under the command of General Joseph Hooker, camped on the other side of Rappahannock River, in and around Falmouth. As the winter of … Read more
Robert E. Lee. Image Source: Wikipedia. Perhaps no one person has been more polarizing in the legacy of the Civil War than General Robert E. Lee. When the Civil War started in April 1861, he was a respected officer in the United States Army. So respected, he was asked to lead the United States Army … Read more
John Burns with his gun and crutches in July 1863. Image Source: Library of Congress. On July 1, 1863, civilian John Burns joined Union soldiers and fought against the invading Confederate Army in the Battle of Gettysburg. Burns, a resident of the town, was a veteran of the War of 1812 and 69 years old. … Read more
