The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

What is Plagiarism?

Classical Wisdom • 1552 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🚌 Education Academic Integrity Philosophy History
  1. Plagiarism is a serious issue in academia and has led to high-profile scandals.
  2. The concept of plagiarism has ancient roots, dating back to Roman times.
  3. The debate over plagiarism raises questions about originality and the balance between forming our own ideas and drawing inspiration from others.

Q&A: What Would You Do with $43 Million to Fight Racism?

Glenn Loury • 1845 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film History Racism Entertainment Social Issues
  1. The Center for Antiracist Research raised $43 million with little to show for it in terms of research on racism.
  2. One approach suggested to fight racism with $43 million was to start a center for the rigorous study of race in America with elite scholars and promising grad students.
  3. Another proposed idea was to use the money to fund a movie dramatizing the shift in black political thought in 1966, which would showcase how certain ideas contributed to present-day racial divisions.

The L.A. Fires Were Completely Preventable.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 48 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Society History Revolution
  1. The economic struggles of everyday Americans have been made worse by government and corporate actions that prioritize profit over people. Many feel trapped in a cycle of poverty and high expenses.
  2. There is a rising concern about historical injustices against Native American communities, with calls for more representation and acknowledgment of their struggles. Some believe that recent media portrayals are a way to distract from real issues.
  3. A revolution is seen as necessary by some to challenge the current systems that exploit and harm the public. There’s a belief that this moment could lead to significant change if people unite.

Inside Job: Secret Histories in the National Museum

Asimov Press • 186 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology History Research Environment Military
  1. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History holds millions of specimens, including a secret history of bioweapons experiments conducted by the U.S. military.
  2. Many animal specimens collected during military conflicts reveal connections between warfare and biological research programs, showing how these historical events influenced scientific endeavors.
  3. The presence of everyday specimens in the museum, like insects and rodents, can unveil hidden stories about government actions and ecological research, suggesting that even small details can have significant implications.

The Sense of an Ending.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 77 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Memories Time History Philosophy
  1. Our memories can differ from what actually happened. We often remember things differently than how we lived them.
  2. Time feels different depending on our emotions. A happy moment can make time fly, while a sad moment can make it crawl.
  3. As we age, we tend to view the past differently. We create stories about our lives that shape how we see ourselves and others.
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Sleep well my love

Letters of Note • 2299 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics War Love History LGBTQ+
  1. The love letter is a touching memory of two soldiers falling in love during WWII
  2. The letter captures beautiful moments shared between the two soldiers in North Africa
  3. The emotional parting and unfulfilled promise of reuniting paints a poignant picture

The stone walls of Ireland and human insight

The Leap • 299 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Art History Travel Philosophy
  1. The stone walls of Ireland reflect human creativity and resilience. They show how people adapt and use local materials to build something lasting.
  2. The idea of spontaneous human insight is important. Sometimes, communities naturally find solutions to problems without needing a formal process.
  3. Traveling can offer new perspectives. Exploring different places, like the hills of Ireland, can inspire deep thoughts and insights about life.

Inside my commonplace diary

Austin Kleon • 5155 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Philosophy History Personal Growth
  1. Keeping a commonplace diary is a fun way to collect quotes and thoughts. Instead of writing about daily life, you can enjoy capturing interesting things you hear or read.
  2. Over time, a commonplace diary can reveal themes and connections between quotes, making it a creative project. It can even help inspire new writing pieces or ideas.
  3. Writing things down by hand helps you remember them better, and it feels like a little adventure in time. Looking back at your quotes can bring back memories and show how your thoughts have grown.

January 19, 2025

Letters from an American • 40 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights History Social justice Leadership Activism
  1. Heroism isn't about being perfect or doing grand things; it's about regular people choosing to help others, even when it's hard.
  2. Great figures in history, like Martin Luther King Jr. and Anne Frank, acted bravely in dangerous situations without seeking fame.
  3. We still have heroes today who quietly do the right thing in their everyday lives, even if we don't always see them.

Migrants

backstory • 533 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🏝 Travel Migration Culture History Personal Stories
  1. Right-wing parties in Europe are gaining popularity by targeting immigrants. People are often divided on these issues, and it leads to a lot of tension.
  2. Traveling through Yemen can be an adventure filled with unexpected stories and characters. The locals have a rich history and love to share tales, but some things remain a mystery.
  3. Life in Yemen can be tough, with many people dealing with war-related injuries. Despite the struggles, there are moments of connection and humor among the people.

What Florida Is (and Isn't) Teaching Students about Slavery

Glenn Loury • 3551 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Slavery Criticism History Racism
  1. The Florida Board of Education's guidelines for teaching African American history include lessons on the Underground Railroad, slave rebellions, and the harsh realities of chattel slavery.
  2. The controversy on the Florida curriculum involves a debate between emphasizing victimization or acknowledging the agency of enslaved individuals.
  3. Some researchers argue that recognizing the agency of enslaved blacks does not downplay the inhumane aspects of slavery and can provide a more nuanced understanding of their experiences.

Brilliant Simplicity

David Friedman’s Substack • 242 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🚌 Education Economics Science Philosophy Mathematics History
  1. Brilliant individuals can contribute to knowledge in two main ways: through challenging, complex work and by highlighting simple ideas that others may overlook. Simple ideas often seem obvious once recognized.
  2. Examples like the median voter theorem and Coase's theories show how simple concepts can explain complex phenomena, such as election outcomes or the functioning of firms, making them essential in economics.
  3. Even in biology, like Darwin's theory of evolution, simple ideas can lead to significant insights, changing how we understand life and its development over time.

Party Animals

Mister Slang • 2378 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Comedy Entertainment Music History
  1. The 'party record' genre, featuring raunchy adult content, was popular in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
  2. Prominent entertainers in this genre included African American and Jewish comedians, who pushed boundaries with their humor.
  3. These comediennes were highly successful and played at top venues, challenging societal norms and providing a platform for risqué humor.

The Battle Between The Inner Life and The Outer Life

Sparks from Culture by David Roberts • 1179 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Economics Society Philosophy History
  1. Modern American capitalism has constrained many lives, leading to angst and a pursuit of more slow-paced lives.
  2. E.M. Forster's 'Howards End' explores the conflict between inner and outer ways of life, highlighting the impact of capitalism on personal relations and daily duties.
  3. There is resistance to hyper-capitalism in modern America, with a growing push for a slower life, nature, and emphasis on inner values.

London's First Vegetarian Restaurant

Londonist: Time Machine • 539 implied HN points • 01 May 24
🍲 Food & Drink Vegetarian Restaurant History London Diet
  1. London had its first vegetarian restaurant as early as 1879, way before the trend of vegetarianism became popular in the 1960s.
  2. The Alpha Food Reform Restaurant reflected eccentric health beliefs of its founders, Dr. Thomas Low Nichols and Mary Sargeant Gove Nichols, who also promoted questionable health practices like using water baths for curing diseases.
  3. The success of London's first vegetarian restaurant led to the rise of many more vegetarian restaurants across the city, marking the start of a sustained movement that continues today with a growing number of vegan and vegetarian eateries.

About Being of Two Minds

Technohumanism • 79 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Self-awareness Rationality Modernity History
  1. The shift from Fortune to Reason marks a big change in how people see themselves and the world. People started to believe they could improve themselves instead of just relying on luck.
  2. The rise of new ideas and technology during the Renaissance helped create this sense of self-awareness. It changed how people thought about their place in the world and their ability to impact it.
  3. Even with all the changes, many old ideas and beliefs still linger. Our present largely builds on the past, showing that even with progress, the past isn't completely gone.

Jerusalem in Paint

Cosmographia • 1118 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art History
  1. The post is about 'Jerusalem in Paint' and is a special guest edition by George Bothamley.
  2. George Bothamley writes about history's greatest artists and their masterpieces in his Art Every Day substack.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers, and there is a link to subscribe for more content from George Bothamley.

Rejected Cabinet Nominees

Thinking about... • 468 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government History Elections Policy Diplomacy
  1. Some cabinet nominees have been rejected by the Senate in the past, which shows that this is not a common but not unheard of process. It highlights the Senate's role in approving nominees through its 'advice and consent' power.
  2. There have been instances where nominees were found to have serious personal issues or lacked qualifications, leading to their withdrawal or rejection. This raises concerns about the suitability of some of today's nominees.
  3. The history of rejected nominees emphasizes the importance of maintaining standards for cabinet positions. Questions about past employment of undocumented workers should be a part of evaluating nominees, especially given current immigration policies.

The 50 Lost Waterways of Southwark

Londonist: Time Machine • 399 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History Events Mapping Design Photos
  1. Coloring historic maps can provide interesting insights into the past, revealing hidden details such as lost waterways.
  2. Peeling off the rivers and streams from an old map and pasting them onto a modern map can show the significant presence of water bodies in an area.
  3. Exploring old maps and overlaying them onto current maps can unveil historical features like rivers that have been lost over time.

All Immigrants Are Born on the Fourth of July

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5513 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History Immigration Citizenship Freedom
  1. American exceptionalism is real, unique, and tied to the country's history of freedom and individual freedom.
  2. Key historical figures like Washington, Lincoln, and MLK embodied American exceptionalism through their actions and beliefs.
  3. The American experience embraces freedom, innovation, and the pursuit of possibilities, shaping a sense of identity among immigrants and citizens.

NEW TV SHOW!!!

History, etc • 1434 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration TV Show Documentary History
  1. A new documentary about the Battle of Shrewsbury is available to watch now.
  2. Hosted by Dan Jones and Professor Michael Livingston, the documentary is on History Hit streaming platform.
  3. Viewers can sign up and get the first 14 days free to access this and other historical shows.

LECTURE NOTES: 1.1. What the History of Economic Growth Is

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 199 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🚌 Education Economics History Lectures Learning University
  1. Economic growth has a long history, with most of it being slow until a major change around 1870. Before then, people lived with little advancement in their living standards for centuries.
  2. Reliable data about economies was mostly unavailable before the 19th century. This makes it hard to understand past living conditions or wealth distribution.
  3. Many technological advancements didn't lead to better lives for common people until recently. Before 1870, despite progress, most still struggled with poverty and poor living conditions.

Cut-ups

Dada Drummer Almanach • 72 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎶 Music Genres Artists Composition History Influence
  1. Can was a unique rock band formed in 1968, made up of musicians with diverse backgrounds in classical music, jazz, and even astrology. They aimed to create spontaneous music that broke traditional boundaries.
  2. Their approach involved improvisation and experimentation, often pushing the limits of what rock music could be. This made their albums innovative and influential on many modern artists.
  3. One of the band's interesting practices was to leave their instruments recording in a room to capture unexpected sounds, showing their commitment to spontaneity and creativity in music.

The Curious Alleys Of Borough High Street

Londonist: Time Machine • 1078 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Exploration History Landmarks
  1. The post delves into the historic alleys off Borough High Street in London, revealing centuries of intriguing history.
  2. The author explores the unexpected discoveries made while investigating these alleys, such as Canterbury pilgrims and vanished coaching inns.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial to Londonist: Time Machine.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 32

Why is this interesting? • 120 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Restaurants Media History Social Trends Entertainment
  1. The Rainforest Cafe is still popular and has become a hit on social media despite being around for a long time.
  2. Two bank robbers in Pittsburgh attempted to hide from cameras using lemon juice, which didn't work out as planned.
  3. The launch of Pokemon Go caused a lot of paranoia in U.S. intelligence agencies, showing how digital games can have surprising effects on real-world concerns.

⬜ The importance of curation

One Thing • 1186 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Curation History Art Online Platforms Content creation
  1. Curation has a long history dating back to ancient Rome, starting as a way to manage aspects of city life and evolving into a responsibility of caretaking, on both a spiritual and physical level.
  2. The concept of curation has shifted over time, from being associated with museum stewards to being seen as a glamorous act online, where individuals are faced with curating their digital presence to navigate vast content.
  3. There's a call for more support for curation, emphasizing the importance of sustaining those who find and organize valuable content, moving beyond just paying creators for their work.

Book Announcement: "The Expedition to Khiva" by Maksud Alikhanov-Avarsky

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 11 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
📚 Literature Books Memoirs History Exploration Military
  1. The book 'The Expedition to Khiva' is a firsthand account of Russia's conquest of Khiva in 1873, providing both military details and adventure. It captures the journey across Central Asia, highlighting the culture and legends of the local people.
  2. Maksud Alikhanov-Avarsky, the author, offers unique insights because he spoke the local Turkic languages, allowing him to interact freely with Central Asians and report on their ways of life.
  3. Along with the text, the book includes a 15,000-word introduction with historical context about Khiva and Alikhanov's background, enhancing understanding of the expedition.

How to Steal From Homer

Classical Wisdom • 1198 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature History Language
  1. Plagiarism has a long history, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome.
  2. Plagiarism was taken seriously in ancient times, with accusations of stealing literary works.
  3. The concept of duplicative language being considered plagiarism was debated, with some arguing that great artists could get a free pass.

Northern Courage

Becoming Noble • 2132 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Faith & Spirituality History Art & Illustration
  1. Northern Courage is the concept of unyielding will and courage in the face of certain defeat, drawn from Norse mythology and Tolkien's works.
  2. Spengler's pessimistic view of history as a series of declines and falls contrasts with Tolkien's belief in a 'long defeat' with glimpses of final victory.
  3. Tolkien completes the virtue of Northern Courage with the idea of 'estel', a hopeful trust that stems from a deeper, transcendent belief, offering a path to heroic sacrifice without despair.

Here's to you, "Mrs. Robinson"

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 399 implied HN points • 16 May 24
🎭️ Culture Film Music History Art Social Issues
  1. The song 'Mrs. Robinson' from the movie 'The Graduate' became a cultural icon and reflected the generational divide of the 1960s. It showed the struggles of young people against their parents' expectations.
  2. Both the film and the soundtrack were huge successes, winning numerous awards and ranking high on various lists, highlighting the powerful impact of music in cinema.
  3. Paul Simon's creative process led to the song's development during filming, showcasing how spontaneous ideas can turn into timeless classics that resonate with many people.