Today’s What We’re Reading features a new visualization of the spread of slavery, the Santa Maria found (?), why your microfilm reader might actually be making you sick, a new model for open access, and much more!

History in the News

The Spread of U.S. Slavery, 1790-1860

Historian Lincoln Mullen has created a visualization that charts the growth and migration of slavery in America.

“The Book of Miracles”

Made in 16th-century Augsburg, The Book of Miracles contains an illustration of Moses parting the Red Sea, with horns on his head. A comet in another illustration represents the birth of Muhammad.

Wreckage of Christopher Columbus’ Santa Maria Found Off Haitian Coast (Maybe)

Archaeologists believe they may have found the wreck of the ship that sank in 1492.

Methodology and Teaching

“Microfilm Makes Me Sick!”

Historians who have ever felt queasy while skimming through microfilm will be relieved to know that microfilm sickness is not all in their heads.

Fall Graduate Course from National History Day

National History Day recently announced it will be offering graduate coursework for teachers for the first time, via online courses on varying pedagogical strategies.

Publishing

University Presses under Fire

A considered account in The Nation of the challenges posed by decreasing monograph sales and digital publishing demands that are squeezing university presses.

Sustaining Open Access

Carl Straumsheim for Inside Higher Ed discusses the white paper that was recently released by K|N Consultants, proposing a new model for open access publishing for the humanities and social sciences.

This post first appeared on AHA Today.