Confronting a Pandemic: The AHA Supports Historians with the Help of NEH CARES Added February 16, 2021

AHA Sends Letter to SFSU President Regarding “Investigation” of History Professor (April 2023) Added April 27, 2023

The AHA has sent a letter to San Francisco State University president Lynn Mahoney expressing “deep concern” regarding the university’s “investigation” of Professor Maziar Behrooz for showing a drawing of the prophet Muhammad in his course on the history of the Islamic world between 500 and 1700. “Sanctioning Professor Behrooz for showing an image relevant to the course on grounds that it offended a student would constitute a serious breach of the professor’s academic freedom,” the AHA wrote. “Any attempts to ban the teaching of primary sources on the grounds that they offend religious sensibilities would mean that SFSU would be taking a position on a theological matter—one that is well beyond the purview of institutions of higher education.”

Teaching History with Integrity

Confronting Controversies about America’s Past The AHA, its members, and other historians find ourselves on the front lines of a conflict over America’s past, confronting opponents who are actively promoting ignorance in service of misleading notions of unity. Through Teaching History with Integrity, the AHA leads or participates in several initiatives to provide resources and support for history educators facing intensifying controversies about the teaching of the American past. Historians have a crucial role to play as participants in public deliberations about how to engage students in truthful and rigorous inquiry in history classrooms. For details about the status of divisive concepts legislation in the United States, see Education Week, Quorum, the American Association of University Professors, and the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.

AHA Vice President Named President of Howard University (May 2023) Added May 03, 2023

Congratulations to AHA Research Division vice president Ben Vinson III, who has been selected to serve as Howard University’s 18th president. Vinson is currently provost at Case Western Reserve University; he will replace current Howard president Wayne A.I. Frederick on September 1, 2023.

Hide the Key: Building a History Escape Room Added May 02, 2023

Townhouse Notes: Dreaming Cities Added April 04, 2023

The Slaughterhouse Accountant: Researching Death Added May 11, 2023

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Action Alert: Ohio Senate Hearing on SB 83 Added May 15, 2023

In April, the AHA sent a letter to members of the Ohio Senate registering “strong objection” to Ohio Senate Bill 83, which would “undermine the integrity of education in Ohio’s public universities.” The AHA urges members in Ohio to submit testimony to the Senate Workforce and Higher Education committee opposing SB 83. The bill will be heard, with a possible vote, on May 17 at 9:30 AM. 

AHA Member Spotlight: Chang-tai Hung Added May 16, 2023