Individuals can make a difference.
Federal, state, and local representatives rely on input from constituents to inform their decisionmaking. In many instances, they want to hear from you as they navigate the competing interests of different stakeholders. A clear, personal appeal from a constituent can call attention to the consequences of policy changes and even help tip the balance.
These guides are intended to help AHA members, and the public more broadly, advocate for history, the work of historians, and history education. More guides will be added soon.
Take Action for History
Preparing Your Message
While any communication with policymakers can be helpful, a personalized statement is often more effective than a form letter.
Supporting History at the Federal Level
Suggestions and tips for contacting your Congressional representatives.
Responding to Federal Regulations
When a federal agency proposes or announces a new regulation, it is published in the Federal Register. Learn how to submit comments responding to federal proposals.
Advocacy Guides
Advocacy Guide for International Education
For decades, federal educational and cultural exchange (ECE) programs—including the Fulbright, Title VI, and Fulbright-Hays—have provided invaluable opportunities for students, scholars, and educators in history and other disciplines.
AHA Resources
Resources for Foreign Scholars
Historical work is best done in a context of free exchange across the globe. Current conditions affecting foreign scholars and international travel can inhibit that free exchange. This document offers resources that might help individuals and departments navigate these difficult international situations, especially regarding travel and academic freedom.
Resources for Federal Historians
The American Historical Association supports historians employed by the federal government. We appreciate the important work they do every day to preserve, chronicle, and interpret American history. The AHA recognizes that our colleagues in the federal government are facing unprecedented workforce reductions and has compiled resources in support.
American Lesson Plan: Teaching US History in Secondary Schools
The AHA’s 2024 report shares findings from the most comprehensive study of secondary US history education undertaken in the 21st century. The report provides empirical evidence and rigorous analysis to inform current debates over how history is taught in our schools.
History, the Past, and Public Culture: Results from a National Survey
This project aspired to take America’s historical pulse by assessing public perceptions of, and engagement with, the discipline of history and the past.
Recent AHA Advocacy Actions
May 13, 2024
AHA Statement on 2024 Campus Protests
April 30, 2024
AHA Testimony on Maine Social Studies Standards Review
April 29, 2024