Cory Haala
@coryhaala.bsky.social
Views mine, not my employer's (obviously). Historian of liberalism, populism, the Democratic Party, and the Midwest: http://coryhaala.org
Pinned
When Democrats Won the Heartland
www.press.uillinois.edu
And just like that, it's real.
When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992, from @illinoispress.bsky.social. Due out 4/14/26.
Thanks to everyone who tolerated this dream and made it happen. Pre-order if you'd like: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992, from @illinoispress.bsky.social. Due out 4/14/26.
Thanks to everyone who tolerated this dream and made it happen. Pre-order if you'd like: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
also just generally begging "midwestern studies" to include one image that includes, y'know, a city instead of another barn
It's funny, because I THOUGHT there was a group called the Midwestern History Association that's been around for a decade doing exactly this. So I'm really curious as to why a recent winner of the organization's lifetime achievement award is pulling this.
November 11, 2025 at 4:14 AM
also just generally begging "midwestern studies" to include one image that includes, y'know, a city instead of another barn
It's funny, because I THOUGHT there was a group called the Midwestern History Association that's been around for a decade doing exactly this. So I'm really curious as to why a recent winner of the organization's lifetime achievement award is pulling this.
November 11, 2025 at 4:13 AM
It's funny, because I THOUGHT there was a group called the Midwestern History Association that's been around for a decade doing exactly this. So I'm really curious as to why a recent winner of the organization's lifetime achievement award is pulling this.
Reposted by Cory Haala
He’s a West Ham fan, so he’s not smart about everything, but he knows Midwestern history. Give him a preorder!
And just like that, it's real.
When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992, from @illinoispress.bsky.social. Due out 4/14/26.
Thanks to everyone who tolerated this dream and made it happen. Pre-order if you'd like: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992, from @illinoispress.bsky.social. Due out 4/14/26.
Thanks to everyone who tolerated this dream and made it happen. Pre-order if you'd like: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
When Democrats Won the Heartland
www.press.uillinois.edu
November 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
He’s a West Ham fan, so he’s not smart about everything, but he knows Midwestern history. Give him a preorder!
And just like that, it's real.
When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992, from @illinoispress.bsky.social. Due out 4/14/26.
Thanks to everyone who tolerated this dream and made it happen. Pre-order if you'd like: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992, from @illinoispress.bsky.social. Due out 4/14/26.
Thanks to everyone who tolerated this dream and made it happen. Pre-order if you'd like: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
When Democrats Won the Heartland
www.press.uillinois.edu
November 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
And just like that, it's real.
When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992, from @illinoispress.bsky.social. Due out 4/14/26.
Thanks to everyone who tolerated this dream and made it happen. Pre-order if you'd like: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992, from @illinoispress.bsky.social. Due out 4/14/26.
Thanks to everyone who tolerated this dream and made it happen. Pre-order if you'd like: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
Iconic, and yet "the Mike Kafka game" for me will always been when I was an HS senior in Minnesota, sure I wanted to go to Northwestern, and then Kafka did this to the Gophers in the funniest-ever montage of a tall, bald giraffe just ambling all over an inept Minnesota defense.
November 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Iconic, and yet "the Mike Kafka game" for me will always been when I was an HS senior in Minnesota, sure I wanted to go to Northwestern, and then Kafka did this to the Gophers in the funniest-ever montage of a tall, bald giraffe just ambling all over an inept Minnesota defense.
Reposted by Cory Haala
Reminder: CfP active for next year's Midwestern History Conference hosted by Miami University of Ohio from April 30-May 1. Deadline for submissions is December 8. This thread contains more information that may help those who are thinking of but have not yet submitted a proposal. 1/x
2026 Conference — Midwestern History Association
www.midwesternhistory.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reminder: CfP active for next year's Midwestern History Conference hosted by Miami University of Ohio from April 30-May 1. Deadline for submissions is December 8. This thread contains more information that may help those who are thinking of but have not yet submitted a proposal. 1/x
Index your own book, they said. You'll learn SO MUCH about your argument, they said. It'll save you so much money, they said.
I mean, were they right? Sure.
Was it worth it? [/looks at 3:02am email to press, bags under my eyes]
JURY STILL VERY MUCH OUT
I mean, were they right? Sure.
Was it worth it? [/looks at 3:02am email to press, bags under my eyes]
JURY STILL VERY MUCH OUT
November 10, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Index your own book, they said. You'll learn SO MUCH about your argument, they said. It'll save you so much money, they said.
I mean, were they right? Sure.
Was it worth it? [/looks at 3:02am email to press, bags under my eyes]
JURY STILL VERY MUCH OUT
I mean, were they right? Sure.
Was it worth it? [/looks at 3:02am email to press, bags under my eyes]
JURY STILL VERY MUCH OUT
Proud that I've had dozens of students submit projects that have been published by @livingnewdeal.bsky.social. It's such a great teaching tool and community resource.
Do I! I bust this out on every family road trip, for enrichment: livingnewdeal.org/map/
The New Deal Map
livingnewdeal.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Proud that I've had dozens of students submit projects that have been published by @livingnewdeal.bsky.social. It's such a great teaching tool and community resource.
let me tell you about my summer 2025 and #newdealminneapolis, because i got some random ass local bridges for you
November 7, 2025 at 8:59 PM
let me tell you about my summer 2025 and #newdealminneapolis, because i got some random ass local bridges for you
To be clear, the last time it was possible for me to do this was 1991.
I wonder what it's like to watch your favorite team in a World Series.
Or a Super Bowl.
Or the NBA Finals.
Or the NHL Finals.
Or a Super Bowl.
Or the NBA Finals.
Or the NHL Finals.
November 2, 2025 at 4:38 AM
To be clear, the last time it was possible for me to do this was 1991.
I wonder what it's like to watch your favorite team in a World Series.
Or a Super Bowl.
Or the NBA Finals.
Or the NHL Finals.
Or a Super Bowl.
Or the NBA Finals.
Or the NHL Finals.
November 2, 2025 at 4:14 AM
I wonder what it's like to watch your favorite team in a World Series.
Or a Super Bowl.
Or the NBA Finals.
Or the NHL Finals.
Or a Super Bowl.
Or the NBA Finals.
Or the NHL Finals.
Got cover art today. Still working some stuff out, but starting to feel uncomfortably real.
"When Democrats Won the Heartland: Progressive Populism in the Age of Reagan, 1978-1992," official publication date with @illinoispress.bsky.social: May 12, 2026.
Sorry to be that self-promoting guy, but it's...y'know...right in the title.
Sorry to be that self-promoting guy, but it's...y'know...right in the title.
October 28, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Got cover art today. Still working some stuff out, but starting to feel uncomfortably real.
23 years ago today.
It remains true: We all do better when we all do better.
It remains true: We all do better when we all do better.
October 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
23 years ago today.
It remains true: We all do better when we all do better.
It remains true: We all do better when we all do better.
Went an hour out of the way to a Driftless Area farm, saw the sign out front, learned from an 80s organizer that North American Farm Alliance (all over my book) was organized in THAT farmhouse, plus stories about tractorcades and farm policy...
...I'm damn lucky to have my job.
...I'm damn lucky to have my job.
October 23, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Went an hour out of the way to a Driftless Area farm, saw the sign out front, learned from an 80s organizer that North American Farm Alliance (all over my book) was organized in THAT farmhouse, plus stories about tractorcades and farm policy...
...I'm damn lucky to have my job.
...I'm damn lucky to have my job.
Great historical advocacy, educating folks on the roots of the 1980s Farm Crisis, from @fleecechase1.bsky.social!
bgindependentmedia.org/financial-st...
bgindependentmedia.org/financial-st...
Financial stress for today’s farmers may be connected to 1980s Farm Crisis – BG Independent News
bgindependentmedia.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Great historical advocacy, educating folks on the roots of the 1980s Farm Crisis, from @fleecechase1.bsky.social!
bgindependentmedia.org/financial-st...
bgindependentmedia.org/financial-st...
It's a "home day" for the girls and Dad, so we've gone for a walk (to see a train with CPR livery), grabbed some nature stuff, and played with the talking globe...
...can you guess what country we're learning about? 😂
...can you guess what country we're learning about? 😂
September 29, 2025 at 2:26 PM
It's a "home day" for the girls and Dad, so we've gone for a walk (to see a train with CPR livery), grabbed some nature stuff, and played with the talking globe...
...can you guess what country we're learning about? 😂
...can you guess what country we're learning about? 😂
Fun example from @timmiller.bsky.social's interview (or at least the @ezraklein.bsky.social clip)! Let's see.
1984 presidential:
* South Dakota: R+27
* North Dakota: R+31
1986 Senate races, ft. incumbent Republicans:
* SD: Daschle, D+3
* ND: Conrad, DNPL+1
Wonder what those two guys ran on!
1984 presidential:
* South Dakota: R+27
* North Dakota: R+31
1986 Senate races, ft. incumbent Republicans:
* SD: Daschle, D+3
* ND: Conrad, DNPL+1
Wonder what those two guys ran on!
September 27, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Fun example from @timmiller.bsky.social's interview (or at least the @ezraklein.bsky.social clip)! Let's see.
1984 presidential:
* South Dakota: R+27
* North Dakota: R+31
1986 Senate races, ft. incumbent Republicans:
* SD: Daschle, D+3
* ND: Conrad, DNPL+1
Wonder what those two guys ran on!
1984 presidential:
* South Dakota: R+27
* North Dakota: R+31
1986 Senate races, ft. incumbent Republicans:
* SD: Daschle, D+3
* ND: Conrad, DNPL+1
Wonder what those two guys ran on!
Come get your boys, @sykescharlie.bsky.social. Or educate em. Or something.
September 27, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Come get your boys, @sykescharlie.bsky.social. Or educate em. Or something.
Playing the hits down in Mankato.
September 26, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Playing the hits down in Mankato.
From St Mary's (Sleepy Eye) cookbook: "Best Ever Meat Loaf" of Helen Zollner, who at Easter Mass '92 called my Grandma's broach "interesting," sparking a 21-yr standoff only thawed by a curt nod during the Sign of Peace at Christmas '13.
I pray this meatloaf continues our families' healing process.
I pray this meatloaf continues our families' healing process.
September 15, 2025 at 10:55 PM
From St Mary's (Sleepy Eye) cookbook: "Best Ever Meat Loaf" of Helen Zollner, who at Easter Mass '92 called my Grandma's broach "interesting," sparking a 21-yr standoff only thawed by a curt nod during the Sign of Peace at Christmas '13.
I pray this meatloaf continues our families' healing process.
I pray this meatloaf continues our families' healing process.
Tell you what, it's not the worst way I've ever spent a Saturday night in September.
September 14, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Tell you what, it's not the worst way I've ever spent a Saturday night in September.
Oh we are so BACK ✊
FARMS 🤝 LABOR
Now join us for all these great @farmaid.org events, beginning Tuesday at 4pm, Best Buy Theater: "Lessons in Mobilizing: From the Farmer Labor Movement to the Tractorcades to Today"
www.farmaid.org/festival/far...
FARMS 🤝 LABOR
Now join us for all these great @farmaid.org events, beginning Tuesday at 4pm, Best Buy Theater: "Lessons in Mobilizing: From the Farmer Labor Movement to the Tractorcades to Today"
www.farmaid.org/festival/far...
September 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Oh we are so BACK ✊
FARMS 🤝 LABOR
Now join us for all these great @farmaid.org events, beginning Tuesday at 4pm, Best Buy Theater: "Lessons in Mobilizing: From the Farmer Labor Movement to the Tractorcades to Today"
www.farmaid.org/festival/far...
FARMS 🤝 LABOR
Now join us for all these great @farmaid.org events, beginning Tuesday at 4pm, Best Buy Theater: "Lessons in Mobilizing: From the Farmer Labor Movement to the Tractorcades to Today"
www.farmaid.org/festival/far...
Reposted by Cory Haala
Farm Aid and the UMN Departments of History, American Studies & Anthropology Present
Collective Power in the Countryside: A Conversation With Sarah Smarsh & Sarah Vogel, Moderated by Sonja Trom Eayrs
Thu, Sep 18, 5:00pm
Best Buy Theater, Northrup, UMN
@sarahsmarsh.bsky.social @umn-amst.bsky.social
Collective Power in the Countryside: A Conversation With Sarah Smarsh & Sarah Vogel, Moderated by Sonja Trom Eayrs
Thu, Sep 18, 5:00pm
Best Buy Theater, Northrup, UMN
@sarahsmarsh.bsky.social @umn-amst.bsky.social
September 13, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Farm Aid and the UMN Departments of History, American Studies & Anthropology Present
Collective Power in the Countryside: A Conversation With Sarah Smarsh & Sarah Vogel, Moderated by Sonja Trom Eayrs
Thu, Sep 18, 5:00pm
Best Buy Theater, Northrup, UMN
@sarahsmarsh.bsky.social @umn-amst.bsky.social
Collective Power in the Countryside: A Conversation With Sarah Smarsh & Sarah Vogel, Moderated by Sonja Trom Eayrs
Thu, Sep 18, 5:00pm
Best Buy Theater, Northrup, UMN
@sarahsmarsh.bsky.social @umn-amst.bsky.social
Drove thru a major enough Wisconsin metro this AM. The Top 40 radio station's live, local news segment consisted of BLS reports about 800k fewer jobs and explicitly blaming tariffs/AI, news of the French PM dismissal, and asking listeners to call if they'd lost a job to AI.
Then "Pink Pony Club".
Then "Pink Pony Club".
September 9, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Drove thru a major enough Wisconsin metro this AM. The Top 40 radio station's live, local news segment consisted of BLS reports about 800k fewer jobs and explicitly blaming tariffs/AI, news of the French PM dismissal, and asking listeners to call if they'd lost a job to AI.
Then "Pink Pony Club".
Then "Pink Pony Club".
Thinking in particular about the heroic work of Andrew Klumpp (and before him Marv Bergman) and the Annals of Iowa, now getting gutted from the State Historical Society of Iowa for no goddamn good reason (a donor's feefees got hurt).
A tragedy for history of Iowa and the Midwest writ large.
A tragedy for history of Iowa and the Midwest writ large.
Editors are trying their best to maintain the scholarly infrastructures of knowledge exchange. It's not easy or feasible for most to set up open access elsewhere. Our journals, whatever their myriad faults, have helped sustain fields over years and decades.
September 7, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Thinking in particular about the heroic work of Andrew Klumpp (and before him Marv Bergman) and the Annals of Iowa, now getting gutted from the State Historical Society of Iowa for no goddamn good reason (a donor's feefees got hurt).
A tragedy for history of Iowa and the Midwest writ large.
A tragedy for history of Iowa and the Midwest writ large.