Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
@inthepastlane.bsky.social
Historian, author, college prof, public speaker, podcaster. Seen on
@History channel + @PBS. Founder of @WeemsyAwards. All my social media is @inthepastlane. More at www.EdwardTODonnell.com
@History channel + @PBS. Founder of @WeemsyAwards. All my social media is @inthepastlane. More at www.EdwardTODonnell.com
Virginia social studies leaders warn proposed testing shift could sideline critical thinking
Educators say state plan risks replacing inquiry-based assessments with multiple-choice exams virginiamercury.com/2025/11/10/v... #ushistory #sschat #socialstudies #historyteacher
Educators say state plan risks replacing inquiry-based assessments with multiple-choice exams virginiamercury.com/2025/11/10/v... #ushistory #sschat #socialstudies #historyteacher
Virginia social studies leaders warn proposed testing shift could sideline critical thinking • Virginia Mercury
Some Virginia social studies leaders are sounding the alarm over a proposed change to how student performance in history and social science is measured, warning it could swap critical-thinking assessm...
virginiamercury.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Virginia social studies leaders warn proposed testing shift could sideline critical thinking
Educators say state plan risks replacing inquiry-based assessments with multiple-choice exams virginiamercury.com/2025/11/10/v... #ushistory #sschat #socialstudies #historyteacher
Educators say state plan risks replacing inquiry-based assessments with multiple-choice exams virginiamercury.com/2025/11/10/v... #ushistory #sschat #socialstudies #historyteacher
NYC electing Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is a reminder that 1) Socialism has a long history in the US and 2) Americans actually LOVE socialism.
#ushistory #americanhistory #Mamdani #socialism #eugenedebs www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DVac7w/
#ushistory #americanhistory #Mamdani #socialism #eugenedebs www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DVac7w/
NYC electing Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is a reminder that 1) Socialism has a long history in the US and 2) Americans actually LOVE socialism. #ushistory #Mamdani #socialism #eugenedebs #History...
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
NYC electing Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is a reminder that 1) Socialism has a long history in the US and 2) Americans actually LOVE socialism.
#ushistory #americanhistory #Mamdani #socialism #eugenedebs www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DVac7w/
#ushistory #americanhistory #Mamdani #socialism #eugenedebs www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DVac7w/
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
No matter how they voted last night, every one of them has a say in maintaining Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin as their caucus leaders. Every one of them is accountable here.
No matter how they voted last night, every one of them has a say in maintaining Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin as their caucus leaders. Every one of them is accountable here.
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
No matter how they voted last night, every one of them has a say in maintaining Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin as their caucus leaders. Every one of them is accountable here.
No matter how they voted last night, every one of them has a say in maintaining Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin as their caucus leaders. Every one of them is accountable here.
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
To be clear: the deal they voted on to move forward last night still needs to be formally voted on in the Senate and House. If the eight are your senators, they should be hearing from you this morning!
November 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
To be clear: the deal they voted on to move forward last night still needs to be formally voted on in the Senate and House. If the eight are your senators, they should be hearing from you this morning!
Florida university refuses to award scholarship with 'diversity' in its name www.pnj.com/story/news/l... #highered
Donor says UWF refuses to award scholarship with 'diversity' in its name
“Due to politics and Florida’s restriction of the word, ‘diversity,’ in higher education,” over $25,000 in scholarship funds are sitting unused.
www.pnj.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Florida university refuses to award scholarship with 'diversity' in its name www.pnj.com/story/news/l... #highered
Tribes rebury Native American children exhumed from Carlisle boarding school cemetery | AP News apnews.com/article/nati... #ushistory #nativeamerican
The remains and stories of Native American students are being reclaimed from a Pennsylvania cemetery
The latest round of exhumations of Native American students from a cemetery at the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania resulted in the remains of 17 students being repatriated to ...
apnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Tribes rebury Native American children exhumed from Carlisle boarding school cemetery | AP News apnews.com/article/nati... #ushistory #nativeamerican
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
November 7, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
Trump lies about the history of presidents invoking the insurrection act #ushistory #americanhistory #insurrectionact #presidents #nationalguard
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8D5aTsV/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8D5aTsV/
Trump lies about the history of presidents invoking the insurrection act #ushistory #insurrectionact #presidents #nationalguard #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Trump lies about the history of presidents invoking the insurrection act #ushistory #americanhistory #insurrectionact #presidents #nationalguard
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8D5aTsV/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8D5aTsV/
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Douthat writes that 2024, when Harris lost by 1.5% of the popular vote, was "an ideological referendum and progressivism lost." I wonder why he didn't view the 2020 election, when Trump lost by 4.5% of the popular vote, as a far more significant loss for conservatism.
bsky.app/profile/larr...
bsky.app/profile/larr...
Comparing the relation between the presidential election results in 2020 and 2024 with the post-election commentary is a fascinating exercise.
2020
Biden 81,283,501 popular votes, 51.3%
Trump 74,223,975 popular votes 46.8%
2024
Trump 77,302,580 49.8%
Harris 75,017,613. 48.3%
2020
Biden 81,283,501 popular votes, 51.3%
Trump 74,223,975 popular votes 46.8%
2024
Trump 77,302,580 49.8%
Harris 75,017,613. 48.3%
November 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Douthat writes that 2024, when Harris lost by 1.5% of the popular vote, was "an ideological referendum and progressivism lost." I wonder why he didn't view the 2020 election, when Trump lost by 4.5% of the popular vote, as a far more significant loss for conservatism.
bsky.app/profile/larr...
bsky.app/profile/larr...
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
ah yes, aristocracies — known the world over for their innovation, flexibility and capacity to meet new challenges
Meet Rockbridge, the secretive donor circle that lifted JD Vance is now re-writing MAGA’s future.
It roots its action in a “controversial theory — an ‘aristocracy’ is needed to move the country forward.”
It’s method: a venture capital approach to politics.
gift link:
wapo.st/3Jsvgrl
It roots its action in a “controversial theory — an ‘aristocracy’ is needed to move the country forward.”
It’s method: a venture capital approach to politics.
gift link:
wapo.st/3Jsvgrl
The secretive donor circle that lifted JD Vance is now re-writing MAGA’s future
Chris Buskirk put tech elites in power in Trump’s Washington. His efforts are grounded in a controversial theory: An “aristocracy” is needed to move the country forward.
wapo.st
November 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
ah yes, aristocracies — known the world over for their innovation, flexibility and capacity to meet new challenges
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Dick Cheney did more than anyone else to build up expansive and destructive executive branch powers in the wake of 9/11; he lived to see another president turn those same powers against his own daughter.
He should be a warning sign to the GOP today but too many of them are in the cult.
He should be a warning sign to the GOP today but too many of them are in the cult.
November 4, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Dick Cheney did more than anyone else to build up expansive and destructive executive branch powers in the wake of 9/11; he lived to see another president turn those same powers against his own daughter.
He should be a warning sign to the GOP today but too many of them are in the cult.
He should be a warning sign to the GOP today but too many of them are in the cult.
Devastating fire leads to treasure trove of thousands of artifacts beneath historic tavern in Ohio www.foxnews.com/travel/devas... #ushistory #archaeology
Devastating fire leads to treasure trove of thousands of artifacts beneath historic tavern
Archaeologists in Troy, Ohio, uncovered an estimated 4,500 historic artifacts beneath the fire-damaged Overfield Tavern, including coins from 1817 and 1846.
www.foxnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Devastating fire leads to treasure trove of thousands of artifacts beneath historic tavern in Ohio www.foxnews.com/travel/devas... #ushistory #archaeology
The Southern US county honoring its dark past www.bbc.com/travel/artic... #ushistory #blackhistory #slavery
The Southern US county honouring its dark past
While other places in the US are increasingly censoring how they tell their multicultural histories to travellers, one community is highlighting them.
www.bbc.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The Southern US county honoring its dark past www.bbc.com/travel/artic... #ushistory #blackhistory #slavery
JD Vance makes false claims about the history of immigration to justify restriction.
#ushistory #americanhistory #JDVance #immigration #johnsonreed #Africkaners #statueoliberty
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DDwFJJ/
#ushistory #americanhistory #JDVance #immigration #johnsonreed #Africkaners #statueoliberty
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DDwFJJ/
JD Vance makes false claims about the history of immigration to justify restriction. #ushistory #JDVance #immigration #Africkaners #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 AM
JD Vance makes false claims about the history of immigration to justify restriction.
#ushistory #americanhistory #JDVance #immigration #johnsonreed #Africkaners #statueoliberty
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DDwFJJ/
#ushistory #americanhistory #JDVance #immigration #johnsonreed #Africkaners #statueoliberty
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DDwFJJ/
Trump falsely claims that before him, no other president had ended a war.
#ushistory #americanhistory #presidents #nobelpeaceprize #theodoreroosevelt #jimmycarter #trumphistory www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DBJRg6/
#ushistory #americanhistory #presidents #nobelpeaceprize #theodoreroosevelt #jimmycarter #trumphistory www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DBJRg6/
Trump falsely claims that before him, no other president had ended a war. #ushistory #presidents #nobelpeaceprize #theodoreroosevelt #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Trump falsely claims that before him, no other president had ended a war.
#ushistory #americanhistory #presidents #nobelpeaceprize #theodoreroosevelt #jimmycarter #trumphistory www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DBJRg6/
#ushistory #americanhistory #presidents #nobelpeaceprize #theodoreroosevelt #jimmycarter #trumphistory www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DBJRg6/
Trump Is Working Hard to Make the Confederacy Great Again
#ushistory #americanhistory #civilwar #confederatemonements #robertelee #albertpike #confederacy
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dk8hMm/
#ushistory #americanhistory #civilwar #confederatemonements #robertelee #albertpike #confederacy
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dk8hMm/
Trump Is Working Hard to Make the Confederacy Great Again #ushistory #civilwar #confederatemonements #robertelee #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Trump Is Working Hard to Make the Confederacy Great Again
#ushistory #americanhistory #civilwar #confederatemonements #robertelee #albertpike #confederacy
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dk8hMm/
#ushistory #americanhistory #civilwar #confederatemonements #robertelee #albertpike #confederacy
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dk8hMm/
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
John Roberts is maybe the most effective racist in the history of American politics since the end of the Jim Crow era. Breathtaking accomplishments in bigotry and sadism.
October 27, 2025 at 1:23 AM
John Roberts is maybe the most effective racist in the history of American politics since the end of the Jim Crow era. Breathtaking accomplishments in bigotry and sadism.
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
A few thoughts about this deeply-flawed Jeremy W. Peters article.(Gift link.) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
How a Small Elite College in Maine Influenced Mamdani’s World View
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
A few thoughts about this deeply-flawed Jeremy W. Peters article.(Gift link.) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
This is exactly the same argument — and, in parts, even the same language — that segregationists advanced to argue that white people had a “right” not to live next to people who were different from them.
Vance says it is "totally reasonable and acceptable" for people to not want to live next door to people who speak a different language than they do
October 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
This is exactly the same argument — and, in parts, even the same language — that segregationists advanced to argue that white people had a “right” not to live next to people who were different from them.
The disgraceful history of erasing Black cemeteries in the United States theconversation.com/the-disgrace...
The disgraceful history of erasing Black cemeteries in the United States
From grave robbing to road construction, a cemetery in Richmond, Va., reveals the long pattern of Black Americans burying their dead in spaces that received few protections.
theconversation.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The disgraceful history of erasing Black cemeteries in the United States theconversation.com/the-disgrace...
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Whenever people complain about the number of folks relying on food stamps, it is worth reminding them that SNAP is, by too large of a degree, a subsidy for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage and their political allies who reject public policy prescriptions to reduce income inequality.
October 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Whenever people complain about the number of folks relying on food stamps, it is worth reminding them that SNAP is, by too large of a degree, a subsidy for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage and their political allies who reject public policy prescriptions to reduce income inequality.
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
It is a miracle that these idiots haven't killed dozens of people by now. They sure seem to be *trying*
These shots were fired by a Homeland Security officer at an unarmed Black man in DC.
Officers saw tinted windows, lack of front license plate, and said he was trying to flee.
Judge dismissed all charges.
“Miraculously, every shot missed," says his lawyer.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Officers saw tinted windows, lack of front license plate, and said he was trying to flee.
Judge dismissed all charges.
“Miraculously, every shot missed," says his lawyer.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
October 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
It is a miracle that these idiots haven't killed dozens of people by now. They sure seem to be *trying*
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on this day, October 28th, in 1886 in New York Harbor. 🗽
In 1987, President Reagan signed a proclamation designating October 28th as National Immigrants Day. 🗃️
In 1987, President Reagan signed a proclamation designating October 28th as National Immigrants Day. 🗃️
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on this day, October 28th, in 1886 in New York Harbor. 🗽
In 1987, President Reagan signed a proclamation designating October 28th as National Immigrants Day. 🗃️
In 1987, President Reagan signed a proclamation designating October 28th as National Immigrants Day. 🗃️
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Rep. Burlison's congressional district (MO-7) gets about $4.8 billion in federal spending that comes from taxpayers, but if he wants to reject that on behalf of his truly independent and freedom-loving constituents, he can send it back anytime.
Rep. Eric Burlison dismisses the "No Kings" rallies by claiming that most of the protesters "are dependent in some way, shape, or form [on] the federal government": "They're not taxpayers, they're tax recipients."
October 27, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Rep. Burlison's congressional district (MO-7) gets about $4.8 billion in federal spending that comes from taxpayers, but if he wants to reject that on behalf of his truly independent and freedom-loving constituents, he can send it back anytime.
Trump, in tiff with Canada, falsely claims Ronald Reagan loved tariffs
#ushistory #americanhistory #ronaldreagan #canadatariff #trumptariffs #Presidents
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DeT9fN/
#ushistory #americanhistory #ronaldreagan #canadatariff #trumptariffs #Presidents
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DeT9fN/
Trump, in tiff with Canada, falsely claims Ronald Reagan loved tariffs #ushistory #ronaldreagan #canadatariff #trumptariffs #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Trump, in tiff with Canada, falsely claims Ronald Reagan loved tariffs
#ushistory #americanhistory #ronaldreagan #canadatariff #trumptariffs #Presidents
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DeT9fN/
#ushistory #americanhistory #ronaldreagan #canadatariff #trumptariffs #Presidents
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DeT9fN/