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
Blacklisted during McCarthyism, she's speaking out against Florida’s new teaching standards about communism wtop.com/education/20... #ushistory #APUSH #socialstudies
Lee Grant, blacklisted during McCarthyism, is speaking out against Florida’s teaching standards - WTOP News
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — At 100 years old, Lee Grant knows the cost of McCarthyism better than almost anyone else on the planet. One of the last surviving actors to be blacklisted during the anti…
wtop.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Blacklisted during McCarthyism, she's speaking out against Florida’s new teaching standards about communism wtop.com/education/20... #ushistory #APUSH #socialstudies
The barn where Emmett Till was killed to open as a memorial ahead of the 75th anniversary of his lynching www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/u... #ushistory #blackhistory #emmetttill
The barn where Emmett Till was killed to open as a memorial ahead of the 75th anniversary of his lynching | CNN
The barn in Mississippi where 14-year-old Emmett Till was tortured and killed will open to the public as a “sacred” memorial site by 2030, the new owner announced.
www.cnn.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The barn where Emmett Till was killed to open as a memorial ahead of the 75th anniversary of his lynching www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/u... #ushistory #blackhistory #emmetttill
JD Vance makes false claims about Christianity and Native American history
#ushistory #AmericanHistory #JDVance #colonialism #christiannationalism #socialstudies www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UygMQw/
#ushistory #AmericanHistory #JDVance #colonialism #christiannationalism #socialstudies www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UygMQw/
JD Vance makes false claims about Christianity and Native American history #ushistory #nativeamerican #JDVance #colonialism #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:15 PM
JD Vance makes false claims about Christianity and Native American history
#ushistory #AmericanHistory #JDVance #colonialism #christiannationalism #socialstudies www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UygMQw/
#ushistory #AmericanHistory #JDVance #colonialism #christiannationalism #socialstudies www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UygMQw/
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Secretary Pete Hegseth, a Princeton graduate, was unable to comprehend that photographs create mirror images of their subjects. Here's why affirmative action has lowered the standards of Ivy League admissions.
November 26, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Secretary Pete Hegseth, a Princeton graduate, was unable to comprehend that photographs create mirror images of their subjects. Here's why affirmative action has lowered the standards of Ivy League admissions.
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Thanksgiving is not a colonial/Pilgrim holiday. It’s a Civil War holiday. & we think otherwise in part because of the Lost Cause. 🗃️
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UrgXv1/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UrgXv1/
Let’s talk the real #history of #Thanksgiving & the #LostCause history of the #CivilWar Follow @karencoxhistorian “Forgotten America” is available on @thegreatcourses plus & @Audible
TikTok video by PhDRachel
www.tiktok.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Thanksgiving is not a colonial/Pilgrim holiday. It’s a Civil War holiday. & we think otherwise in part because of the Lost Cause. 🗃️
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UrgXv1/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UrgXv1/
Mike Pence makes a ridiculous claim about the Founding Fathers and Israel.
#ushistory #foundingfathers #presidents #johnadams #socialstudies www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Ur4pKx/
#ushistory #foundingfathers #presidents #johnadams #socialstudies www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Ur4pKx/
Mike Pence makes up stuff about the Founding Fathers and Israel. #ushistory #foundingfathers #presidents #johnadams #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Mike Pence makes a ridiculous claim about the Founding Fathers and Israel.
#ushistory #foundingfathers #presidents #johnadams #socialstudies www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Ur4pKx/
#ushistory #foundingfathers #presidents #johnadams #socialstudies www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Ur4pKx/
Ohio officials vote to teach Christi@n n@tion@list fake history in public schools
#ushistory #americanhistory #founders #socialstudies #constitution www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UYM7QV/
#ushistory #americanhistory #founders #socialstudies #constitution www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UYM7QV/
Ohio officials vote to teach Christi@n n@tion@list fake history in public schools #ushistory #founders #socialstudies #constitution #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Ohio officials vote to teach Christi@n n@tion@list fake history in public schools
#ushistory #americanhistory #founders #socialstudies #constitution www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UYM7QV/
#ushistory #americanhistory #founders #socialstudies #constitution www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UYM7QV/
Trump calls for the execution of his political enemies to distract from the You-Know-What-Files
#ushistory #americanhistory #presidents #andrewjohnson #heathercoxrichardson #trump #treason #releasethefiles www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8U8P6bU/
#ushistory #americanhistory #presidents #andrewjohnson #heathercoxrichardson #trump #treason #releasethefiles www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8U8P6bU/
Trump calls for the execution of his political enemies to distract from the You-Know-What-Files #ushistory #trump #treason #releasethefiles #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Trump calls for the execution of his political enemies to distract from the You-Know-What-Files
#ushistory #americanhistory #presidents #andrewjohnson #heathercoxrichardson #trump #treason #releasethefiles www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8U8P6bU/
#ushistory #americanhistory #presidents #andrewjohnson #heathercoxrichardson #trump #treason #releasethefiles www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8U8P6bU/
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
Seen in Boston, Massachusetts in 1854.
November 20, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Seen in Boston, Massachusetts in 1854.
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
This will surely surprise most Americans today, but historians have recently discovered that before Donald Trump, it was actually incredibly rare for a president to demand the public execution of this political opponents and press critics.
November 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
This will surely surprise most Americans today, but historians have recently discovered that before Donald Trump, it was actually incredibly rare for a president to demand the public execution of this political opponents and press critics.
Reposted by Edward T. O'Donnell, Historian-at-Large
I'm currently finishing a book about the early years of the Civil Rights Division, when it famously prosecuted cases *against* the perpetrators of gun violence.
This is such a sick perversion of a storied institution.
This is such a sick perversion of a storied institution.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division was created to protect the rights of the politically disempowered. Under the leadership of Harmeet K. Dhillon, a lawyer and MAGA-world star, the division is pivoting to knocking down gun restrictions.
At the Justice Department, Civil Rights Now Means Gun Rights
The Civil Rights Division was created to protect the disempowered. Under Trump, it's working to dismantle gun restrictions.
www.thetrace.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I'm currently finishing a book about the early years of the Civil Rights Division, when it famously prosecuted cases *against* the perpetrators of gun violence.
This is such a sick perversion of a storied institution.
This is such a sick perversion of a storied institution.
A Native American leader who enlisted in the Union Army has been posthumously admitted to the New York bar after 176 years www.cnn.com/2025/11/15/u... #ushistory #nativeamerican
A Native American leader who enlisted in the Union Army has been posthumously admitted to the New York bar after 176 years | CNN
Ely S. Parker, a Tonawanda Seneca from western New York, never took no for an answer.
www.cnn.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A Native American leader who enlisted in the Union Army has been posthumously admitted to the New York bar after 176 years www.cnn.com/2025/11/15/u... #ushistory #nativeamerican
A new Oregon marker highlights the courage of Japanese American WWII Soldiers ktvz.com/community/20... #ww2 #ushistory
How a new Oregon marker highlights the courage of Japanese American WWII Soldiers
Update: Adding video BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The community of Hood River, in partnership with the Oregon Travel Information Council, unveiled a new historical marker on Highway 35, south of Hood River. T...
ktvz.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:18 PM
A new Oregon marker highlights the courage of Japanese American WWII Soldiers ktvz.com/community/20... #ww2 #ushistory
Trump administration purges Black history from a World War II cemetery - just in time for Veterans Day
#ushistory #americanhistory #veteransday #ww2 #blackhistory #bonespurs #hegseth www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DbKfv4/
#ushistory #americanhistory #veteransday #ww2 #blackhistory #bonespurs #hegseth www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DbKfv4/
Trump administration purges Black history from a World War II cemetery - just in time for Veterans Day #ushistory #veteransday #ww2 #blackhistory #HistoryTikTok
TikTok video by Edward T. O’Donnell
www.tiktok.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Trump administration purges Black history from a World War II cemetery - just in time for Veterans Day
#ushistory #americanhistory #veteransday #ww2 #blackhistory #bonespurs #hegseth www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DbKfv4/
#ushistory #americanhistory #veteransday #ww2 #blackhistory #bonespurs #hegseth www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DbKfv4/
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