Culture
Mary Lincoln’s newly digitized letter records an ordinary invitation
A digitized February 1865 letter records an invitation, work at the Executive Mansion and thanks for a wreath with a Civil War connection.
October 21, 2026 · 2 min readTHE AMERICAN EDIT
History
The latest reporting, guides and features on History.
Culture
Cold War science looks different in a correspondence folder
Historian Anna Doel's new Library of Congress account follows the letters, visits and missing photographs behind scientific exchange.
October 20, 2026 · 2 min read
Entertainment
Tenzing reaches Apple TV: pair the drama with the expedition record
Jennifer Peedom’s Everest drama stars Genden Phuntsok as Tenzing Norgay and Tom Hiddleston as Edmund Hillary.
October 16, 2026 · 1 min read
Culture
Read Sor Juana’s reply as an argument, with its opponent in view
A 1700 volume at the Library of Congress preserves Sor Juana’s defense of women’s learning and the reply she wrote to a bishop using a female pseudonym.
October 15, 2026 · 2 min read
The Edit
Research a New York City address with Municipal Archives photographs and maps
Municipal Archives photographs and maps can trace changes at a New York City address, with property-tax surveys offering a particularly detailed starting point.
October 13, 2026 · 4 min read
The Edit
Much Here Is Beautiful brings 1976 photo surveys to Smithsonian American Art
Announced on September 15, Much Here Is Beautiful gave readers a reason to plan a visit around photographs of American places and everyday life.
September 15, 2026 · 2 min read
The Edit
Opening the Vault brought rare National Archives documents to Simi Valley
The Reagan Library’s September 9 display brought National Archives records to Southern California, including material connected to the Louisiana Purchase and civil rights.
September 9, 2026 · 2 min read
The Edit
America 250 at the CDC Museum: free entry requires a reservation
America 250 traces public-health history at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum in Atlanta. Free admission requires booking at least a week ahead for smaller groups.
September 8, 2026 · 3 min read
The Edit
Voices and Votes closes its Washington run on Labor Day
The Smithsonian civic-history exhibition ended its Washington run on September 7. Its traveling program offers another route into the subject.
September 7, 2026 · 2 min read
The Edit
Jefferson's rough draft anchors The Declaration's Promise in Washington
Jefferson’s rough draft gives the Library of Congress exhibition a concrete starting point for readers who want history beyond a familiar quotation.
September 3, 2026 · 3 min read