NPR Topics: History https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1136 History en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:19:32 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: History https://www.npr.org/sections/history/ How more than 1,000 artifacts were found in a dumpster, then returned to Mexico More than 1,000 pre-Hispanic artifacts are being repatriated to Mexico from the United States thanks to Jeremy Pilver, a licensed archeologist in Connecticut, and his high school students. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:00:43 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/21/nx-s1-5939849/how-more-than-1-000-artifacts-were-found-in-a-dumpster-then-returned-to-mexico https://www.npr.org/2026/08/21/nx-s1-5939849/how-more-than-1-000-artifacts-were-found-in-a-dumpster-then-returned-to-mexico More than 1,000 pre-Hispanic artifacts are being repatriated to Mexico from the United States thanks to Jeremy Pilver, a licensed archeologist in Connecticut, and his high school students.

]]> Christopher Harland-Dunaway Elbridge who? How the name of a forgotten founder lives on in the word 'gerrymander' Elbridge Gerry was an important early figure in the American Revolution, but his decision to approve a "gerrymandered" state legislative map inadvertently won him lasting infamy. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5930301/gerrymandering-elbridge-gerry-redistricting https://www.npr.org/2026/08/19/nx-s1-5930301/gerrymandering-elbridge-gerry-redistricting

Elbridge Gerry was an important early figure in the American Revolution, but his decision to approve a "gerrymandered" state legislative map inadvertently won him lasting infamy.

(Image credit: Ronaldo Schemidt)

]]> Scott Neuman Group uncovers history by exploring sunken slave ships Divers in Florida are seeking sunken slave ships for connections to history. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:03:20 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/18/nx-s1-5921329-e1/group-uncovers-history-by-exploring-sunken-slave-ships https://www.npr.org/2026/08/18/nx-s1-5921329-e1/group-uncovers-history-by-exploring-sunken-slave-ships Divers in Florida are seeking sunken slave ships for connections to history.

]]> Amara Evering In Portland, this soap box derby combines downhill speed with extreme pageantry Soap box derbies send motorless cars down a steep incline. At one event, contestants make their cars look like cartoon characters, subway cars, food, and giant animals (among other outlandish shapes). Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:30:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/18/nx-s1-5935518/portland-oregon-soap-box-derby-race-pdx https://www.npr.org/2026/08/18/nx-s1-5935518/portland-oregon-soap-box-derby-race-pdx

Soap box derbies send motorless cars down a steep incline. At one event, contestants make their cars look like cartoon characters, subway cars, food, and giant animals (among other outlandish shapes).

(Image credit: Celeste Noche for NPR)

]]> Deena Prichep Group uncovers history by exploring sunken slave ships Divers in Florida are seeking sunken slave ships for connections to history. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 04:40:54 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/18/nx-s1-5921329/group-uncovers-history-by-exploring-sunken-slave-ships https://www.npr.org/2026/08/18/nx-s1-5921329/group-uncovers-history-by-exploring-sunken-slave-ships Divers in Florida are seeking sunken slave ships for connections to history.

]]> Amara Evering How Americans deceive ourselves about slavery Clint Smith's <em>How the Word Is Passed </em>explores how slavery is — and isn't — taught. And <em>Above Ground</em> includes poems to his children about what their ancestors endured and escaped. He spoke with <em>Fresh Air</em> in 2021 and 2023. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:13:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/14/nx-s1-5928227/how-americans-deceive-ourselves-about-slavery https://www.npr.org/2026/08/14/nx-s1-5928227/how-americans-deceive-ourselves-about-slavery Clint Smith's How the Word Is Passed explores how slavery is — and isn't — taught. And Above Ground includes poems to his children about what their ancestors endured and escaped. He spoke with Fresh Air in 2021 and 2023.

]]> Terry Gross Revisiting the 'Mother Road,' Route 66, which turns 100 this year This year marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary U.S. Route 66. We revisit a 1984 documentary made as the last stretch of the highway was being bypassed by the Federal Interstate System. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 16:19:12 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/10/nx-s1-5924061/revisiting-the-mother-road-route-66-which-turns-100-this-year https://www.npr.org/2026/08/10/nx-s1-5924061/revisiting-the-mother-road-route-66-which-turns-100-this-year This year marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary U.S. Route 66. We revisit a 1984 documentary made as the last stretch of the highway was being bypassed by the Federal Interstate System.

]]> The Kitchen Sisters An AI chatbot is joining the search for art looted by the Nazis  More than 100,000 artifacts stolen by Nazis have never been returned to their owners. Researchers are turning to artificial intelligence to help. Sun, 09 Aug 2026 17:27:13 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/06/nx-s1-5922729/ai-art-provenance-assistant https://www.npr.org/2026/08/06/nx-s1-5922729/ai-art-provenance-assistant

More than 100,000 artifacts stolen by Nazis have never been returned to their owners. Researchers are turning to artificial intelligence to help.

(Image credit: Horace Abrahams/Keystone Pool)

]]> Chloe Veltman How the 1972 Polaroid SX-70 revolutionized consumer photography In 1972, the Polaroid SX-70, made in collaboration with a famous industrial designer named Henry Dreyfuss, was a revelation. The object is on view at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian museum of design in New York City. Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:01:58 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/02/nx-s1-5871341/how-the-1972-polaroid-sx-70-revolutionized-consumer-photography https://www.npr.org/2026/08/02/nx-s1-5871341/how-the-1972-polaroid-sx-70-revolutionized-consumer-photography In 1972, the Polaroid SX-70, made in collaboration with a famous industrial designer named Henry Dreyfuss, was a revelation. The object is on view at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian museum of design in New York City.

]]> Anastasia Tsioulcas Over 81,000 U.S. soldiers are missing from past wars. One may soon be identified In June, the Department of Defense disinterred the remains of an unidentified WWII soldier who had been buried in Sitka, Alaska for decades. Now, they'll try to confirm who he is. Sat, 01 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/01/nx-s1-5912226/x3-sitka-alaska-dpaa-dod-missing-soldiers-service-members https://www.npr.org/2026/08/01/nx-s1-5912226/x3-sitka-alaska-dpaa-dod-missing-soldiers-service-members

In June, the Department of Defense disinterred the remains of an unidentified WWII soldier who had been buried in Sitka, Alaska for decades. Now, they'll try to confirm who he is.

(Image credit: Hope McKenney)

]]> Hope McKenney