Thaddeus Morgan Archives ‑ History.com

How 19th‑Century Drag Balls Evolved into House Balls, Birthplace of Voguing

In the early 1970s, Black and Latinx gay, trans and queer people developed a thriving subculture in house balls, where they could express themselves freely and find acceptance within a marginalized community. It was here where the world of drag pageantry, which often favored white contestants, evolved into competitions that spanned a variety of categories, […]

11 Anthems of Black Pride and Protest Through American History

From spirituals to ballads, funk and hip hop, these songs have provided a sound track to the pride and struggle of African Americans through the centuries.

The Daring Disguise that Helped One Enslaved Couple Escape to Freedom

In 1848 William and Ellen Craft blurred the lines of race and gender in order to escape slavery.

When Hollywood Studios Married Off Gay Stars to Keep Their Sexuality a Secret

During the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1920s, actors and actresses shot to fame—but only if they tailored their images to the demands of the big studios. For LGBT actors, that often meant marrying a person of the opposite sex. The early 20th century represented a unique time for LGBT people in the country. […]

Follow the Freedom Riders’ Journey Against Segregation During the Civil Rights Era

HISTORY is proud to join with Google Earth to present an interactive view of the Freedom Rides. On the first day of May, in 1961, a group of 13 activists gathered to prepare for one of the most harrowing and courageous challenges to segregation in America. Travel along the bus route the Freedom Riders took and […]

8 Black Inventors Who Made Daily Life Easier

Black innovators changed the way we live through their contributions, from the traffic light to the ironing board.

How an Enslaved Man‑Turned‑Spy Helped Secure Victory at the Battle of Yorktown

In the autumn of 1781, the American colonial army fought in the Battle of Yorktown, the final and arguably most consequential battle for American independence from British rule. By all accounts, this monumental victory, which forced the surrender of British General Lord Cornwallis and his squadron of nearly 9,000 troops, would not have been possible without […]

How a Terrifying Wave of Unexplained Deaths Led to ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’

In 1984, Wes Craven introduced the world to one of the most iconic horror films of all time: A Nightmare on Elm Street. His creation of Freddy Krueger as a demon who kills teens in their dreams was heinous, terrifying and literally ripped from the headlines. Craven found inspiration for the landmark horror film through […]

How an Ex‑KKK Member Made His Way Onto the U.S. Supreme Court

During his time on the Supreme Court, Justice Hugo Black voted to desegregate schools, expand freedom of the press and help protect housing options for minorities. He was also a former member of the Ku Klux Klan. While Black’s liberal leanings during this New Deal era, would not seem to fit with membership in the […]

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