A new AI model trained on historical archives highlights why historians warn that biased records can distort our understanding of the past.
About Active History
Teaching in Interesting Times: America @ 250 in the Canadian Classroom
A Canadian historian explores teaching U.S. history during America’s 250th anniversary through student projects, debate, and critical reflection.
A Canadian historian explores teaching U.S. history during America’s 250th anniversary through student projects, debate, and critical reflection.
Save Our Signs: Preserving Censored Histories in America’s Largest Outdoor Classroom
A grassroots archive preserves National Park signs and exhibits documenting contested histories, protecting public memory and historical storytelling.
A grassroots archive preserves National Park signs and exhibits documenting contested histories, protecting public memory and historical storytelling.
Feeling Weird in the Archives
The more recent meaning of “weird,” aligning it with the bizarre, is a good starting point for inquiry.
The more recent meaning of “weird,” aligning it with the bizarre, is a good starting point for inquiry.
“We Are in Danger of Becoming a Stage Without Actors:” Contextualizing Contemporary Overtourism in Venice, Italy
Over the past decade, Venice has been at the forefront of a backlash against overtourism in Europe.
Over the past decade, Venice has been at the forefront of a backlash against overtourism in Europe.
Health Care Workers and the ‘Third Wave’ of Occupational Health
A tentative agreement ended the labour action after eight weeks, another example of a lengthy labour dispute in a nursing home.
A tentative agreement ended the labour action after eight weeks, another example of a lengthy labour dispute in a nursing home.
When Did the Great Acceleration Start? Saskatchewan Might Hold the Answer
Will Steffen used simple data visualizations to make a compelling case the Great Acceleration started in the mid-20th century.
Will Steffen used simple data visualizations to make a compelling case the Great Acceleration started in the mid-20th century.
Canada’s Competing Definitions of Bilingualism
How is it that the even the definition of the term “bilingual” remains contested in Canada today?
How is it that the even the definition of the term “bilingual” remains contested in Canada today?
Confirmation Bias and the Indian Act: How Common Knowledge Can Fuel Anti-Indigenous Racism
This sort of nuance is fundamental to moving beyond basic understandings of the Act.
This sort of nuance is fundamental to moving beyond basic understandings of the Act.
Commercial Tattooing – What’s Old Is News
This week, I’m joined by Jamie Jelinski, author of Needle Work: A History of Commercial Tatooing in Canada.
This week, I’m joined by Jamie Jelinski, author of Needle Work: A History of Commercial Tatooing in Canada.
Child of the Anthropocene: The Great Acceleration and a Reconnaissance of Canadian Environmental History
Several environmental historians have written synthesis overviews to provide coherence to the field.
Several environmental historians have written synthesis overviews to provide coherence to the field.
A Modern History of Monsters
After years of teaching history, I can assert that monsters are good to think with.
After years of teaching history, I can assert that monsters are good to think with.
Global Fascism: Lessons From India
Debates over the fascism label/analogy have tended to gravitate towards discussions of Donald Trump and Trumpism.
Debates over the fascism label/analogy have tended to gravitate towards discussions of Donald Trump and Trumpism.
Piecing Together Fragments: Historians and True Crime
In recent years, true crime stories have become a ubiquitous part of the public conscience.
In recent years, true crime stories have become a ubiquitous part of the public conscience.
Poilievre’s Comments on Folklore Aren’t Quaint—They’re Dangerous
About three-quarters of the way through his speech, Poilievre waxed about the ties that continue to bind the former dominion with its imperial metropole.
About three-quarters of the way through his speech, Poilievre waxed about the ties that continue to bind the former dominion with its imperial metropole.
Care Under Raid: Policing, Privacy, and Queer Resistance
For many patrons, the violation was immediate and visceral. But to understand why the raid felt so profound, we have to understand what the police were interrupting.
For many patrons, the violation was immediate and visceral. But to understand why the raid felt so profound, we have to understand what the police were interrupting.