Head-Tilting History
Even before American independence, some individuals were drawn across the Atlantic and onto the front lines of the American Revolution to fight for these ideals. Here are six brave souls, whose decision to leave their home lands and fight for the Patriot cause made them American heroes.
In the words of American Battlefield Trust Director of Education Garry Adelman, “Show me another calendar month in which the Civil War began and ended, in which the Confederacy’s largest and most important cities fell, a president was assassinated and two of the bloodiest battles in American history were fought. April reigns supreme on any Civil War timeline.” Check out the abridged timeline for yourself.
Although often overlooked, women played a fundamental in the founding of the United States and our nation’s early conflicts. Here are nine times in American history when a woman saved the day.
It may be that the best spies leave no trace. But it shouldn’t be a secret that in a 2007 publication, the CIA identified information from African Americans as “the single most prolific and productive category of intelligence obtained and acted on by Union forces throughout the Civil War.” The history of this information is woefully incomplete. Yet we know enough today to appreciate the critical role these African American spies and informants played in shaping their own fate and the fate of our nation.
Whimsical. Colorful. Recreational. Quaint. If you've only encountered balloons in modern contexts, you may struggle to imagine one striking fear in a soldier's heart. But in fact, balloons were a formidable presence for a few years of the Civil War, used for surveillance and reconnaissance primarily by the Union but also by the Confederacy. Here are nine things you need to know about this surprising military technology.
Sawbones. Crazy Bet. Killer Angel. These are just some of the names of beers that today bear names inspired by the Civil War. Along with historical names, breweries throughout the nation have also chosen Civil War inspired locations or recipes, and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine has even teamed up with a brewery to create its own unique, history-themed beer. It is tempting to think that this easy relationship between beer and these people and places dates back to the war itself. Yet...
Head-Tilting History sparked from a desire for engaging stories to share with all audiences, to build a new — or grow a long-established — love of history. Please share this exciting content and send feedback to web@battlefields.org.
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Hallowed Ground Magazine
Explore the American Battlefield Trust’s award-winning membership magazine, Hallowed Ground, published quarterly.
Women in War
Women had a vital role in America's early conflicts — participating, supporting, and organizing. Studying their involvement gives a broader...
How Well Do You Know George Washington?
Take our quiz to find out how much trivia you know about America's first president.
Railroads in the Civil War
VIDEO | Historian Sam Smith discusses the importance of railroads in the Civil War era. This video is part of the American Battlefield Trust's In4