Yesterday was the anniversary of the Colfax Massacre. Here is a reflection on how it has been misremembered. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

Wrote this a couple days ago and it looks like I will be on NPR's Weekend Edition this coming weekend to talk about it. kevinmlevin.substack.com/p/an-arch-to...

I wrote about the wider context of the administration's effort to erase slavery from the 250th for @time.com (and in my book). time.com/article/2026...

I have stood before this memorial more than once. Over the past decade I’ve helped history teachers from across the country try to better understand its history and memory. #CivilWarMemory kevinmlevin.substack.com/p/a-reflecti...

The print also did something unusual for its era. It put Black soldiers at the center of a Civil War image at a time when most popular depictions ignored them entirely. #CivilWarMemory kevinmlevin.substack.com/p/nathan-bed...

The America 250 anniversary will ultimately be commemorated in thousands of ways, in thousands of places, by thousands of communities. kevinmlevin.substack.com/p/donald-tru...

Picked up a signed copy of @chanda.blacksky.app’s new book at Sherman’s Book Shop in Portland, Maine. I mean, I can’t just read history books. 😉

"the federal government under President Trump continues to look for ways to shape the national commemorative narrative by emphasizing triumphalist themes, downplaying uncomfortable historical truths, and redirecting public memory toward a more sanitized vision of American greatness..."

This marker, explaining the Colfax Massacre, was erected in 1951 and removed in 2021.

Donald Trump Can't Rewrite History Everywhere #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

A brief reflection on this 162nd anniversary of the Fort Pillow Massacre. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

A brief reflection on this 162nd anniversary of the Fort Pillow Massacre. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

Great essay on this monument, its history & controversy & the willingness to embrace complexity.

Wish I could be in DC today. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

Wish I could be in DC today. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

Happy anniversary to all who celebrate (the greatest celebrity-on-celebrity social media takedown of all time)

The fallen buried at Arlington deserve better than to spend eternity in the shadow of someone else’s ambition. Some places should not be improved. Some views should not be interrupted. Some silences should be left alone. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

The fallen buried at Arlington deserve better than to spend eternity in the shadow of someone else’s ambition. Some places should not be improved. Some views should not be interrupted. Some silences should be left alone. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

A vice president heading a diplomatic delegation that isn't really authorized to negotiate - what could go wrong?

Been a good week for the book (despite it remaining at-large in the vast Amazon ether and not shipping—sorry!). With our memory of Washington and slavery staying in the news, I think you'll find it relevant. Hope you'll consider picking up a copy if you haven't already! bookshop.org/p/books/thy-...

Some thoughts about the language of Robert E. Lee’s “Farewell Address” and the surrender of his army at Appomattox Court House. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

Checking in with Otis.

"The first permanent exhibit by the Shockoe Institute [in Richmond, Virginia] is tracing the history of slavery, in what once was a major hub for the domestic slave trade." www.wric.com/news/local-n...

This just made my day. Thank you, Glenn.

Some thoughts about the language of Robert E. Lee’s “Farewell Address” and the surrender of his army at Appomattox Court House. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

It must be a relief to every military family in this country--that has a loved one in harm's way--to know that the commander-in-chief is laser focused on ensuring that they make it home safe.

That's Skip Battin on bass. Come someone tell me what he has wrapped around the tuning pegs. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ymk...

Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate army #OTD in 1865 at Appomattox Court House. His defeats have only continued in recent years, the most recent occurring just this week. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

You can't talk about the surrender of Robert E. Lee's Confederate army at Appomattox Court House #OTD in 1865 without also mentioning the fact that roughly 4,600 African Americans, who lived in Appomattox County gained their freedom that day. #CivilWarMemory

Build Your Appomattox Library #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

You can now pre-order my forthcoming biography of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It should be available directly through @uncpress.bsky.social and other sites in the next few weeks. 🗃️ www.amazon.com/Glorious-Fat...

Build Your Appomattox Library #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

🧵The question of why Confederate soldiers fought is one way highlight the place of slavery in this story, but a more interesting question to me is how Confederate soldiers experienced the institution of slavery while in military service. This opens up numerous avenues of inquiry. During the war...

You can't talk about the surrender of Robert E. Lee's Confederate army at Appomattox Court House #OTD in 1865 without also mentioning the fact that roughly 4,600 African Americans, who lived in Appomattox County gained their freedom that day. #CivilWarMemory

Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate army #OTD in 1865 at Appomattox Court House. His defeats have only continued in recent years, the most recent occurring just this week. #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

My response feed is now filled with people arguing that the United States should have executed every Confederate in 1865, which is really weird in light of the president's statement yesterday that he intended to engage in a war crime of killing all Iranians. We live in a culture of bloodlust.

The incredible team at @inquirer.com continues to be all over this story. The revised approach the administration proposes here is very typical in recent years, qualifying statements about Washington’s enslaving by pointing to his statements in opposition to it. (Gift link) share.inquirer.com/tkvteN

For our 40th Anniversary Campaign, we are highlighting the excellent work, awards, and initiatives that the SCWH makes possible! Donate here: scwh.memberclicks.net/donate-to-th... Here's Rachael Nicholas, 2024 Outstanding Paper by a Graduate Student Prize winner (2026 noms due May 1!) 🗃️

Want to read an excerpt from the Prologue of THE WESTERNERS before committing to the whole book? If so, get thee to @literaryhub.bsky.social! lithub.com/frederick-ja...

'Gov. Spanberger signed a bill to end the renewal of commemorative Robert E. Lee license plates in Virginia. A portion of the sale of these plates has previously supported the neo-Confederate organization Sons of Confederate Veterans.' #CivilWarMemory www.wavy.com/news/virgini...

The National Women's History Museum is seeking K–12 educators committed to building rigorous, primary source-based lessons that place women's history at the center of the American story. Selected participants receive a $350 honorarium. Learn more at: womenshistory.org

So this is what Trump's interpretation of Unconditional Surrender looks like. It's not quite what Ulysses S. Grant meant by it. apnews.com/article/iran...

I strongly endorse. Thanks, Peter.

My calendar, in support of my forthcoming biography of Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Sept. 29) is filling up fast. Let me know if you would like to schedule an event for your high school/university, historical society, museum, library, street corner pedestal, etc. cwmemory.com/events/

Y’all, the preorder links for The Political Supreme Court are here! Direct from UNC Press: uncpress.org/978146969713... Bookshop: bookshop.org/p/books/the-... Amazon: a.co/d/08lXOMa7 Barnes & Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-politi...

Did we just get played by Iran? MAGA: Make America Grovel Again.

You can never go wrong.

Comparing President Trump’s unhinged and erratic threats to destroy Iran couldn’t be further removed from the planning and execution of Sherman’s march through Georgia. #CivilWarMemory kevinmlevin.substack.com/p/even-gener...

You can now pre-order my forthcoming biography of Robert Gould Shaw direct from @uncpress.bsky.social and they are now running a 30% off sale. Perfect timing. What a thrill to see it listed in the "Civil War America" series. uncpress.org/978146969717...