Hard to believe but #SHEAR2026 in Philly starts in two weeks. Are you going and want to pitch a piece to Commonplace or just chat about publishing in a history journal? I will be around all weekend, so please reach out here or at commonplacejournal @ gmail. 🗄️ commonplace.online/about/

The July 2026 issue of 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑦 (WMQ) explores recently discovered correspondence that reveals John Dickinson's earnest yet ultimately unsuccessful bid to prevent the Revolutionary War through diplomacy: vastearly.am/4ePgyHT @nytimes.com

For comparison, I lived in DC in the late 1990s for grad school and remember dropping in on the Romanian booths at the summer 1999 Smithsonian Folklife Festival down on the mall. It was much busier (as seen in this image) and I remember getting the thrill of standing next to Gheorghe Mureșan.

This is giving Sunday morning panel at the AHA vibes.

Depeche Mode being Depeche Mode in this soccer match, surrounded by brightly adorned fans, has made my entire week. Be the Personal Jesus you want to see in this world.

Mel, buckle your borscht belt.

I see that today's Bluesky conversation concerns how much shrimp can be eaten and while I don't have a shrimp-themed 19th century bank note, I am posting this Civil War era shinplaster with an overflowing basket of lobster, crab, and oysters. Allentown Bank, PA, $.03, December 1, 1863.

I take responsibility for the first half and yes, the ref is worse in person.

Well this is more convenient than yelling at my tv.

You've markied your last biz.

Historians are looking back on the American Revolution for the 250th anniversary, but Bruce Dearstyne asks a different question in a new Commonplace piece. How did historians understand the causes of the revolution 100 years ago during the sesquicentennial era?🗄️ commonplace.online/article/what...

Historians are looking back on the American Revolution for the 250th anniversary, but Bruce Dearstyne asks a different question in a new Commonplace piece. How did historians understand the causes of the revolution 100 years ago during the sesquicentennial era?🗄️ commonplace.online/article/what...

On my way to a World Cup watch party at a Norwegian friend’s house. What to wear?

Happy Father's Day. Today's post celebrates the fathers out there with a bank note from Minnesota that features a central vignette of a father with his child on his back and shoulders. Enjoy the day and rest that back. Bank of Northfield, MN, $5, 18--. #FathersDay

Happy Father's Day. Today's post celebrates the fathers out there with a bank note from Minnesota that features a central vignette of a father with his child on his back and shoulders. Enjoy the day and rest that back. Bank of Northfield, MN, $5, 18--. #FathersDay

Anti-Catholic Nativist and failed mayoral candidate Samuel Morse patented his telegraph OTD in 1840. His portrait later appeared on this note from the railroad department of a telegraph school that taught Morse Code among other things. Shermans' Telegraph College, Oberlin, OH, $1, January 1, 1876.

Anti-Catholic Nativist and failed mayoral candidate Samuel Morse patented his telegraph OTD in 1840. His portrait later appeared on this note from the railroad department of a telegraph school that taught Morse Code among other things. Shermans' Telegraph College, Oberlin, OH, $1, January 1, 1876.

Advertise your Blusesky account with a Simpsons gif

Glad that we have tickets to the US vs Turkiye match. A stress free game with a potentially wacky lineup.

My World Cup hot take is that Columbia manager Néstor Lorenzo looks a lot like Mark Linn-Baker (cousin Larry from Perfect Strangers).

It is the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, so I am posting this bank note with an elaborate central vignette featuring a version of John Trumbull's famous The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775. Farmers & Mechanics Bank, Hartford, CT, 18--.

Name a TV show you're positive no one remembers but you.

It is the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, so I am posting this bank note with an elaborate central vignette featuring a version of John Trumbull's famous The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775. Farmers & Mechanics Bank, Hartford, CT, 18--.

To see what goes wrong when scam currency outfits get banking privileges, please read anything that I have written on 19th century shinplasters such as this $5 note from The Dixon, "Chartered by the state of Illinois" and supposedly redeemable at their "banking house" that was actually a hotel.

For the Knicks victory this weekend, I am posting notes from a bank named after Washington Irving (w/ his home Sunnyside) who popularized "Knickerbocker" and one with that name and vignettes of the NYC City Hall and Middle Dutch Church. Knickerbocker Bank and Irving Bank, New York, NY, $10, 18--.

For the Knicks victory this weekend, I am posting notes from a bank named after Washington Irving (w/ his home Sunnyside) who popularized "Knickerbocker" and one with that name and vignettes of the NYC City Hall and Middle Dutch Church. Knickerbocker Bank and Irving Bank, New York, NY, $10, 18--.

With the start of the World Cup last night and the usmnt playing today, I am posting this bank note and its lovely vignette of the mythological character Learning with a book and a lovely cup that she is holding up to the sky. Planters and Mechanics Bank of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, $50, 18--.

With the start of the World Cup last night and the usmnt playing today, I am posting this bank note and its lovely vignette of the mythological character Learning with a book and a lovely cup that she is holding up to the sky. Planters and Mechanics Bank of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, $50, 18--.

And here it is, my belabored retrospective on Gordon Wood. Of course they changed the title, as magazines do. I preferred "How Gordon S. Wood Became the Rhetoric and Reality of the American Revolution" but knew it probably wouldn't fly. newrepublic.com/article/2115...

Also see the Colored Conventions topic page at Commonplace to learn more about the movement that Bouie discusses. It includes teaching and analytical articles and an introduction to the Colored Conventions Project by co-founders P. Gabrielle Foreman and Jim Casey. commonplace.online/topic/colore...

WHITESIDES: The truth is the cheapest form of energy on a per unit basis is daytime solar. Is that not true? CHRIS WRIGHT: It depends-- WHITESIDES: No it doesn't depend! It's true. You are amazingly misleading the American public. WRIGHT: It depends-- WHITESIDES: No!

My author copies of the paperback of _I Have Avenged America_ arrived! (Read it to learn why the Haitian #WorldCup soccer jerseys were rejected as "political") The official release date is July 13! @yalepress.bsky.social

It is Samuel Slater's birthday. He introduced the Rhode Island System of family textile production utilizing water-powered machines in the Blackstone Valley. He appears on this note next to one of his mills and a woman with cloth from bank named for him. Slater Bank, North Providence, RI, $5, 18--.

Not retail but spent 13 straight days working inside the Haunted Castle at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the early 90s with the organ music from Phantom of the Opera on a 3 minute loop.

It is Samuel Slater's birthday. He introduced the Rhode Island System of family textile production utilizing water-powered machines in the Blackstone Valley. He appears on this note next to one of his mills and a woman with cloth from bank named for him. Slater Bank, North Providence, RI, $5, 18--.

I’m rarely at a loss for words but today I don’t have many for the enormity and the complexity of Gordon Wood’s legacy - I was inspired by his work even as I agreed with about 1/2 and was often irritated by the rest. RIP. A real one. www.brown.edu/news/2026-06...

What’s your sign?

With the news that Anthony Head of Buffy, Merlin, and Ted Lasso fame has passed away, I am remembering him today with a five by five dollar Civil War era bank note from an institution that was planned but actually never opened. Bank of Giles, Pearisburg, VA, $5, 186-.

Unfortunately the Supreme Court has declared that unless you write "For Bribe" or "Quid Pro Quo" in the memo section of the check that you use for your political bribe, it is not a crime.

This is a cat check point. Relinquish your most recent cat picture on your phone.

With the news that Anthony Head of Buffy, Merlin, and Ted Lasso fame has passed away, I am remembering him today with a five by five dollar Civil War era bank note from an institution that was planned but actually never opened. Bank of Giles, Pearisburg, VA, $5, 186-.

Rough news today.

In an interesting new Commonplace piece, James Blake stumbles upon a page in John F. Watson's scrapbook that at first seems to be about Lenape history, but with more investigation really offers more about the antiquarian construction of Lenape history. 🗄️ commonplace.online/article/past...

Have you checked out our 2026 Summer Reading Sale yet? Save 40% on books and 25% on journal subscriptions from now through June 12! https://www.pennpress.org/2026-summer-reading-sale/

Merge two movies: Big Trouble in Little China Syndrome

Ok. After two 81-1 lineups, I was able to get an 82-0 team and realized that the decade matters a lot. Here it is: Russell Westbrook - 2020s MJ - 1980s Dominique Wilkins - 1990s Kevin Durant - 2010s Wilt Chamberlain - 1960s www.82-0.com

In an interesting new Commonplace piece, James Blake stumbles upon a page in John F. Watson's scrapbook that at first seems to be about Lenape history, but with more investigation really offers more about the antiquarian construction of Lenape history. 🗄️ commonplace.online/article/past...

My book -- and all the other wonderful titles from @pennpress.bsky.social -- are 40% off for the next couple weeks. A screaming deal!! Just use the promo code PENN-SUMMER26. 📚😎💸

Our Man in Havana

REPEAT: If you’re a Californian who is planning to vote remotely, it’s too late to mail in your ballot. Take it to a drop box or any voting center by 8 pm on June 2.