Mark Couvillon Unveils the Untold Story: Patrick Henry's First Marriage and Sarah Shelton's Struggles

Get a factual history of Patrick Henry's first marriage to Sarah Shelton, whose mental health was agonizing.

Oct 11, 2024

Meet James Madison: 3 Perfect Insights To Introduce Him on the WAHISA Blog

Our 4th US President, James Madison was as complex as any of our founding fathers. Here are 3 perfect insights to introduce him to history lovers.

Oct 07, 2024

September 27th in American History: A Look Back During Hurricane Helene

While history is happening, I'm taking a look back at what happened on September 27th in American history.

Sep 27, 2024

Revolutionary Perspectives: Discovering the American Revolution Through 18th Century Letters

History is made up of humans. It's why reading 18th century perspectives of the American Revolution is fascinating!

Sep 26, 2024

Seeing History Firsthand: Jefferson and Lafayette's Letters in Special Collections

Sometimes you just want to actually see a letter in person. Especially if it was written by someone like Thomas Jefferson.

Aug 02, 2024

Thomas Jefferson Pursuing Happiness: A Review and A Request

What was Thomas Jefferson thinking as he penned the Declaration of Independence? Colonial Williamsburg may have a performance that offers insight.

Jul 31, 2024

On the Minds of 18th Century Americans July 20th: Direct Quotes from the Washingtons, Jefferson and More.

Cornwallis' retreat was brought to Washington's attention and Jefferson was discussing the value of books. What else was happening on July 20th in American history?

Jul 20, 2024

Primary Sources: July 15th in Daily Life... Early America

Primary sources exist for July 15th and every day! Check out diary entries from George Washington and letters written during the American Revolution- all around July 15th.

Jul 19, 2024

Have You Read Many Newspapers from Early America? Start Here.

Early American newspapers chronicle America in a unique way- and the Library of Congress gives us all access for free.

Jul 08, 2024

June 29, 1776: The Day Patrick Henry Was Chosen to Be Governor of Virginia

On June 29th 1776, the summer of American Independence, Patrick Henry became the first non-royal governor of Virginia. Read the words he had for those who chose him.

Jun 29, 2024

An 18th Century Mace: the Silversmiths' Project for Celebrating 2026

How are an 18th century mace from South Carolina, silversmithing, and Colonial Williamsburg's 2026 celebration connected?

Jun 18, 2024

This is the 87th Post on My What American History Is About Blog: Let's Talk 87s.

For my 87th post on this American history blog, let's look at 1687, 1787 and 1987 in American history.

May 31, 2024

May 20th in American History: 2 Posts Over 2 Days Honoring Random Dates Because Why Not?

King George III responded with Intolerable Acts and other bits of American history that happened on May 20th.

May 20, 2024

Equine Lessons from the Courthouse Green: Insights on Horses in the American Revolutionary War

The history of horses in American society is long. If you want a glimpse into their existence during the American Revolutionary War, this post is for you.

May 17, 2024

April 19th in American History: What Happened?

If you're an American history nerd, this post highlighting events from March 29th is for you!

Apr 19, 2024

Advertisements in Virginia Gazettes: Insights from the Capital City of the Largest Colony During the Revolutionary Period

What better way to peek into daily life during the Revolutionary era than seeing what was advertised in Williamsburg's Virginia Gazette?

Apr 17, 2024

Kicking Off VA 250 Inside Williamsburg's Reconstructed Capitol is History in Itself

The March 2024 event in Colonial Williamsburg that was the ultimate immersion into American history.

Mar 20, 2024

Celebrating the Marquis de Lafayette: 1824 to 2024

If you haven't gotten to know the Marquis de Lafayette, 2024 is the year as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his 1824 American tour.

Mar 15, 2024

The Final Breakfast: An End to Dunmore and Washington

New research is shining more light onto the friendship between George Washington and Virginia's last Royal Governor.

Mar 11, 2024

A Review of "Witness to the Revolution" by Michael Cecere and Jennifer Cecere: Insights from a Blogger

Michael and Jennifer Cecere's Witness to the Revolution is an historical fiction novel you don't want to miss.

Feb 11, 2024

Year 24s of American History: Let's Review 1624, 1724, 1824, and 1924 as 2024 Kicks Off!

As we kick off 2024, the What American History Is About blog reviews the 24th years of the last 400 years.

Jan 10, 2024

December 15th in American History: Celebrating the Victory at Yorktown in 1781

On December 15th 1781, Williamsburg celebrated the victory at Yorktown. What else happened on this day in history?

Dec 15, 2023

The Most Powerful Tribute: Honoring and Supporting Veterans of the United States Military and Their Families

No matter how you do it, take the time to honor veterans of the U.S. Military and their families - every day of the year.

Nov 14, 2023

3 Cool Primary Sources That Are Not the Declaration of Independence but Are Fascinating Bits of American History

3 primary sources that are just as important as the Declaration of Independence in our American history.

Nov 09, 2023

The Jefferson Triumvirate of Williamsburg

Who influenced, supported, and taught Thomas Jefferson? Meet his Williamsburg triumvirate and get a taste.

Oct 10, 2023

The Spy Whose Powerful Decision Helped Get an American Victory at Yorktown: Meeting James Armistead Lafayette

Have you met James Armistead Lafayette? He was the spy who helped us at Yorktown and shouldn't be forgotten.

Oct 09, 2023

Notes on How Decisions to Take Action Impacted American History

What if our founding fathers procrastinated? My personal procrastination on a marketing project inspired a post about decisions to take action in American history.

Sep 24, 2023

September 21 in American History: The Traitor Becomes a Traitor,  Reagan Speaks and the King of Horror Is Born

When did Benedict Arnold become a traitor to America? September 21st 1780. See what else happened that day!

Sep 18, 2023

Putting this Blog into Context: A Quick Note About the 13 Colonies

Let's have a quick chat about the 13 colonies to put this American history blog in context.

Sep 17, 2023

4 Things I Learned from the Colonial Williamsburg Gunsmiths- A True Gem of a Trade

The Colonial Williamsburg gunsmiths make early American guns lock, stock, and barrel and share insight into the era!

Sep 15, 2023

The Scotchtown Post: Insight into Patrick Henry and the Place He Lived for a Few Pivotal Years

Have you visited Patrick Henry's Scotchtown? He only lived there for a few years, but they were pivotal ones.

Sep 09, 2023

A Visit to One of the Most Historical Sites Around: Berkeley.

Have you visited the ancestral home of 2 presidents? Take a peek into the Harrison home in Charles City Virginia and soak in some history.

Aug 20, 2023

George Washington: What Was He Thinking as He Left the Presidency?

What thoughts did Washington have about our United States after eight years as President? Start grabbing some history here.

Aug 17, 2023

August 7th: A Day in American History

What happened in American history on August 7th? A few events to talk about at the water cooler and at the dinner table!

Aug 07, 2023

3 Names From American History You May Not Know but Should Learn

Do you know Peyton Randolph died so John Hancock's signature replaced his? I'm sharing 3 names from American history you may not know but should.

Jul 25, 2023

Things to Love About the Raleigh Tavern, Past and Present

Past meets present when you visit the Raleigh Tavern, an 18th century reconstruction showing off the Daphne and Apollo rooms, where liberty happened.

Jul 16, 2023

Freedom Is Not Free: A Grandfather in Maine Created an Evergreen Movement Reminding the World

If we are talking about American history, Wreaths Across America's Mobile Education Exhibit deserves a mention.

Jul 07, 2023

Music in History: All-American From the Start of our United States

How did music start out in early America? It was all-American from the beginning!

Jul 13, 2023

Musings on Liberty: A Quick Post Celebrating Independence Day

If we're discussing what American history is about, liberty must be discussed as we celebrate Independence Day.

Jul 04, 2023

Honor the Frenchman Who George Washington Cherished as a Lifelong Friend This 4th of July!

The Marquis de Lafayette, Washington's friend for life and why we should honor him on Independence Day.

Jun 28, 2023