Category Archives: History in the Media

Phrygian Cap Still Used as Revolutionary Symbol

Posted on March 9, 2011 by briansandberg

The Phrygian cap is still being used as a revolutionary symbol, more than 200 years after the French Revolution.  Stéphane Hessel recently wore a Phrygian cap while speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally. This story is very timely for my HIST … Continue reading →

Posted in Comparative Revolutions, French History, French Revolution and Napoleon, History in the Media | 1 Comment

Robert Darnton Comments on Egyptian Revolution

Posted on March 7, 2011 by briansandberg

French historian Robert Darnton recently commented on the ongoing Egyptian Revolution.  Historians of the Ancien Régime and the French Revolution, including David Bell and James Collins, have been actively considering various comparisons between the French Revolution of 1789-1794 and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Comparative Revolutions, French Revolution and Napoleon, History in the Media | Leave a comment

NIU History Professor Discusses Wisconsin Labor Battles

Posted on March 6, 2011 by briansandberg

Professor Rosemary Feurer contributed to a New York Times article this weekend on “Wisconsin’s Legacy of Labor Battles.” Professor Feurer is a labor historian and a colleague of mine in the Department of History at Northern Illinois University.  Feurer argues … Continue reading →

Posted in History in the Media, Humanities Education, Northern Illinois University | Leave a comment

Attacks off Somalia and the History of Piracy

Posted on February 26, 2011 by briansandberg

Another piracy attack off the coast of Somalia has resulted in renewed questions about the dynamics of modern piracy and possible approaches to curbing Somalian pirates’ activities.  Some are now advocating aggressive naval and military intervention by the United States … Continue reading →

Posted in History in the Media, History of Violence, Piracy | Leave a comment

Props and Historical Films

Posted on February 26, 2011 by briansandberg

Props are key to establishing the “look” of the past in historical films.  But, how are props selected and used in films? A new NPR story examines the prop-masters in Hollywood who research, collect, and catalog period objects for use … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film | Leave a comment

Director of the Archives Nationales Departs

Posted on February 23, 2011 by briansandberg

Le Monde reports that the Director of the Archives Nationales in Paris has departed.  The Archives Nationales has been embroiled in a political fight over the installation of a historical museum in the Hôtel de Soubise, home of the Archives … Continue reading →

Posted in Archival Research, History in the Media | Leave a comment

Marginalia at the Newberry Library

Posted on February 21, 2011 by briansandberg

The Newberry Library is in the news again, with a feature on its collection of marginalia appearing in the New York Times today.  The story highlights the importance of studying marginal comments in books and raises questions about how e-marginalia … Continue reading →

Posted in Archival Research, History in the Media | Leave a comment