History Stories

Welcome to the History By Mail story library — original research and short reads behind the replica documents we send our subscribers, organized by era. Prefer your history delivered? Explore our subscriptions or browse prints & documents.

Revolutionary War & the Early Republic

From the roots of revolution to Jefferson's years in France — documents and stories from America's founding era.

• America 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom
• George Washington's Small Beer Recipe
• George Washington: Father of Our Nation
• Roots of Revolution
• The Early American Postal Service
• The History of the Fourth of July
• The History of the Louisiana Purchase
• The History of Washington's Birthday
• Thomas Jefferson
• Thomas Jefferson's Homemade Ice Cream Recipe
• Thomas Jefferson's Macaroni Recipe
• Thomas Jefferson's Time in France

Civil War & 19th-Century America

Battles, proclamations, and the remarkable figures of nineteenth-century America.

• Annie Oakley: The Legendary Sharpshooter
• Civil War: Unraveling Slave Patents
• Confederate Ships in China
• Emily Dickinson's Black Cake Recipe
• Fort Sumter: The Battle That Started the Civil War
• Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
• Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation
• Lincoln's Thai Elephants
• Native Tribes in the Civil War
• Sherman's Christmas Gift to Lincoln
• Susan B. Anthony's Legacy
• The Appomattox Surrender
• The End of the Civil War
• The Hopi Land Petition
• The Impeachment of President Johnson (1868)
• The Indian Removal Act and Worcester v. Georgia
• The Legend of Buffalo Bill
• The Mexico Treaty: History and Impact
• The Resolute Desk: A Gift from Queen Victoria
• The Transcontinental Railroad Commemorative Stamps
• Thomas Edison's Light Bulb Patent

World War I & the Early 20th Century

Telegrams, trailblazers, and wartime heroes from the turn of the century through the Great War.

• Cher Ami: The WWI Pigeon Who Saved Lives
• Decoding the Zimmermann Telegram
• Edith Roosevelt's Sweet Potato & Hollandaise Recipes
• George Washington Carver's Peanut Butter Recipes
• Harry Houdini
• Jeannette Rankin's Journey to Congress
• John Muir
• The Role of Rationing in World War I
• The Wright Brothers: History of Flight
• Theodore Roosevelt's Sketches

The Great Depression & World War II

Code talkers, secret operations, and the home front of the Second World War.

• Amelia Earhart: Trailblazing Aviator
• D-Day and the Normandy Invasion
• Eleanor Roosevelt's Baked Goods Recipes
• Hedy Lamarr: Inventor and WWII Innovator
• Shirley Temple: Child Star and Diplomat
• The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
• The Navajo Code Talkers of WWII
• The Secrets of the Z Plan
• The Trinity Test: History and Controversies
• The Untold Story of Operation Cornflakes
• Women in World War II

Civil Rights & the Modern Era

The Civil Rights Movement, the Space Race, and the documents that shaped modern America.

• JFK's Fascinating Life
• John Glenn's Journey to the Stars
• Julia Child's Pain de Mie Recipe
• Lady Bird Johnson's Buttermilk Pie Recipe
• Letter from Johnny Cash to President Ford
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day History
• Pat Nixon's Cheesecake Recipe
• Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement
• Rosa Parks' 'Featherlite' Pancake Recipe
• The Apollo Mission: Journey to the Moon
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964
• The Gemini Space Program
• The Legacy of Jackie Robinson
• The Legacy of Thurgood Marshall
• The March on Washington
• The Mercury Space Program

Holidays & Traditions

The surprising histories behind the holidays we celebrate.

• Halloween History and Traditions
• Thanksgiving History and Traditions
• The History of Hanukkah
• The History of Labor Day
• The History of Memorial Day
• The History of Mother's Day and Father's Day
• The History of New Year's Eve
• The History of Veterans Day

Sports & Pastimes

How America's favorite games and pastimes began.

• History By the Glass: Cocktail Source Library
• The History of Baseball
• The History of Basketball
• The History of Football
• The History of Golf
• The History of Skiing
• The History of Surfing

More American Stories

Presidential curiosities, national parks, and other stories from the archive.

• Chart of Vice Presidential Vacancies
• David Copperfield
• Hawaii's History and Key Events
• Presidential Succession in US History
• The Grand Canyon
• The Untold Story of Alaska
• Yellowstone National Park

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Looking for a specific date? Visit our This Day in History index, or read the latest stories on our blog.