We invite you to enjoy our ongoing series of public history webinars. These online events bring history to life through stories from renowned scholars and best-selling authors. Our webinars cover exciting topics, including the workings of the U.S. Capitol, untold tales of historical figures, and pivotal moments that have defined the American experience.
Keep an eye on our website, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on social media for the latest event updates and webinar schedules. We have recordings of each webinar readily available on our YouTube Channel.
December 12, 2024
Discover the Untold Story of the Metalworkers Who Shaped America's Capitol Dome
Join us for a fascinating webinar on the little-known history of the metalworkers who crafted the iconic drum of the United States Capitol Dome—and the Baltimore company that played a pivotal role in shaping the early American cast iron industry. In this program, we will discuss historian Steven Swett’s new book The Metalworkers: Robert Poole, His Ironworks, and Technology in 19th-Century America (Baltimore Museum of Industry), with illustrations by Stephen Marchesi, which explores the contributions of Robert Poole, an Irish immigrant who founded one of the most influential ironworks in the United States.
November 21, 2024
The Life of USCHS Co-Founder Congresswoman Marguerite Stitt Church
Watch a compelling story from Christine Wolf, the co-author of a new biography, Politics, Partnerships, and Power: The Lives of Raph E. & Marguerite Stitt Church. This book tells the political life of the Honorable Marguerite Stitt Church, one of the founders of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society and one of the first 50 women elected to Congress. This is the very first biography of a twentieth-century powerhouse couple who, with visionary and persistent methodologies and hearts, gave four decades of legislative service and established much of Illinois’ dedicated political tradition. Spanning everything from the awkward dance of prohibition in Evanston to Marguerite Stitt Church’s involvement in the creation of the Peace Corps — with a particular focus on her remarkable legacy as a pioneer for women in government — this historical nonfiction is both a resource and a gripping delight.
November 14, 2024
Native American Sculptures in the Capitol with historian Fred Poyner IV
Watch our latest webinar with historian and author Fred Poyner IV as he discussed his book, Native American and First Nation Figures in Sculpture. Poyner explored the significance of Native American sculptures in the U.S. Capitol, including statues of Chief Standing Bear, Sarah Winnemucca, and Sacajawea, and shared the stories behind their selection and the artists who created them. Fred Poyner IV is an independent historian and grant writer for the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and has written several books on public sculpture. He holds a BA in Art History and an MA in Museology, and his work is recognized for preserving Indigenous and Nordic heritage
October 29, 2024
Rebels at the Gates: The Confederacy's Final Gamble and the Battle to Save Washington
Watch our latest book talk with historian Dr. Robert Watson! Dr. Watson’s new book, Rebels at the Gates, brings to life the daring Confederate attempt to invade D.C. in the final year of the Civil War. With the South facing imminent defeat, General Robert E. Lee devised a bold plan to shift the war’s outcome: a surprise attack on Washington, D.C., hoping to force a truce on Confederate terms. Dr. Watson shared the thrilling details of this operation, from the Union’s scramble to defend the capital to President Lincoln’s brush with danger.
October 17, 2024
Lincoln and Immigration with Harold Holzer
Join us for an insightful webinar with acclaimed Abraham Lincoln historian Harold Holzer as he explores Lincoln’s complex relationship with immigration during the Civil War era. In the decades leading up to the war, ten million immigrants reshaped America’s demographics, economy, and politics—sparking both progress and intense nativist backlash. Lincoln’s political journey, marked by his initial ties to a nativist party and eventual evolution into an immigration advocate, offers profound lessons for today.
October 10, 2024
Presidential Grave Hunter: One Kid's Quest to Visit the Tombs of Every President and Vice President
Ever wondered what drives someone to visit the final resting place of every US president? Watch the video recording of our latest event for an entertaining book talk with Kurt Deion, Educational Specialist at the Historic Congressional Cemetery and a young history enthusiast turned “Presidential Grave Hunter!” Fascinated by the U.S. presidents since a young age, Kurt embarked on a mission to visit each chief executive’s burial site. Both his grave quest and his love of history expanded over time.
October 3, 2024
Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American Politics
To the framers of the Constitution, political parties were a fatal threat to republican virtues. They had suffered the consequences of partisan politics in Britain before the American Revolution, and they wanted nothing similar for America. Yet parties emerged even before the Constitution was ratified, and they took firmer root in the following decade. In Founding Partisans, master historian Dr. H. W. Brands has crafted a fresh and lively narrative of the early years of the republic as the Founding Fathers fought one another with competing visions of what our nation would be.
September 26, 2024
JFK, Oswald, and Ruby:The 60th Anniversary of the Warren Commission
Watch our webinar featuring Judge Burt W. Griffin as he shared his unique insights from his role with the Warren Commission on the investigation into President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the events involving Jack Ruby and Lee Harvey Oswald. During the webinar, Judge Griffin discussed his latest book, JFK, Oswald, and Ruby: Politics, Prejudice, and Truth, which explores the conflicting ambitions of key figures in the assassination and reveals how his thorough investigation led him to conclude that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Little Known Fact: The U.S. Capitol Historical Society (USCHS) now occupies the same office suite the Warren Commission used during its investigation into President Kennedy’s assassination.
September 19, 2024
The War Within: Journalist Jamie Stiehm Shares Her January 6th Experience
Watch our conversation with journalist Jamie Stiehm, as she shares her experience inside the Capitol on January 6th, 2021, as chronicled in her book, The War Within: What I Witnessed From Inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. On that day, public officials and members of the press, including Stiehm, were caught in the midst of unprecedented turmoil within the U.S. Capitol. Through her deeply reflective columns, Stiehm recounts the events as they unfolded, providing a journalist’s perspective on the tensions leading up to that day, and the lasting impact it has had on the nation.
August 25, 2024
The Evolution of Voting Rights: 23rd, 24th & 26th Amendments | Harvard Historian Dr. Alex Keyssar
Another exciting and informative installment in our Amendment Series with professor of History and Social Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, Dr. Alex Keyssar, who will help us break down three integral constitutional amendments that have aided in shaping American democracy over the past 60 years. Elections are a vital part of American democracy and American society. For hundreds of years, Americans have fought to exercise their constitutional right to vote and participate in said democracy.
August 8, 2024
Changing the Presidency: Understanding the 20th, 22nd, & 25th Amendments
Watch our latest installment in our Amendment Series with Dr. Brian Kelt, who will give us insight into three fundamental constitutional amendments that have defined the American Presidency as we know it today. Presidential inaugurations on January 20th, a limit of two four-year terms, and a clear line of succession are all things we have come to view as integral aspects of the American Presidency. However, it is essential to remember that not all these elements were ingrained in our Constitution. It took the 20th, 22nd, and 25th Amendments ratification in 1933, 1951, and 1967 to set these constitutional parameters for the Presidency. Dr. Kalt, an expert in constitutional law relating to the Presidency, explained what these less-than-100-year-old amendments mean for the Commander and Chief.
July 25, 2024
"American Covenant" Explore the Power of the Constitution with Dr. Yuval Levin
Watch our webinar on Carlos Orta’s new book, From Havana to DC, in our latest book talk on congressional history. From Havana to DC: The Rise of Cuban Americans in Florida Politics is a “love letter” to the first group of Cuban Americans appointed or elected to political and public office from Miami.
July 18, 2024
"American Covenant" Explore the Power of the Constitution with Dr. Yuval Levin
Watch our recent webinar with renowned author and scholar Dr. Yuval Levin. We’ll explore how the Constitution continues to shape our national identity and governance in today’s world. Dr. Levin shares insights from his latest book, “American Covenant,” offering a timely reflection on how our founding principles can guide us toward a more unified future.
June 27, 2024
When Women Won the Right to Vote: A New Look at the 19th Amendment
When women secured the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, it did not grant them the right to vote, despite common belief. Surprisingly, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly guarantee the right to vote. So, what exactly did this amendment achieve? Watch our recent webinar on the #19thamendment, part of our ongoing Constitutional Amendment Series, which explores each amendment’s historical context and impact on the U.S. Constitution. We were honored to host Dr. Lisa Tetrault, Associate Professor of History at Carnegie Mellon University and a leading suffrage scholar.
June 20, 2024
Congressional Women's Softball Game with Congresswomen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Cheri Bustos
Join us for a webinar on the Congressional Women’s Softball Game, featuring former players and 2024 game announcers, USCHS Trustee and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. This bi-partisan competition between Members of Congress and the Washington, D.C. press corps raises vital funds for young women battling breast cancer.
June 13, 2024
John Quincy Adams: A Militant Spirit
Few figures in American history have held as many roles in public life as John Quincy Adams. The son of John Adams, he was a brilliant ambassador and secretary of state, a frustrated president, and a dedicated congressman who staunchly opposed slavery. Watch our recent webinar featuring author and journalist, James Traub, as we discuss his new book, “John Quincy Adams: Militant Spirit.” Traub draws on Adams’ diaries, letters, and writings to evoke his numerous achievements and failures in office. A man of unwavering moral convictions, Adams is the father of foreign policy “realism” and one of the first proponents of the “activist government.” But John Quincy Adams is first and foremost the story of a brilliant, flinty, and unyielding man whose life exemplified admirable political courage.
June 6, 2024
Filibustered!: Insights from ACLU’s Mike Zamore, Former Chief of Staff to Senator Jeff Merkley
For centuries, the Senate was a deliberative body where tough issues were debated. Senators could speak at length and propose amendments, and then the Senate would vote. However, the filibuster, once a rare act of defiance, has become a tool for routine gridlock. Watch our webinar on author Mike Zamore’s new book, “Filibustered!: How to Fix the Broken Senate and Save America,” in which Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Zamore share the insider’s story of the Senate’s historic functionality and its decline into gridlock due to the filibuster.
May 23, 2024
Opening Remarks - Native American Suffrage Symposium
Watch the opening remarks of our Native American Suffrage Symposium by Jane L. Campbell, President and CEO of USCHS. The event begins with a prayer led by Larry Wright Jr., an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and former tribal chairman with 11 years of service. Wright now serves as the executive director of the National Congress of American Indians.
May 23, 2024
Stanford Law's Elizabeth Hidalgo Reese Yunpoví on the Struggle for Native American Voting Rights
Elizabeth Hidalgo Reese Yunpoví (Tewa: Willow Flower), a leading expert in American Indian tribal law. In her talk at the Native American Suffrage Symposium, Reese explores the relationship between tribal nations and U.S. political institutions, highlighting how historical policies have denied Native Americans fundamental rights, including the right to vote. Reese questions why tribal governments are excluded from the U.S. democratic framework and advocates for their rightful representation. Her analysis offers a fresh perspective on integrating tribal nations into the constitutional order, making this a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of identity, race, citizenship, and government structure.
May 23, 2024
Lunchtime Discussion: Native American Representation in National and Local Narratives - Symposium
The U.S. Capitol Historical Society’s Native American Suffrage Symposium, commemorating the centennial of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. This landmark law declared as citizens all “Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States.” Watch as Dawson Her Many Horses, head of Native American Banking at Wells Fargo, and Kevin Gover, Undersecretary for Museums and Culture at Smithsonian Institution, engage in a compelling lunchtime discussion about Native American representation in predominant national narratives. They debunked old myths about Native American history at Thanksgiving through Little Big Horn; shined light on Native Americans’ historic contribution to U.S. military service; and unpacked newer Native American representations in modern culture, from Oscar-nominated actor Lily Gladstone’s role in “Killers of the Flower Moon” to the hit series “Reservation Dogs.”
May 23, 2024
Sovereignty in the 21st Century - Native American Suffrage Symposium
The U.S. Capitol Historical Society’s Native American Suffrage Symposium, commemorating the centennial of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. This landmark law declared as citizens all “Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States.” Larry Wright Jr., Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians, emphasized the importance of civic education to help tribal governments and communities adjust to the changing dynamics of Congress, the administration, the country, and economics, stating that “we’re voting for people who understand and defend our issues.” The Hon. Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, concluded by noting the strong results when Native Americans use their vote to uplift their communities and public servants from Indian Country. He affirmed that “not only does it benefit Native people, it benefits the United States.”
May 23, 2024
Suffrage, Activism, & the Law Today - Native American Suffrage Symposium
John Echohawk, Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund, highlighted how U.S. policies of “termination and assimilation” evolved into a push for greater tribal sovereignty, which continues to be pursued through lobbying and legal action. Echohawk also explored the challenges to suffrage that still exist for Native American communities, highlighting their advocacy efforts and strategies for effecting change in this crucial area. The discussion was expertly moderated by Jennifer Romero, Majority Staff Director for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, who facilitated a nuanced exploration of these complex topics.
May 23, 2024
Native American Citizenship, Suffrage, & Sovereignty through History - NA Suffrage Symposium
Historians provided a comprehensive analysis of Native American citizenship, suffrage, and sovereignty in the context of and beyond the Snyder Act. Dr. David Silverman, a History professor at George Washington University, detailed how, even before the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, there were numerous efforts to “civilize” and dispossess Native Americans. Citizenship often seemed like an “empty promise,” even by 1924. Dr. Lila Teeters Knolle, History lecturer at Harvard University, added that opponents of citizenship feared the imposition of a foreign cultural and political system, while proponents saw it as a “simple act of justice to render to the Indian that which has long been due.”
May 15, 2024
Bootleggers and Gangsters: The Rise & Fall of Prohibition
The Prohibition Era, spanning from 1920 to 1933, marked a tumultuous period in American history with the nationwide ban on alcohol production and sales. Difficult to enforce and widely disobeyed, Prohibition lasted almost 14 years before the 21st Amendment repealed it. Watch the latest installment in our Amendment Series with author and historian Garrett Peck, where we discussed the 18th and 21st Amendments. Known for his role in making the Rickey Washington, DC’s official cocktail in 2011, Peck will draw insights from his book, “Prohibition in Washington, DC: How Dry We Weren’t,” which features compelling stories about the hidden world of speakeasies and bootleggers, including the intriguing tale of George Cassiday, the congressional bootlegger who inspired Green Hat Gin, and the vibrant jazz-infused nightlife of U Street.
May 9, 2024
Exploring a Dystopian Future: NPR's Ron Elving & Harvard Law's Alan Jenkins Discuss '1/6' Comic Book
Watch our latest webinar with USCHS Trustee and NPR News Senior Editor and Correspondent Ron Elving, who moderated a fascinating discussion with Harvard Law Professor and author Alan Jenkins about his groundbreaking new series, “1/6: The Graphic Novel.” Written by Jenkins and New York Times bestselling author Gan Golan and illustrated by veteran comic book artist Will Rosado, “1/6” answers the question: What if the January 6 Insurrection had been successful? This graphic novel chillingly demonstrates how strategic disinformation and extremism convinced ordinary Americans to undermine cherished constitutional values and support violent sedition. Inspired by speculative fiction such as 1984, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Twilight Zone, and Parable of the Sower, “1/6” explores themes of autocracy, scapegoating, and more, all presented through a captivating, character-driven story.
April 25, 2024
Under the Dome with the 10th Architect of the Capitol, Alan Hantman
The domed U.S. Capitol Building is recognized worldwide as America’s most iconic symbol, the forum for representative democracy, and the physical stage for transferring executive power. Watch our latest webinar featuring Alan Hantman, the 10th Architect of the Capitol from 1997 to 2007, to discuss his upcoming book, “Under the Dome: Politics, Crisis, and Architecture at the United States Capitol.” Together, we explored how the Capitol building underwent numerous renovations and expansions under Hantman’s guidance as the official entrusted with preserving and enhancing this historic landmark and the surrounding grounds of Capitol Hill.
April 11, 2024
Exploring the 17th Amendment: The Journey to Direct Senate Elections
Watch our recent webinar with Katherine A. Scott, PhD, from the U.S. Senate Historical Office, to learn about the 17th Amendment and how it transformed American democracy and governance. Ratified on April 8, 1913, the 17th Amendment represents a significant shift from the framers’ original vision of a state legislature-elected Senate to one directly elected by the people. The direct election of senators corrected significant flaws in the political system, making the Senate more responsive, representative, and less susceptible to legislative stalemates, corruption, and special interests. The 17th Amendment not only made the Senate more democratic but also reflects the Constitution’s dynamic nature in adapting to society’s needs and demands. Dr. Scott detailed the Amendment’s journey, its immediate and enduring effects on American electoral politics, and its role in reshaping the dynamics between state and federal powers.
April 4, 2024
Interpreting Divisive Historic Monuments with Celebrity Historian Raffi Andonian
Watch our webinar with Celebrity Historian Raffi Andonian where we explored the controversial history of Confederate monuments in the United States. Despite ongoing efforts, statues honoring individuals who served the Confederacy, including Jefferson Davis and Alexander Hamilton Stephens, still stand in the U.S. Capitol. Advocates have called for their removal, with several replacements already approved or in progress, such as Johnny Cash replacing Uriah Milton Rose from Arkansas and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune replacing Edmund Kirby Smith from Florida. Efforts are also underway to replace Robert E. Lee’s statue, which was removed in 2020, with a statue of Barabra Rose Johns from Virginia.
March 7, 2024
The CIA, FBI, Mafia, and the Kennedys: Senator Frank Church's fight to save democracy
Watch our interview with journalist Thomas Risen and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter James Risen, co-authors of “The Last Honest Man: The CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedys―and One Senator’s Fight to Save Democracy.” Together, we explored Senator Frank Church’s courageous stand against abuses of power by the CIA, FBI, Mafia, and the Kennedys. For decades now, America’s national security state has grown ever bigger, ever more secretive and powerful, and ever more abusive. Only once did someone manage to put a stop to any of it.
February 29, 2024
Behind the Scenes of January 6th with NBC's Ryan Reilly | Sedition Hunters
Watch our webinar featuring author and NBC reporter Ryan Reilly where we discussed his latest book, “Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System,” a compelling exploration into the unprecedented events that unfolded on January 6th, 2021. Reilly provided insights into the complex dynamics at play in the aftermath of that day and the ongoing challenges to the American justice system. The attack on the Capitol building following the 2020 presidential election was an extraordinarily large and brazen crime. Conspiracies formed on social media in full public view, and the individuals involved paraded on national television with undisguised faces while influential figures openly cheered them on. The event exposed vulnerabilities in our justice system, which was overwhelmed by the sheer number of participants and the widespread perception that their actions were justified.
February 8, 2024
The Evolution of Income Tax: Understanding the 16th Amendment with Legal Historian Dr. James Ely
Watch the most recent installment in our Amendment Series featuring Dr. James Ely, a renowned legal historian and property rights expert. Dr. Ely’s award-winning scholarship has examined American legal culture and Supreme Court history, including his 2023 article “One of the Safeguards of the Constitution: The Direct Tax Clauses Revisited.” Together, we explored the historical context of the 16th Amendment and learned its significance at the time of its ratification in 1913 and its impact on the American economy and society. Ratified in 1913, the 16th Amendment granted Congress the authority to issue an income tax without determining it based on population. This Amendment fundamentally changed how the federal government is funded, moving from domestic and international tariffs to an income tax system. Following the Civil War, Congress struggled to bridge the growing economic gap between southern and western farmers and eastern industrial growth. Several income taxes were passed but repealed until 1909 when conservatives proposed a constitutional amendment that was eventually ratified in 1913.
February 1, 2024
Mansfield and Dirksen: Bipartisan Giants of the Senate
We invite you to watch our recent webinar featuring historian and author Marc C. Johnson where we discussed his latest book, Mansfield and Dirksen: Bipartisan Giants of the Senate. The U.S. Senate is so sharply polarized along partisan and ideological lines today that it’s easy to believe it was always this way. But in the turbulent 1960s, even as battles over civil rights and the war in Vietnam dominated American politics, bipartisanship often prevailed. One key reason: two remarkable leaders who remain giants of the Senate—Republican leader Everett Dirksen of Illinois and Democratic leader Mike Mansfield of Montana, the longest-serving majority leader in Senate history.
January 25, 2024
Honoring Holocaust Remembrance Day: Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, Daughter of a Holocaust Survivor
Watch a special webinar to recognize Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27th). We were honored to have Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, as she shared her inspiring story. Her father, Congressman Tom Lantos, was the only Holocaust survivor elected to the U.S. Congress and the former chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
January 2024
Extending the Right to Vote: The 15th Amendment's Enduring Impact on Voting Rights
Discover an insightful episode featuring Dr. Terry Anne Scott, an award-winning historian, author, and influential speaker. We continued our series on the U.S. Constitution to explore the profound impact and enduring legacy of the 15th Amendment. Ratified in 1870 as the last of the Reconstruction Amendments, the 15th Amendment prohibits the denial of a citizen’s right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Despite its ratification, state laws, literacy tests, poll taxes, the “grandfather clause,” and voter intimidation continued to prevent African Americans from exercising their voting rights. Dr. Scott explains why this amendment was crucial in the fight for equality and how it addressed but did not fully resolve the barriers to voting in the aftermath of the Civil War. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn why the 15th Amendment was necessary to solidify voting rights for all and how it remains relevant in today’s fight for a fair and inclusive democracy.
