History

How one Canadian’s misplaced signature caused a diplomatic incident at the end of WWII
On Sept. 2, 1945, the Japanese and the Allies gathered to mark the official end of WWII. The process went smoothly until Col. Lawrence Cosgrave signed his name on the wrong line.
A walk through a Smithsonian museum reveals American genius and cruelty as Trump presses for change
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington explores the complexity of America's past. The museum's mission is to present a nuanced view of history. President Donald Trump wants a simpler narrative focused on American pride and achievement.
The long recovery on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, ‘ground zero’ for Hurricane Katrina
While much of the focus marking 20 years since Hurricane Katrina is on New Orleans, where federal levees failed and flooded the city, the historic storm also decimated the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Venus Williams to get new Barbie as part of Inspiring Women collection
Venus Williams has a new Barbie, this one part of the dollmaker’s Inspiring Women collection. Williams’ doll, to be released on Friday, will celebrate the tennis great and pay equity champion with a doll wearing the uniform she wore while winning Wimbledon in 2007. 
Alaska was once a full-fledged Russian colony. Now it’s hosting a U.S.-Russia summit
Russia lost a war in Crimea in the 1850s. To pay off war debts, Russia sold Alaska to the U.S. Now presidents Trump and Putin will meet Friday in Alaska to discuss another war involving Crimea.
‘They are remembered’: Hundreds gather to honor Ojibwe who died 175 years ago
175 years have passed since what is now known as the Sandy Lake Tragedy, an event that unfolded during the 1850 removal of Lake Superior Ojibwe tribes by the U.S. government. For the last two decades, descendants and allies have gathered at Big Sandy Lake near McGregor in remembrance. 
60 years later, Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters face new threats
Sixty years after the Voting Rights Act became a landmark law against racial discrimination, legal challenges heading to the Supreme Court could curtail its remaining protections for minority voters.
Hurricane Katrina was a catalyst for change in New Orleans’ public defender office
Hurricane Katrina exposed longstanding flaws in the New Orleans criminal justice system. In the 20 years since, there has been dramatic change in the public defender office.