Topic: U.S. History

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
20 most obscure team nicknames in pro sports

Most pro team nicknames make sense at some level. But there are a fair number of head-scratching nicknames. Here are 20 with explanations on their selection:
Top 5 bull markets since 1929

The bull market that started in 2009 is currently the fifth most spectacular rise in stock prices since at least 1929. Can you guess which bull markets have been even more impressive?
10 reasons NOT to love books (compliments of H.L. Mencken)

Books may seem universally beloved, but these historical persons, from Martin Luther to Woodrow Wilson, weren't such big fans.
Thomas Jefferson: 16 quotes on his birthday

Here are 16 quotes to mark the birthday of American founding father Thomas Jefferson.

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Zig Ziglar: 10 quotes from the motivational author

Ziglar died Nov. 28, 2012 after penning many self-help books and speaking around the country. Here are 10 quotes from the author.
Opinion: To avoid fiscal cliff, Obama and GOP should compromise like Founding Fathers (+video)

President Obama and John Boehner express optimism that a budget deal to avoid the fiscal cliff will be reached, but gridlock threatens. Politicians would do well to remember that America was established by men who sorely disagreed. Consider the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Bestselling books the week of 11/29/12, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best at independent bookstores across America.
Top Picks: 'Friends' on Blu-ray, Led Zeppelin live DVD, and more

Relive all of 'Friends' with the new Blu-ray set, learn about Thomas Jefferson in Jon Meacham's new biography 'Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power,' and more top picks.
Decoder Wire Has the White House turkey pardon jumped the shark? (+video)

The annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, dating back to JFK, is now a highly choreographed affair, involving two turkeys, their 'bios,' and a Facebook vote to decide who gets to be the official White House bird.
'Lincoln': 6 actors who won Oscars for portraying historical figures

'Lincoln' actor Daniel Day-Lewis is already a frontrunner for this year's Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the sixteenth president. Here are a few other actors who took home a statuette when they portrayed real people.
Decoder Wire Ron Paul stands with secessionists. But how many are there, really?

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, a bastion of secessionist sentiment, issued a statement in defense of state petitions to secede from the US, citing American 'principles of self-governance.'
Opinion: Thanksgiving Day Proclamation 2012 from President Obama

In giving gratitude for 'the God-given bounty that enriches our lives,' Americans should remember the 'indelible spirit of compassion and mutual responsibility that has distinguished our Nation since its earliest days.' Washington's and Lincoln’s 'expressions of unity still echo today.'
Briefing
Petraeus scandal: Did anything illegal happen? Five questions so far.

An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has now called into question the private lives and careers of two of the nation’s top national-security officials. Here is an accounting of what is known so far.
Thomas Jefferson

Biographer Jon Meacham captures Thomas Jefferson as a person, not just a historical figure.
Bestselling books the week of 11/15/12, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best at independent bookstores across America.
If your side lost the election, time to secede from the Union?

That will never happen, but people on the losing side of the presidential election are venting via a petition, on a White House website, to have their state secede from the Union. Petitioners in Texas lead the pack.
Bram Stoker books: 9 things you didn't know about the 'Dracula' author

Bram Stoker is the godfather of the vampire craze, but the writer is often a mystery to modern readers. Here are 9 facts you probably don't know about the author.
Election 2012: 12 reasons Obama won and Romney lost

President Obama went into his reelection fight facing significant head winds – most important, high unemployment and slow economic growth. But for a multitude of reasons, including Obama’s positives and Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s negatives, Obama succeeded. Here’s our list.
Decoder Wire Election results 2012: Who won it for Obama? (+video)

Exit polls find that a key to Obama's victory was winning 93 percent of African-Americans, 71 percent of Hispanics, and 73 percent of Asians. Mitt Romney took most of the white vote, which is 72 percent of the electorate. But it wasn't enough.
Energy Voices Are gas prices lower under Democratic or Republican presidents?

Gas prices have varied from $1.70 to $3.40 a gallon over the past 100 years of presidents, according to a new infographic. Can you guess who was in office when average gas prices were at their highest? Their lowest?
Opinion: Election day: Most predictions of the next four years will be wrong (+video)

As President Obama or Mitt Romney will discover, the only predictable thing about foreign and domestic events is unpredictability. Woodrow Wilson didn't foresee World War I. Jimmy Carter called Iran an 'island of stability.' Terrorism got only brief mention in the 2000 Bush-Gore debates.
'When America First Met China' and 'The Great Railroad Revolution'

Two new books explore how US found its way toward and past the horizon.
11 best books of November, according to Amazon's editors

What are the best books to pick up this month? From fiction to nonfiction, Amazon's editors suggest the titles that they believe are the cream of the crop.
Opinion: It's almost Nov. 6. Do you know what books Obama and Romney have been reading?

John F. Kennedy, Harry S. Truman, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson – many of America's presidents were avid readers, and that informed their decisions. It gave them critical perspective. Americans should be curious about the reading habits of President Obama and Mitt Romney.
Hillary Clinton: 10 quotes on her birthday

Here are 10 quotes from Hillary Clinton – politician, public servant, and US Secretary of State.
Foreign affairs: 23 new books I wish Obama and Romney would read

In preparation for the upcoming presidential debate on foreign policy, check out these 23 books that offer the kind of nuance and context mostly overlooked during a campaign.
Chapter & Verse 'CBS This Morning Reads' kick off with ‘Team of Rivals’

'CBS This Morning' launched their new interactive book club, 'CBS This Morning Reads.'
Presidents and the economy: Who was best, worst? Take our quiz.

Presidents are judged at the ballot box and in history books by how well the economy performs during their tenure. Can you guess which president fared the best? The worst?
Editor's Blog Election 2012: Choose a future, any future

If you have diligently read the position papers, listened to the speeches, and watched the debates, by now you know a lot about both candidates for president. That's good citizenship -- but it doesn't necessarily mean the next four years will unfold the way you think.