America's dumbest war (no, not this one) I wrote a book on the forgotten founding father Gouverneur Morris, who thought James Madison was "intoxicated by opium or wine" in his military efforts. Fortune · Sep 13
Ranking the 10 First-Year College Football Coaches Under the Most Pressure Entering 2026 Patience is in short supply and after a dizzying carousel spin last season, this group will be in the spotlight to find success this year. Sports Illustrated · Aug 21
No Second Amendment Right to Export Guns (Including to Haiti) "John Adams, Oliver Ellsworth, Rufus King, Albert Gallatin, Robert Morris, James Monroe, Joseph Story, Jonathan Trumbull, James Madison, Henry Clay, [and] John Quincy Adams ... knew a thing or two about the Constitution." Reason · Aug 12
Why James Madison Wanted Greater Limits on States' Rights The “father of the Constitution” worried about federal and state overreach. Reason · Aug 6
SCOTUS Said You Can't Lose Gun Rights for Smoking Pot. But You Could Still Lose a Government License To Work. An old drug conviction could still stop you from waxing eyebrows, cutting hair, or giving massages. Reason · Jul 20
After 1776, the founders designed a government that accounts for ‘a degree of depravity in mankind’ The parades, reenactments and fireworks are over. And in the aftermath of Americans’ celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is important to recognize that the declaration was only the first step in making a unified country. The Conversation · Jul 16
For nearly 250 years, the US has had eyes on Latin America – but interventions then looked rather different Since the beginning of the second Trump administration, the United States has ramped up military, economic and political interventions in Latin America. The Conversation · Jul 13
From Augustine to Jefferson, the idea of separating church and state has deep religious and secular roots The Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission released its report on June 26, 2026, on the state of religious freedom in the United States, declaring it to be under attack. The Conversation · Jul 2
America's 250th birthday has Elon Musk and a record IPO. Its 15th had Alexander Hamilton — and a stock market bubble Dek: In 1791, a polarizing immigrant visionary sparked America's first stock bubble on the nation's 15th birthday. Is history rhyming, 235 years later? Fortune · Jul 2
1776 All-Stars: Patrick Henry Knew To Fear American Kings Henry's warning about presidential powers is especially prescient today. Reason · Jul 2
SCOTUS papers over the Second Amendment The Court's conservative majority turns to “history and traditions” to ignore the obvious — again Salon · Jul 1
The Gun That Won the Revolution The American Long Rifle was accurate at long distances, unlike British smoothbores. Reason · Jun 28
America's Founders Blended Liberalism and Religion If the fusionist account of history is correct, the anti-fusionists are engaged in a far more radical project than most of them are willing to admit. Reason · Jun 21
Second Amendment Roundup: Gun Ban for Pot Users Unconstitutional Supreme Court decides 9-0 that marijuana use per se fails to support firearm prohibition. Reason · Jun 19
Reason · Jun 13 Disillusioned Revolutionaries: Many Founders Died in Despair About the American Experiment America's Founders helped create a world they were not yet ready to live in.
Reason · Jun 11 1776 All-Stars: Why Thomas Jefferson Is the Most Fascinating Founder The author of the Declaration of Independence may have written "the greatest sentence ever."
The Conversation · Jun 8 As America approaches its 250th anniversary, The Federalist remains an indispensable guide to understanding the constitutional system and the nation’s enduring independence More people are talking about the Declaration of Independence now than they likely have for decades, largely because of the festivities, exhibits, historical commemorations and other public events associated with the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence.
Fortune · May 26 America turns 250 with a dangerous new problem: We no longer agree on what's real From Paul Revere to deepfakes, shared reality has always been the hidden infrastructure of American democracy and markets. AI is dismantling it faster than institutions can respond.
Reason · May 22 President Trump Doesn't Need Congressional Approval for His Actions as to Iran Congress can only stop Trump’s actions in Iran by passing a concurrent resolution of both Houses over Trump’s veto, or by declining to fund the war in next year’s budget.
The Conversation · May 19 What Jefferson and Madison would have thought about ‘rededicating’ the US to God Thousands of Americans prayed on the National Mall on May 17, 2026, during “Rededicate 250”: a day-long rally to “come together in prayer and worship ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday,” as organizers described it. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, one of many Republican politicians and conservative Christian leaders to…
Ballotpedia · May 15 Drawing lines: A look at the methods, precedents, and history of redistricting Welcome to the Friday, May 15, 2026, Brew.
The Conversation · May 4 A democracy or a republic? History shows that some Americans are asking the wrong question As the nation observes its 250th birthday, historians can help settle one present-day dispute: Is the United States a democracy or a republic?
Sports Illustrated · Mar 19 March Madness: Five Bold Predictions for Women’s NCAA Tournament Round of 64 Here are some surprise developments to look out for on Friday and Saturday.
Texas Observer · Mar 17 A Wall That’s Worth Defending Some evangelical Christians are hammering away at the very church-state separation that allowed them, and other believers, to first flourish in America.
The Conversation · Mar 9 What James Madison can teach Americans about religious freedom today As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, debates about religious freedom continue to occupy the center of American public life.