Photographs as Primary Sources: Reading Images for Historical Evidence
How historians use photographs as primary sources, from the Pit Brow Girls of 1893 to modern archival practice, revealing the power and pitfalls of visual evidence.
Jerry S. Green
Women in Chile’s 1973 Political Crisis: Protests, Resistance, and Daily Life
Drawing on women’s memories, oral histories, and contemporary reports, this article reconstructs how Chilean women experienced the 1973 political crisis—from anti-Allende marches and pro-Allende resistance to the coup’s brutal aftermath—revealing a gendered history of protest, survival, and memory.
The Last Day of Salvador Allende: Eyewitness Accounts of the Bombing of La Moneda
Based on the testimonies of the doctors, detectives, and police officers who were inside the Palacio de La Moneda on September 11, 1973, this article reconstructs the final hours of President Salvador Allende — from the 3:30 a.m. meeting at Tomás Moro to the bombing of the palace and the president’s last decision.
The British Press and the Korean War: From the Manchester Guardian to the Daily Express
Drawing on contemporary reports, eyewitness accounts, and the archives of the Manchester Guardian, Daily Express, and others, this article reconstructs how British newspapers covered the Korean War, shaped public opinion, and reflected a nation’s fears of atomic conflict and communist ‘brainwashing.’
Radiation Sickness: How Doctors and Survivors Grappled with the Invisible Effects of the Bomb
Drawing on Japanese medical reports, Red Cross records, and eyewitness accounts, this article explores how doctors and survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki confronted radiation sickness—an invisible killer that officials tried to hide.
London 1945: A City Rebuilding from the Blitz
In 1945, Londoners emerged from the rubble of the Blitz to face a city of broken landmarks and vast ruins. Using contemporary reports and official records, this article explores how the capital’s residents lived, feared, and hoped in the final months of the war and the first days of peace.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall Through Eyewitness Accounts
On November 9, 1989, a confused announcement from East Germany triggered a spontaneous rush to the Berlin Wall. Through the eyes of BBC reporters, a border guard, and ordinary citizens, this article reconstructs the night the Wall fell, capturing the euphoria, fear, and uncertainty of a world on the brink of change.
The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake As Survivors Saw It
Drawing on diaries, letters, and eyewitness reports, this article reconstructs the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire through the words of those who lived through it, revealing their fears, confusion, and resilience.
Giant Leap for Mankind: How the World’s Press Reported the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
Drawing on front pages from American, British, and international newspapers, this article reconstructs how the Apollo 11 moon landing was reported and experienced on July 20–21, 1969, revealing the awe, excitement, and national pride that defined the moment.
How to Read Maps as Primary Sources: Unlocking the Past Through Cartography
Maps are far more than geographical representations—they are primary sources that reveal the knowledge, biases, and ambitions of their creators. This article draws on historical guides and archival practice to show how to analyze maps as evidence of past worldviews.