Department of History

In the early days of modern computers, the Simulmatics Corporation manipulated technology to mine data, affect the news, and influence voter and consumer preferences. Sound familiar? The tech titans of today have formidable ancestors. Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, interviews Harvard University’s Jill Lepore.

Watch lectures online from the new interdisciplinary class "2020: The Course."

This week at the UW, attend the Katz Lecture, a lecture on the nuclear arms race, and more.

ENGL 285, a unique creative writing class that features the expertise of professional writers, is highly recommended by its students.

Margaret O’Mara, history professor, discusses Amazon's pandemic hiring spree.

This week at the UW, attend Ladino Day 2020 and watch the Meany Center's presentation of Ragamala Dance Company.

Drinks on tap, rock-climbing walls, gourmet cafeterias — perks are a hallmark of many desirable workplaces. But when workers are not in the office to actually enjoy them, companies are being forced to reevaluate their incentives and work culture. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

This week at the UW, listen to a faculty Beethoven trio and lectures by Rick Steves.

President Trump has refused to concede the election and allow President-elect Biden to start the transition process. Today, the “Seattle Now” podcast asks what history can tell us about what will happen next. Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.

Washington Republicans woke up after Election Day to a crushingly familiar math problem bedeviling their prospects in statewide races: a cratering of support in King County. The UW’s Jake Grumbach, assistant professor of political science, and Margaret O’Mara, professor of history, are quoted.

Margaret O'Mara, professor of history, explains the history behind election concessions and what a refusal to concede means.

“Starting this summer, Seattle Colleges has made damaging cuts to programs and staff across the district. Staff have been furloughed, making fall quarter registration and financial aid difficult for students. Programs that serve working-class Seattle, like culinary arts and parent education, are on the chopping block. These types of cuts hurt the most vulnerable students and communities in Seattle the hardest,” writes Michael Reagan, a history instructor at the UW and Seattle Colleges.

Professor of History Margaret O’Mara and Vice Provost Ed Taylor discuss what history can teach us about the 2020 election.

English Professor David Crouse and Devin Naar, professor of history and Jewish studies and chair of the Jackson School’s Sephardic Studies Program, are featured in this article for their professional accomplishments.

It was 101 years ago that the American public was riveted by the health of the United States president. Woodrow Wilson was described on the Oct. 2, 1919, front page of The Spokane Chronicle as experiencing “restlessness.” It would take months before the public learned the 63-year-old had experienced a paralyzing stroke. Margaret O’Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.