July 30-31, 2022: July 2022 Recap

[A Recap of the month that was in AmericanStudying.]

July 4: 4^th of July Contexts: Slavery and the Declaration: A series for the 4^th kicks off with important historical contexts for the Declaration’s frustrations, and why they remain nevertheless.

July 5: 4^th of July Contexts: The Adams Letters: The series continues with the myths and realities of the Revolution reveals in the Adams letters.

July 6: 4^th of July Contexts: Fireworks: The histories, symbolisms, and limitations of an American tradition, as the series celebrates on.

July 7: 4^th of July Contexts: Born on the 4^th of July: Three cultural evolutions of a classic, complex American phrase.

July 8: 4^th of July Contexts: “What to the Slave is the 4^th of July?”: The series concludes with the stunning speech that challenges us just as much today as it did 170 years ago.

July 9-10: 4^th of July Contexts: Patriotism in 2022 America: A special weekend post thinking about three of the types of patriotism I explored in my most recent book!

July 11: Investigative Journalists: Fanny Fern: For Ida B. Wells’ birthday, a journalism series kicks off with a series that isn’t perfect but is pretty darn impressive nonetheless.

July 12: Investigative Journalists: Nellie Bly: The series continues with a rightly famous work of investigative journalism and one that should be.

July 13: Investigative Journalists: Ida Tarbell and Muckraking: Why muckraking exemplifies investigative journalism at its best, as the series writes on.

July 14: Investigative Journalists: David Halberstam in Vietnam: A moment of genuine courage that reflects a broader role of wartime journalists.

July 15: Investigative Journalists: A.C. Thompson and ProPublica: The series concludes with a fictional character who helps us recognize one of our best current journalists and institutions.

July 16-17: Investigative Journalists: Ida B. Wells: On Wells’ bday, a special tribute post that highlights my favorite of her many impressive and inspiring moments.

July 18: UtahStudying: Indigenous Utah: For Salt Lake City’s anniversary, a UtahStudying series kicks off with three of the many indigenous communities that have called the region home.

July 19: UtahStudying: National Parks: The series continues with striking stories and histories behind a few of the state’s stunning landscapes.

July 20: UtahStudying: The Golden Spike: Promontory Point, propaganda photos, and the power of posterity, as the series rolls on.

July 21: UtahStudying: SLC Punk!: An underrated indie film’s sociological studies, and whether they’re specific to this week’s focal subject.

July 22: UtahStudying: Sports Franchises: The series concludes with ambiguities in sports, Utah, and America revealed by three beloved teams.

July 23-24: UtahStudying: The Founding Mormons: On SLC’s anniversary, a special weekend post on a few complex contexts for that founding community.

July 25: Christmas (Songs) in July: Fraught Favorites: To commemorate the release of “White Christmas,” a holiday hits series kicks off with what’s lurking beneath the cheery lessons of some favs.

July 26: Christmas (Songs) in July: “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bells”: The series continues with two versions of the holiday revealed by two 1930s hits.

July 27: Christmas (Songs) in July: Mariah and Marketing Christmas: An authentically wonderful holiday ballad that inaugurated a frustrating tradition, as the series sings on.

July 28: Christmas (Songs) in July: Hanukkah Songs: A handful of classics and newer hits to help celebrate the Festival of Lights.

July 29: Christmas (Songs) in July: “White Christmas”: For the anniversary of the best-selling single of all time (!), a couple reasons for the smash song’s enduring success.

Next series starts Monday,

Ben

PS. Topics you’d like to see covered in this space? Guest Posts you’d like to contribute? Lemme know!