Advocacy Actions
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May 2, 2025
AHA Letter Opposing Texas SB 37
April 29, 2025
Information Exchange about the NEH Appeal Process
Supporting History & the Work of Historians in 2025
Historians Respond to Federal Actions
AHA members are providing important historical context and insight to the public on the recent actions by the federal government.
Tracking Federal Actions Affecting History
The AHA is tracking information on federal actions and their impact on history and education.
Resources for Federal Historians
The American Historical Association supports historians employed by the federal government.
Resources for Foreign Scholars
Historical work is best done in a context of free exchange across the globe. Current conditions affecting foreign scholars and international travel can inhibit that free exchange. This document offers resources that might help individuals and departments navigate these difficult international situations, especially regarding travel and academic freedom.
AHA Initiatives
Teaching History with Integrity
Through Teaching History with Integrity, the AHA leads or participates in several initiatives to provide resources and support for history educators facing intensifying controversies about the teaching of the American past.
Freedom to Learn
The AHA’s Freedom to Learn initiative educates historians and others on how to advocate publicly for honest history education, responds directly to the bills themselves, and creates resources to help teachers directly affected by these bills think about how to maintain the integrity of their history courses.
Advocacy at the Federal Level
The AHA is committed to honest history—in the classroom, in public memory, and through the many programs through which the federal government supports research.
AHA State History Standards Support
As part of its mission to promote historical thinking in public life and professional integrity in history education, the American Historical Association monitors and offers guidance on state-level academic frameworks.
AHA Testimony Before Legislatures & Boards of Education
“You cannot censor your way to great schools.”
Julia Brookins (AHA) before the Texas State Board of Education
AHA staff and Council members have written articles and made public appearances highlighting the challenges teachers and educators face from legislation restricting the teaching of “divisive concepts" and issues related to teaching history with integrity.
Congressional Charter
In 1889, the American Historical Association was incorporated in the District of Columbia by an act of Congress: “for the promotion of historical studies, the collection and preservation of historical manuscripts and for kindred purposes in the interest of American history and of history in America.” The act provided that the association should have its offices in Washington, DC, and that it should make reports regarding historical matters to the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, who should then transmit to Congress such reports as he or she saw fit.
Historians Speak Out
Teaching with Integrity: Historians Speak
These videos feature historians describing how exploring America's past honestly in the classroom benefits the nation's students, and how the freedom to learn also strengthens our shared democracy.
Teaching Spotlight: Confronting a Nation's Past
Katharina Matro, a high school social studies teacher who grew up in Germany, explains how consistent and open education about the Holocaust has shaped her own commitment to democracy and her love of country. Matro has served as a member of the Teaching Division of the American Historical Association's governing council.
AHA Media Appearances & Publications
AHA staff and Council members have written articles and made public appearances highlighting the challenges teachers and educators face from legislation restricting the teaching of “divisive concepts" and issues related to teaching history with integrity.
Advocating for History Education: Insights for Historians
In the ongoing battle over "divisive concepts" legislation in schools, historians find themselves on the front lines. This panel provides historical context for this controversy and helps equip historians with the tools they need to advocate effectively for the professional integrity of history education in the United States.
Support the AHA's Advocacy Efforts
The AHA is unique among history organizations with the breadth and depth of our advocacy efforts. Our advocacy work is more critical now than ever before, and we need your help. If you believe in the importance of honest history education, please join the AHA as a member or donate to the AHA's Advocacy Fund to support our advocacy work.
Policies & Principles
Advocating for the Discipline
The American Historical Association’s mission to enhance the work of historians also encompasses professional standards and ethics, innovative scholarship and teaching, academic freedom, and international collaboration.
The American Historical Association provides leadership for the discipline and promotes the critical role of historical thinking in public life. The Association defends academic freedom, develops professional standards, supports innovative scholarship and teaching, and helps to sustain and enhance the work of historians.
AHA News
Perspectives on History
Read articles on advocacy issues in Perspectives.
For the Press
Access press releases issued by the AHA and other resources for the media.