| Department of History

History students create podcast for 250th anniversary of the U.S., gain valuable career skills

2026-07-06

During the spring 2026 semester, Department of History lecturer Shannan Mason surprised students with a special project for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Instead of writing papers, they would create a...

From history major to law firm partner

2026-06-23

Q&A with alumnus James A. Snyder

The tragedy of James Person

2026-06-12

Charcoal drawing featuring Person running away from his assailants.

Alumnus Renatto Carr studies history of anti-Black violence in the Midwest

Professor Jerry Dávila to lead the Humanities Research Institute

2026-06-08

Jerry Dávila, an expert in Latin American history and a leader in global humanities, will become the next director of the Humanities Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on August 16, 2026, pending Board of Trustees approval....

Graduate student finds love for history through fencing

Alyssa Hirsch explores the stories of fencing coaches who emigrated from the Soviet Union — and finds her passion for teaching at Illinois.

Read more about Graduate student finds love for history through fencing

Graduate student finds love for history through fencing

2026-06-01

Alyssa Hirsch explores the stories of fencing coaches who emigrated from the Soviet Union — and finds her passion for teaching at Illinois.

History faculty and staff receive College of LAS funding for undergraduate public and digital history research

2026-06-01

Several faculty and staff members in the Department of History have received funding from the College of LAS PURSUE initiative to support public and digital history programs for undergraduate...

Emeritus professor James Barrett awarded Lifetime Achievement Award from Illinois State Historical Society

2026-05-29

Jim Barrett with a photo of Abraham Lincoln

James R. Barrett, an emeritus professor of history and African American studies and a scholar in residence at the Newberry Library, has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois State Historical Society (...

Barbarians, silver, and relationships in the Roman Empire

2026-05-28

Q&A with professor Ralph Mathisen

Congratulations to our 2026 senior thesis cohort

2026-04-21

Senior thesis cohort group photo at Illini Union.

Congratulations to our 2026 seniors for completing their honors theses! The Department of History's Honors Program provides outstanding students with a high level of faculty and peer support and offers them numerous opportunities to present their work in public and to be recognized for their...

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