A Western History Timeline

A western history timeline is a convenient way to get an overview of the major events in western civilization’s development. However, any such timeline is a simplification. For one thing, any period can be considered as a “western” period even though it may have a different culture or language. For another thing, historians artificially divide…

The History of the West is Not As Simple As it Seems

The history of the West is all around us. It is written in our textbooks, encoded implicitly into children’s stories and Hollywood movies, and proclaimed loudly and sometimes angrily by commentators on both sides of the political spectrum. But it is a version of history that is all too often wrong. For centuries, Western historians…

The Western Union History

The company that we now know as western union began operations in 1851 as a telegraph business. It added money transfer services in 1871 and became a global leader in both areas. The company has been through many changes, including mergers and acquisitions. It is now a publicly-traded company with a strong presence in the…

The USC Libraries Collection of Western Europe History

Western europe history is the social and cultural development of a large group of European countries. Historians use terms such as the “Romantic Era”, “Middle Ages” and “Enlightenment” to describe periods in the evolution of European societies. The USC Libraries collects materials primarily in print that support teaching, research and learning in the study of…

The Benefits of Western History Association Membership

For over six decades the Western History Association has brought together teachers, academic historians, public historians, students, and enthusiasts to further study of the North American West in its many aspects and broadest sense. Today the WHA has over 4,000 members, including individuals and organizations in universities, museums, libraries, non profit agencies, and other institutions….

Top Western History Museums

A western history museum houses and showcases a wealth of artifacts from a region that is deeply embedded in America’s national culture. These institutions also serve as cultural centers that are dedicated to preserving and educating the public on the importance of the American West. From iconic figures such as Buffalo Bill to the literary…