Department of History

Alaina Roberts in a black top against a gray background
Pitt Professor of History Alaina E. Roberts says people are usually stunned to learn that five Native American tribes in what’s now Oklahoma owned Black slaves in the 1800s. In a forthcoming book, Roberts digs into her own ancestry with the tribes to upend the traditional story of Reconstruction.
Alvin Liu crouching near a body of water, next to shrubbery
In his new book, longtime plant collector and Pitt junior Alvin Liu offers an in-depth look at the wild carnivorous plants that thrive in the New Jersey Pinelands.
Ervin Dyer outdoors in a light blue dress shirt and tie
A pilot program that connects students in an Introduction to Africana Studies course to residents in the Hill District is helping create a bridge from the University to the community.
several folded newspapers over a gray background
From local to national news outlets, Pitt people have been sought-after sources in stories about the election. Read what they’ve have to say.
A hand holding an "I Voted" sticker
Election Day 2020 is sure to be one for the history books. Pittwire asked a handful of students and faculty: What are you doing on Nov. 3?
A woman in an orange shirt leaning against a brick wall
While Pennsylvania was in the midst of COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, Pitt senior Gina Watkins was digging into the reasoning behind past quarantine measures—finding racism and xenophobia were major players in policy decisions.
A person in a blue shirt holds up their hands with the words "Stop Racism" written on them.
As fall term begins, first-year Pitt students will be required to take a new course on anti-Black racism. The class, open to all students, is centered around the roots, ideology and resistance to anti-Black racism.
Laura Lovett in a black and white top
As the U.S. celebrates the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, historian Laura Lovett draws parallels to today’s activism and the years of work that ultimately secured women the right to vote. Plus, the University Library System offers resources on the centennial.