On 27 March 2025, United States president Donald Trump signed the executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” a broadside attack on rigorous historical interpretation at the Smithsonian museums and other federally managed historical sites. It takes particular aim at histories that consider racism, gender, or hierarchy as important categories of analysis and decrees that federally funded historical research and commemoration should “focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people,” rather than “degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.”
Trump’s executive order is the latest salvo in a wide-ranging battle over “truth” and “sanity” in history that extends far beyond the United States. Around the world, resurgent nationalist movements have identified history as crucial terrain in the elaboration of their political programs. The rise of conspiracy theories and misinformation has amplified the situation.
These contests are playing out in Canada too, with Canadian particularities, such as the lasting appeal of residential school denialism to those who wish to paint a rose-tinted portrait of Canadian history.
How did we get here? How does this situation shape our work as historians? And where do we go from here?
On Wednesday, April 16, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM EST, please join us for a virtual roundtable discussion on these questions.
Registration Required. Register at this link.
Panelists:
Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey, McGill University
Sean Carleton, University of Manitoba
Steven High, Concordia University
Nancy Janovicek, University of Calgary
Moderators:
Samia Dumais, Histoire Engagée and Concordia University
Laura Madokoro, Active History and Carleton University
Co-sponsors:
Canadian Historical Association | Société historique du Canada
Histoire Engagée
Active History