The Organization of American Historians promotes excellence
in the scholarship, teaching, and presentation of American history.

OAH Signs Amicus Curiae Brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

The Organization of American Historians, along with the American Historical Association (AHA), has become a signatory to an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. This brief, based on decades of study and research by professional historians, aims to provide an accurate historical perspective as the Court considers the state of Mississippi’s challenge to a woman’s right to abortion that was affirmed by the Court in Roe v. Wade.

Given the significant role that history played in Justice Harry Blackmun’s majority opinion in Roe v. Wade, the OAH-AHA brief aims to present the court with an accurate account of the history of abortion in the early United States and the process by which abortion was made criminal. “The OAH is committed to the principle that the past is a key to understanding the present, and has an interest—as a steward of history, not as an advocate of a particular legal standard—to ensure that the Court is presented with an accurate portrayal of American history and traditions,” the brief’s interest statement notes.

The Supreme Court will hear the case on December 1.

Read the Brief

Statement on Graduate Student Organizing

The Organization of American Historians (OAH) recognizes and supports graduate students as integral members of our community of historians. Given their dual status as both historians in training and as workers, the OAH affirms the right of graduate students to organize and bargain collectively in pursuit of improved material conditions of work and equitable treatment at their home institutions.

The OAH remains committed to advocating for all members of the historical profession, and thus urges university leaders to acknowledge through their actions the value and dignity of the labor performed by graduate student workers in history departments across the country.

Read the Statement

"Reframing History" Report, Toolkit, and Recording from February 26 Event Now Available

"Reframing History," a new resource to help the field more effectively communicate what history is and why it matters, is now available. The recording from the Saturday, February 26, event with Clint Smith, The Atlantic, Martha S. Jones,  Johns Hopkins University, Jorge Zamanillo, HistoryMiami, and Anthea Hartig, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, can be viewed on AASLH's YouTube Channel.

Watch Here