Three topics this week:

• VA Governor Ralph Northam's statement that the Africans brought to Virginia in 1619 were indentured servants

Last Drops

Frank: Edinburgh history alumni

David: "The Savage Curtain" episode of Star Trek from 1969 (in honor of Lincoln's birthday)

Frank and David discuss the recent controversy over Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's 1984 medical school yearbook. The discussion focuses on the history of blackface, with tangents on the history and cultural significance of yearbooks and Frank's hatred of Halloween. Plus Bugs Bunny in Southern Fried Rabbit.

Last Drops

Frank: Patriots victory in the Superbowl and upcoming Fennell Lecture with Joanne Freeman

David: fundraising at Bennett Colllege and SASA registration

With the Brexit deadline looming and no clear political solution in sight, Frank and David discuss how the UK got itself into this situation and try to provide some historical context.  British listeners should forgive our (okay, mostly David's) limited understanding of the nuances of UK politics.

Last Drops

Frank: Burns Suppers

David: Campaign to save Bennett College

In our 2nd anniversary episode, Frank and David discuss the incident last weekend at the Lincoln Memorial in which students from Covington Catholic High School came face-to-face with Native American activists. They tease out how this episode links to both contemporary politics and deep historical roots.

Last Drops

Frank: murals at Notre Dame

David: NPR Planet Money episode on 1879 shutdown, Backstory's 10th Anniversary, David & Ida's 23rd Anniversary.

With the federal government still in shutdown over Trump's border wall and with the 2020 campaign already underway, Frank and David look at the history of campaign promises. Including:

• How James K. Polk kept all his promises in 1844

Last Drops

Frank: Apology to Andy Murray and endorsement of Declan O'Rourke

David: Michelle Obama's Becoming

Recording on New Year's Eve, Frank and David discuss some of their favorites from 2018 and what they're excited for in 2019. 

The show begins with a discussion of Erin Bartram's essay from the Chronicle of Higher Education on the job market in history. Frank and David discuss how the job market has changed over the years and what (if anything) can be done about it.

Final Recommendations/Memories from 2018:

Frank:

• 25th anniversary of "Getting Word" project at Monticello

David: 

• Slate Standoff podcast

Looking forward to in 2019

Frank:

• Mueller Report

David

• Pete Carmichael's War for the Common Soldier

Back after a short hiatus, Frank and David discuss the "War on Christmas" -- looking at how Americans have celebrated (or not celebrated) Christmas, including:

• Why the Puritans didn't celebrate Christmas

Last Drops

Frank: Museum of Memory and Human Rights

David: Homecoming on Amazon Prime

Drawing upon the headlines, Frank and David discuss the role of missionaries and borders in American history, including:

• How colonial charters lead to messy borders

Last Drops

Frank: new Americanist position at the University of Edinburgh

David: SASA CFP

Back after a short hiatus, Frank and David discuss the results of the midterm elections and an interview with historian Jill Lepore.

Last Drops

Frank: Japanese illustrated history of America

David: Heather Ann Thompson, Blood in the Water and Civil War Photo Sleuth