Michael Hunter
@mtharchived.bsky.social
Archives, History, Museums, Pop Culture. Also, I have a Cat.
He/Him
He/Him
Pinned
Thought I would share a little bit about me to my small group of followers:
1. I have my MA in History and Archival Studies, with a focus on digitization, Archives history, and early to mid 20th century America
2. I am a huge advocate for the Humanities and the many studies within it.
1. I have my MA in History and Archival Studies, with a focus on digitization, Archives history, and early to mid 20th century America
2. I am a huge advocate for the Humanities and the many studies within it.
At first glance I was thinking well that's some crazy assed dog whistling, but honestly it feels more bullhorn-ish
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
At first glance I was thinking well that's some crazy assed dog whistling, but honestly it feels more bullhorn-ish
Can we just show him the footage from the 50's and say it's new? I am pretty sure he wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
October 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Can we just show him the footage from the 50's and say it's new? I am pretty sure he wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
I open up my weather app this morning and....
Negative zero, I will need the math people to explain this one to me (jk)
Negative zero, I will need the math people to explain this one to me (jk)
October 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I open up my weather app this morning and....
Negative zero, I will need the math people to explain this one to me (jk)
Negative zero, I will need the math people to explain this one to me (jk)
I have two hot takes here, one of which I will leave unsaid, and the other being that I feel like, much like my opinion on statues of historical figures, we probably shouldn't have holidays in honour of people, but rather focus on commemorating what they stood for.
name an italian more worthy of an american holiday than columbus
October 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I have two hot takes here, one of which I will leave unsaid, and the other being that I feel like, much like my opinion on statues of historical figures, we probably shouldn't have holidays in honour of people, but rather focus on commemorating what they stood for.
Things have been a bit rough.
Last week one of my cousins disappeared. As I was finishing up my shift at work I received notice that they found his truck today but not him.
I get home to find out that a close friend has also disappeared...
Please stay safe people.
Last week one of my cousins disappeared. As I was finishing up my shift at work I received notice that they found his truck today but not him.
I get home to find out that a close friend has also disappeared...
Please stay safe people.
August 21, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Things have been a bit rough.
Last week one of my cousins disappeared. As I was finishing up my shift at work I received notice that they found his truck today but not him.
I get home to find out that a close friend has also disappeared...
Please stay safe people.
Last week one of my cousins disappeared. As I was finishing up my shift at work I received notice that they found his truck today but not him.
I get home to find out that a close friend has also disappeared...
Please stay safe people.
Reposted by Michael Hunter
Trump’s attack on the Smithsonian is a direct assault on the study of history. I try to explain why in my new YouTube video, which I hope you’ll watch, like, and share.
Real history provokes us to reflect and wrestle. Trump prefers history that comforts, justifies, and doesn’t speak back.
Real history provokes us to reflect and wrestle. Trump prefers history that comforts, justifies, and doesn’t speak back.
Patriotic History or Propaganda? You Decide
YouTube video by Professor Benjamin Park
youtu.be
August 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Trump’s attack on the Smithsonian is a direct assault on the study of history. I try to explain why in my new YouTube video, which I hope you’ll watch, like, and share.
Real history provokes us to reflect and wrestle. Trump prefers history that comforts, justifies, and doesn’t speak back.
Real history provokes us to reflect and wrestle. Trump prefers history that comforts, justifies, and doesn’t speak back.
Reposted by Michael Hunter
I'll say it a thousand times -- any account of the past that only celebrates the good parts of a nation without reckoning with the bad is not what we call "history"
It is propaganda, pure and simple.
It is propaganda, pure and simple.
You can't teach U.S. history without "divisive" narratives. Slavery wasn't "unifying." The Japanese incarceration wasn't "unifying." The anti-immigrant Operation Wetback (real name) wasn't "unifying."
It's history's job to tell the truth, not cover up past racism to pave the way for future racism.
It's history's job to tell the truth, not cover up past racism to pave the way for future racism.
White House Announces Comprehensive Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions
www.nytimes.com
August 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I'll say it a thousand times -- any account of the past that only celebrates the good parts of a nation without reckoning with the bad is not what we call "history"
It is propaganda, pure and simple.
It is propaganda, pure and simple.
Reposted by Michael Hunter
Here is Pete Hegseth's tweet announcing the return of the Confederate monument to Arlington National Cemetery. The plan is to restore it and reinstall in 2027.
It's important to point out that this monument was never referred to as a "Reconciliation Monument."
It's important to point out that this monument was never referred to as a "Reconciliation Monument."
August 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Here is Pete Hegseth's tweet announcing the return of the Confederate monument to Arlington National Cemetery. The plan is to restore it and reinstall in 2027.
It's important to point out that this monument was never referred to as a "Reconciliation Monument."
It's important to point out that this monument was never referred to as a "Reconciliation Monument."
There's a lot of things wrong about this list, especially my field, but one of the things I feel this comes down to is the can/should distinction, sure you "could" but you're never going to get the same quality of critical analysis out of AI that you would a human
August 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
There's a lot of things wrong about this list, especially my field, but one of the things I feel this comes down to is the can/should distinction, sure you "could" but you're never going to get the same quality of critical analysis out of AI that you would a human
This is quite important, please take the time to sign
📢 The Internet Archive needs your help.
At a time when information is being rewritten or erased online, a $700 million lawsuit from major record labels threatens to destroy the Wayback Machine.
Tell the labels to drop the 78s lawsuit.
👉 Sign our open letter: www.change.org/p/defend-the...
🧵⬇️
At a time when information is being rewritten or erased online, a $700 million lawsuit from major record labels threatens to destroy the Wayback Machine.
Tell the labels to drop the 78s lawsuit.
👉 Sign our open letter: www.change.org/p/defend-the...
🧵⬇️
July 30, 2025 at 3:12 AM
This is quite important, please take the time to sign
Trying to remember that one random book I read all the way back in middle school.... Fun.
July 9, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Trying to remember that one random book I read all the way back in middle school.... Fun.
Reposted by Michael Hunter
I've worked on the 250th **eight years** now. So let me just make two points:
1. If the history community cedes this anniversary to the WH, we'll be left with only the shallow, celebratory stuff and will miss a massive opportunity to provide deep, complex history to people who want it. AND +
1. If the history community cedes this anniversary to the WH, we'll be left with only the shallow, celebratory stuff and will miss a massive opportunity to provide deep, complex history to people who want it. AND +
July 4, 2026, is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Here's how the United States of America is planning to party.
America has a major birthday coming up — here's what to expect for the big 2-5-0
It's the nation's semiquincentennial! July 4, 2026, is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Here's how the United States of America is planning to party.
n.pr
July 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I've worked on the 250th **eight years** now. So let me just make two points:
1. If the history community cedes this anniversary to the WH, we'll be left with only the shallow, celebratory stuff and will miss a massive opportunity to provide deep, complex history to people who want it. AND +
1. If the history community cedes this anniversary to the WH, we'll be left with only the shallow, celebratory stuff and will miss a massive opportunity to provide deep, complex history to people who want it. AND +
Something of a side note, and this might just be more my school of thought, but when talking/teaching history I usually stress is more important to focus on on the who, what, where, and why of historical events than it is is to get /memorize super specific dates.
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
Many historians are quite bad at remembering historical dates
Many historians are quite bad at remembering historical dates
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
It is good and proper in a well-kept library to dispose of books.
It is good and proper in a well-kept library to dispose of books.
June 30, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Something of a side note, and this might just be more my school of thought, but when talking/teaching history I usually stress is more important to focus on on the who, what, where, and why of historical events than it is is to get /memorize super specific dates.
I got excited and pre-ordered a video game That will be released in a few months, only to just now realize I hadn't looked up how much space it's going to take up on my hard drive...
June 29, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I got excited and pre-ordered a video game That will be released in a few months, only to just now realize I hadn't looked up how much space it's going to take up on my hard drive...
Facebook let me know it was nine years ago that this precious angel joined the family and we have been cherishing every moment.
June 27, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Facebook let me know it was nine years ago that this precious angel joined the family and we have been cherishing every moment.
Reposted by Michael Hunter
Dear all,
Helen passed away at 13:21 local time. Helen would not have wanted us to be sad for a long time. All they wanted was to be remembered. They looked forward to being rid of pain and to being at rest. Helen took great comfort in you, their friends and readers.
pt. 1/2
Helen passed away at 13:21 local time. Helen would not have wanted us to be sad for a long time. All they wanted was to be remembered. They looked forward to being rid of pain and to being at rest. Helen took great comfort in you, their friends and readers.
pt. 1/2
June 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Dear all,
Helen passed away at 13:21 local time. Helen would not have wanted us to be sad for a long time. All they wanted was to be remembered. They looked forward to being rid of pain and to being at rest. Helen took great comfort in you, their friends and readers.
pt. 1/2
Helen passed away at 13:21 local time. Helen would not have wanted us to be sad for a long time. All they wanted was to be remembered. They looked forward to being rid of pain and to being at rest. Helen took great comfort in you, their friends and readers.
pt. 1/2
A definite must read.
But then again I might be biased as I wrote my master's thesis on a very similar subject. It's a bit crazy to try and think about how many historical records/connections are out there your probably better off asking how many ants are out there.
But then again I might be biased as I wrote my master's thesis on a very similar subject. It's a bit crazy to try and think about how many historical records/connections are out there your probably better off asking how many ants are out there.
It's always a good day to revisit this one.
Why Do Historians Still Have To Go To Archives?
Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
contingentmagazine.org
June 17, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A definite must read.
But then again I might be biased as I wrote my master's thesis on a very similar subject. It's a bit crazy to try and think about how many historical records/connections are out there your probably better off asking how many ants are out there.
But then again I might be biased as I wrote my master's thesis on a very similar subject. It's a bit crazy to try and think about how many historical records/connections are out there your probably better off asking how many ants are out there.
Oh, they have "positions" on it, but as I have been told more than once, they cOuLd'T pOsSiBlY punish an otherwise good member of the church
Have any Utah Republicans called Mike Lee out? Anyone ask @spencercox.bsky.social?
Or how about the LDS church? Do they have any firm positions on lying and laughing about murder?
Or how about the LDS church? Do they have any firm positions on lying and laughing about murder?
A top staffer to Sen. Tina Smith emailed Sen. Mike Lee’s top staffers on Monday about “how much additional pain you’ve caused on an unspeakably horrific weekend”
Full emails below
Full emails below
June 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Oh, they have "positions" on it, but as I have been told more than once, they cOuLd'T pOsSiBlY punish an otherwise good member of the church
In regards to the SLC shooting:
I am honestly getting tired of the "this isn't who we are" bullshit, this happens (in America) far too often for it not to be a part of our identity. It's long time for us to be honest about it and actually address the systemic issues that keep allowing this to happen
I am honestly getting tired of the "this isn't who we are" bullshit, this happens (in America) far too often for it not to be a part of our identity. It's long time for us to be honest about it and actually address the systemic issues that keep allowing this to happen
June 15, 2025 at 7:02 PM
In regards to the SLC shooting:
I am honestly getting tired of the "this isn't who we are" bullshit, this happens (in America) far too often for it not to be a part of our identity. It's long time for us to be honest about it and actually address the systemic issues that keep allowing this to happen
I am honestly getting tired of the "this isn't who we are" bullshit, this happens (in America) far too often for it not to be a part of our identity. It's long time for us to be honest about it and actually address the systemic issues that keep allowing this to happen
Reposted by Michael Hunter
He was also a committed slaveowner who brutalized the human beings he owned. He didn’t fight for honor.
Counterpoint: Robert E. Lee was a treasonous loser who gladly slaughtered his fellow Americans in defense of slavery while being a mildly above average military tactician.
He should’ve been hanged in Lexington.
He should’ve been hanged in Lexington.
June 11, 2025 at 12:28 PM
He was also a committed slaveowner who brutalized the human beings he owned. He didn’t fight for honor.
This is the kind of thing you say when you only have a puddle deep understanding of Lee's life. Dude was many things, but none of which he describes here.
June 11, 2025 at 6:29 PM
This is the kind of thing you say when you only have a puddle deep understanding of Lee's life. Dude was many things, but none of which he describes here.
Reposted by Michael Hunter
It is 100% carrying water for the opposition to participate in this collective delusion that Dems for some reason need to answer for every teen who throws a rock rather than hold the Trump admin accountable for intentionally creating chaos and breaking the law to stoke violence.
They are in charge.
They are in charge.
June 11, 2025 at 12:44 AM
It is 100% carrying water for the opposition to participate in this collective delusion that Dems for some reason need to answer for every teen who throws a rock rather than hold the Trump admin accountable for intentionally creating chaos and breaking the law to stoke violence.
They are in charge.
They are in charge.
I saw this post on threads, and since my profile there is set on private I cannot reply to this person's question. Since the greater 80% of my post high school education focused in the study of History, and big portion of that WW2 history, I have some thoughts here I would like to share (1/X)
June 11, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I saw this post on threads, and since my profile there is set on private I cannot reply to this person's question. Since the greater 80% of my post high school education focused in the study of History, and big portion of that WW2 history, I have some thoughts here I would like to share (1/X)
A general understanding of how the US Interstate system works and cardinal directions. There are these things called signs they installed on the side of the road that also help let you know far away you are from towns, cities, and places of interest. Maps also helped, still have a handful in my car.
I am officially one of The Ancients, Keeper of Knowledge of the Before Time
June 4, 2025 at 12:17 PM
A general understanding of how the US Interstate system works and cardinal directions. There are these things called signs they installed on the side of the road that also help let you know far away you are from towns, cities, and places of interest. Maps also helped, still have a handful in my car.
😡😡😡
All the historians (plus some from political science and law) gone. None are on the Committee on on Historical Diplomatic Documentation, aka the Historical Advisory Committee (HAC), which has been so essential to declassification in creating a robust, timely record of US foreign relation (FRUS).🗃️
A tiny but wild snapshot of the current chaos
May 30, 2025 at 3:52 AM
😡😡😡