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Learn with the Gilder Lehrman Institute

MA in American History

Our master’s degree program gives K–12 educators an affordable way to earn a graduate degree while working full time.

Self-Paced Courses

Explore American history from your own home, in your own time, and at your own pace! Educators can obtain professional development credit.

David McCullough Essay Prizes

High school students in our Affiliate School Program are encouraged to participate in this prestigious competition.

Upcoming Events

  • Inside the Vault
  • All Audiences
  • Free
Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7:00 pm ET

The Battles of Lexington and Concord

Military intelligence from the Battles of Lexington and Concord shows the patriots’ uncertainty at the start of the Revolution.

  • Teachers
  • Online
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET

Open House: MA in American History

Q&A session for prospective students to learn about the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman master's degree program.

  • New York City
Monday, May 12, 2025 at 6:30 pm ET

Annual Gala

Join us to celebrate the 2025 honorees: Doris Kearns Goodwin, the cast of Hamilton, and The Rockefeller Foundation!

Upcoming Deadlines

  • Teachers
  • Students
  • Parents
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET

NHTOY Nominations

Deadline to nominate a teacher for 2025 History Teacher of the Year.

  • Students
  • Teachers
  • The Citizenship Test
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET

The Citizenship Challenge

Last day to submit your entry for the Citizenship Challenge

Book Breaks

Every Sunday at 2:00 pm ET (11:00 am PT) on Zoom

Books leaning against each other

Join us for our weekly interview series in which historians discuss their acclaimed books followed by a Q&A with the at-home audience. Please click any of the upcoming episodes to register. You can purchase any of the books featured on our bookshop.org page, for which we receive an affiliate commission.

Browse Past Episodes Learn More

Upcoming Episodes

Our Historical Documents

In 1991, Richard Gilder and Lewis Lehrman embarked on a mission to create one of the most important repositories of historical American documents in the country. Today, the Gilder Lehrman Collection contains 87,000+ items documenting the political, social, and economic history of the United States.

Our catalog is free to search. K–12 students, K–12 educators, and parents can access a selection of 13,000+ full-sized images for free. Others can purchase an annual History Resources subscription for $25.
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History Now

The Online Journal of the Gilder Lehrman Institute

Flag representing the free states of the union as stars on the flag but not the slave states


Published four times a year, History Now features essays by the nation’s leading historians for teachers, students, and general readers.

Beginning on March 14, History Now will be free for everyone and will not require a subscription or login.

Browse Issues

How to Research a World War II Veteran

Learn about the historical research process in this step-by-step guide. As you progress, you will have opportunities to apply what you are learning.

Image: American Servicemen and women in Paris celebrating the unconditional surrender of the Japanese, August 15, 1945 (National Archives, 111-SC-210241)

Crowd of military Service members holding up newspapers with "PEACE" headline in large letters

News

Our News

Stay up to date with all the work that we do to combat historical illiteracy and invigorate the study of the past.

See Our News

Newsletter

Catch up on the highlights from our work with students, teachers, researchers, and the general public.

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Press Releases

See all official press releases for our important events, significant programs, and special initiatives.

View Press Releases