I spend my days trying to convince students that history matters. Because I have done this for a while, I can hear them scoffing. But I am holding to my faith: History does matter. It should matter to us all.

If history can teach Americans anything, it is to doubt our leaders. We should hear alarm bells when elected officials—including (or especially) convicted felons—state wishes as though they were facts. “No [and, under our breaths, ‘you knucklehead’]: You cannot repeal the Fourteenth Amendment by executive order. Let me explain to you how the U.S. Constitution works.…”1 Facts.

I learned what I know about the U.S. Constitution by studying, and then teaching, American history. It gives me precious little in the way of power. I teach history and I have a vote—neither of which feels like enough at this moment. But these are the tools I have. Right now, today,...

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