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John Garrison Marks

@johngmarks.com

3.8K followers 1K following 1.8K posts

Historian and writer. New book about how Americans remember George Washington and slavery forthcoming April 2026 w/ @uncpress.bsky.social. Vice President of Research & Engagement at AASLH. www.johngmarks.com

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 17d

My book exploring how generations of Americans have fought over how to understand George Washington and slavery officially has a pre-order page up! a.co/d/j5sBjLH

Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s legacy of slavery and the fight for American memory by John Garrison Marks. Portrait of George Washington with shredded historical document nailed over top.

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 4h

If I know one thing about the Yankees it’s that they’ll endlessly tinker with his swing, maybe make him play a new position, then he’ll “go back to his old approach”

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 4h

Hate hate hate it

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 6h

Of course it’s the guy in there for his defense that gets them on the board.

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 6h

Very. Theyve needed it but it’s been good!

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 7h

This is probably the #1 reason I don’t want to try to launch my own newsletter. I’ve got lots of ideas and opinions! Lots of them are probably bad and dumb though.

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 17h

I'm not expert but she's running for president in the "people hate now trump but still also hate democrats" lane, right?

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 17h

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 18h

I really like More In Common’s approach to research. Their researchers found similar perception gaps for what left/right think the other side wants people to learn about history: www.historyperceptiongap.us

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 18h

Indeed.

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 19h

Following on the whole Trump $1 coin thing, all the congressional members of the U.S. Semiquin Committee have introduced a bill requiring treasury to mint $2.50 coins for 2026. legiscan.com/US/bill/HB56...

US Congress HB5616 | 2025-2026 | 119th Congress

Summary (2025-09-30) $2.50 for America’s 250th Act [Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.]

legiscan.com

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 19h

I’m very pleased to see @theatlantic.com pursuing this Unfinished Revolution project, not just in the latest issue but over the next 9 months. www.theatlantic.com/category/unf...

The Unfinished Revolution - The Atlantic

"The Unfinished Revolution" examines the founding of the United States and brings the nation's history to bear on its present—and its future. New chapters will be published over the following week, an...

www.theatlantic.com

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 1d

Almost every day I think to myself "I love starting each day the angriest I've ever been," like when my 3 year old comes out wearing 4 shirts and no underwear when the drop off line closes in 5 minutes. So thanks for giving me something to hang it all on!

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 1d

(The mall is a quarter mile from my house)

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 1d

For two years I’ve been annoyed that running out my front door meant fighting some pretty huge hills. Finally solved it today: run at the mall loop before the stores open. Basically an empty, rolling, 1-mile loop. Not exactly scenic, but highly functional.

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 2d

The Travis Hunter Celsius commercial where he’s drinking two cans a day is very concerning. He’s drinking 400mg of caffeine at like 5pm while fishing? Come on.

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 2d

If I had something even close to a specialty in intelligence or diplomacy, I’d be applying for this awesome job. If that’s you, you should do it: networks.h-net.org/jobs/69269/i...

International Spy Museum - Historian | H-Net

networks.h-net.org

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 2d

I hope my public history and museum colleagues will all consider submitting proposals for the joint conference next year. Going to be a huge and important gathering.

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 2d

If you’re considering presenting at the joint AASLH-NCPH conference next September, but you could use feedback, an idea, or more presenters, submit an optional early topic proposal by October 15! https://ncph.org/conference/2026-annual-meeting/topic-proposal-form/

2026 Joint Conference. September 16-19, Providence, RI. The Work of Revolution. American Association for State and Local History. National Council on Public History.

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 3d

Gonna time it just right to bring Fickell back, everybody wins.

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 5d

It looks like my book will end up being 304 pages and, man, it’s embarrassing how relieved I am it didn’t end up 5 pages shorter. I would’ve been so mad.

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 5d

This is one of those posts that makes me think “ok good I’m not crazy.”

The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 5d

"The only compromises Democrats should accept in exchange for bailing out the Republican-controlled Congress are ones that would either (a) rebalance the structure of government, or (b) put limits on executive power." www.thebulwark.com/p/democrats-...

Here’s How Trump Loses the Shutdown

God help us but Gavin Newsom is the only Democrat who understands power.

www.thebulwark.com

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Reposted by John Garrison Marks

Annette Gordon-Reed @agordonreed.bsky.social · 5d

Congratulations! What a great group of books. Seeing them gives me hope.

macmillan.yale.edu/glc/stories/...

Yale Announces 2025 Frederick Douglass Book Prize Finalists

macmillan.yale.edu

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John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 5d

One of the few political bright spots this year has been learning that I'm represented by one of the few senators who seems to both get it and give a shit.

Perry Bacon @perrybaconjr.bsky.social · 5d

"You can be angry about the assault on our democracy and our freedoms and still be a happy warrior in how you confront that. Roosevelt, when he was going after big-money special interests, said, 'I welcome their hatred," says @vanhollen.senate.gov. newrepublic.com/article/2013...