iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 18/09/2026

The bipartisan opposition to automated license plate readers suggests Americans have not entirely lost their rebellious spirit. A historian explains how the revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773.

theconversation.com

How the American revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773

The bipartisan revolution against automated license plate readers suggests Americans have not entirely lost their rebellious spirit.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Boston officials canceled their contract with Flock Safety yesterday. IMHO, perhaps the most clear indication that the Revolutionary spirit lives on 250 years later has been the grassroots, extralegal, and bipartisan revolt against ALPRs. I got to write about it: theconversation.com/how-the-amer...

theconversation.com

How the American revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773

The bipartisan revolution against automated license plate readers suggests Americans have not entirely lost their rebellious spirit.

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The Rundown @therundowntvo.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

"Today it’s Lake America, but tomorrow the propaganda coming from south of the border could be both more serious and insidious, and the actions of Google, Apple and other companies show plainly that they will not be on our side." — @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social

tvo.org

ANALYSIS: 'Lake America' makes one thing clear: we can’t trust U.S. tech companies | TVO Today

The president’s decree is dumb. Why is anyone going along with it?

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McGill-Queen's University Press @mcgillqueensup.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Read this excerpt from The Lives of Lake Ontario by Daniel Macfarlane! Get $5 off the hardcover edition using coupon code ONTARIO until the end of September: buff.ly/SMpotNt buff.ly/uwEyw8h

thewalrus.ca

Lake Ontario Has Bigger Problems than Donald Trump | The Walrus

Forget the fight over its name. The Great Lake is being threatened by pollution, development, and decades of neglect

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Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

A Florida grand jury found the DeSantis administration “misappropriated” $10 million meant to provide health insurance for poor children. Part of a “sophisticated scheme to fund political activities,” the money was funneled through multiple organizations before reaching two PACs and the Florida GOP.

cbsnews.com

Grand jury finds DeSantis administration "misappropriated" $10 million in taxpayer money to Hope Florida

A Florida grand jury found the DeSantis administration misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer money for political purposes.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Elbows up, Canada. We're with you. 🇨🇦

Me holding a can of the finest beer in Nova Scotia, and all of Canada for that matter.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

You read that right my friends, we will all now pay more for goods because the administration's negotiators wanted to exempt US manufacturers from printing labels in French. Stupid is as stupid does. newrepublic.com/post/214635/...

newrepublic.com

Here’s How Trump’s Culture War Killed Trade Talks With Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney says that U.S. demands to curtail his nation’s French-language identity were a nonstarter.

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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

"We recognized that sometimes [the United State's] signature was written in pencil." — Mark Carney

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Maya Media @mayamedia.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

No. We will destroy your police state. Flock CEO calls for ‘compromise’ as surveillance company faces growing backlash techcrunch.com/2026/08/23/f...

techcrunch.com

Flock CEO calls for ‘compromise’ as surveillance company faces growing backlash | TechCrunch

Flock Safety faces a growing public outcry over concerns that its surveillance technology could be misused.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Teaching a class on the Revolution or Early America this fall? Be sure to check out the freshly published article in Remembering the American Revolution at 250. Read Spencer Wells', "Damned Loyalists: Weaponizing Conscience in a Revolutionary World," here: journals.h-net.org/America250/a...

journals.h-net.org

Damned Loyalists: Weaponizing Conscience in a Revolutionary World | Remembering the American Revolution at 250

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

My book project follows a large family over a few generations. Thus, a think a few family tree graphics are necessary for readers to easily reference. However, Microsoft Word has NO GOOD options for making family trees! Has anyone had success using other software? I'd appreciate any and all advice!

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Reading the letters of friends separated by the Revolution is always so powerful. I'll never tire of it: "Alas, how you are changed my dear Mary [...] the artlessness of youth and innocence unclouded by even a shadow of fear for future [...] you seem indeed to have the care of the world on you."

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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 03/08/2026

BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE: Five months ago, we learned that ICE seized drawings and letters from children in the Dilley ICE concentration camp. I sued under the Freedom of Information Act. Today, I got responsive documents. www.muellershewrote.com/p/breaking-e...

muellershewrote.com

BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE: ICE Seized Drawings from Children in Detention. I Sued, and Today I Got Them.

Five months ago, I filed a Freedom of Information Act Request for papers seized from children at the Dilley ICE Detention Center. Today, I got a heartbreaking response.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Friends familiar with material culture in the late eighteenth century: what kinds of irons is she requesting? "Large handsome ___ irons, Mama thinks she could dispose of them here when she leave the place." THANKS!

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

This is utterly insane. Some conservative talking head, who clearly knows nothing about colonial history or the events of 1792/3, giving a kid a lecture full of nonsense. Trump's America250 is totally deranged. newrepublic.com/post/212559/...

newrepublic.com

Far-Right Host at Trump State Fair Lectures Kid on Salem Witch Trials

A crowd of dozens of people watched the bizarre exchange.

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Leon Jackson @drleonj.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Shout out to @drhardesty.bsky.social for bringing Ezekiel Price’s Notarial Records to my attention. Here’s Lancaster Hill, a free man of color in Boston, purchasing his own infant child from his wife Margaret’s enslaver, physician Sylvester Gardiner, in 1761. These are painful documents to read 🗃️

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I always use the "A Society of Patriotic Ladies, at Edenton" mezzotint in my Revolution course. But I never appreciated the ways the image distorts the historical moment, nor its complicated afterlife through the Jim Crow Era! Read Nancy Parode's new essay here: journals.h-net.org/America250/a...

journals.h-net.org

“A Memorable Proof of Their Patriotism”: The Edenton Ladies, Memorialization, and History’s Long Reach | Remembering the American Revolution at 250

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250 Years Ago News @250yearsagonews.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

May 19, 1776: Plagued by desertion from his force stationed at Halifax, British Gen. William Howe makes an offer to pardon all those who ran away if they surrender before June 24 and enlist in the newly organized Loyal Nova Scotia Volunteers.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Loyalist Jonathan Sewall never forgave his former friends and neighbors for this. Writing to his cousin, Mehitable (Robie) Higginson, in September 1783, he noted, "I assure you, if my Estate was now to be offered me, upon Condition my returning to take possession of it, I would not accept it."

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Charlie Angus @charlieangus104.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Buffalo plays the Canadian anthem even when Canadian teams aren't present. And when the microphone cut out the people did the job admirably. That's what neighbours do. Buffalo proud. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdFv...

youtube.com

Buffalo fans finish CANADIAN national anthem after mic issues

YouTube video by NHL

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Atlantic Canada Studies Centre (University of New Brunswick) @acsc-unb.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

We're extremely grateful to have hosted the brilliant Mi'kmaw historian Mercedes Peters last Friday. It was a full house at the NB Sports Hall of Fame, where - in a lovely coincidence - Mercedes' dad Jason Peters is honoured for his contributions to Indigenous sports!

Mercedes Peters, wearing a jean jacket and long dress, speaks to a full room in the Alden R. Clark Theatre. Her presentation can be seen on the screen at the front of the room: "'She didn't leave anybody out': Rita Smith, Mi'kmaw Family, and the Coming Together of Glooscap First Nation."

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Eric Columbus @ericcolumbus.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

In Springsteen’s words: everybody has a Hungary heart

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Hi (again) early America crew: I'm a little stuck on an idea and would love some suggestions. I want to read more about extended kinship networks in the colonies. How did relatives provide for orphaned and fatherless the children of brothers/sisters/cousins/etc.? As always, thanks!!

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

I'd appreciate a boost from all my Early America friends: The 2nd volume of "Remembering the Revolution at 250" has published! 🥳 It features a great article by Chris Minty and Nadine Delia exploring the near absence of the Loyalists from British public memory. journals.h-net.org/America250/i...

journals.h-net.org

Remembering the American Revolution at 250

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Age of Revolutions @ageofrevolutions.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

A powerful look at how women’s writing during the Seven Years’ War reveals the raw emotion, loss, and humanity often hidden in colonial archives. A moving reminder that behind every global conflict are intimate stories worth remembering. @tlecaque.bsky.social ageofrevolutions.com/2026/03/02/h...

ageofrevolutions.com

Heartbreak on the Colonial Front: Women’s Writing, the Seven Years War, and Humanity in the Archive

By Thomas Lecaque This article is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Patrick Lecaque, 1/15/1949-10/11/2025, who taught his son the joy of history, of research, of discovery, and to find the individuals…

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Jake @ HUBhistory @hubhistory.com · 17/03/2026

250 years ago today, Massachusetts won its independence as the British evacuated Boston. Listen to our latest podcast to learn about the unlikely Continental successes that added up to a nearly miraculous victory. www.hubhistory.com/episodes/bos...

hubhistory.com

Boston's Independence Day: Evacuation Day at 250 (episode 348) - HUB History: Boston history podcast

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, and here in Boston Independence Day comes early, on a holiday we celebrate every year on March 17 as Evacuation Day. In the early months of ...

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American Historical Association @historians.org · 10/03/2026

Versatile, adaptable, and ready to step into many roles. In #AHAPerspectives, AHA director of teaching and learning Brendan Gillis argues that history majors are the utility infielders of the workforce baseball team. 🗃️

historians.org

Utility Infielders for Hire – AHA

History majors build successful careers across a wide range of fields.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

The Marblehead merchant John Sparhawk explaining why he did not store proscribed goods in 1769 as required by non-importation really demonstrates the humanity of it all. "Importing goods was the only means I had of supporting myself and my family;—which I tho’t was as much as my country did demand.”

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Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Getting shown up in the arena of elite impunity by *the British monarchy* is an incredible “America at 250!” achievement

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Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

2026 Olympic Games: Mitch Marner wins it for Canada in win-or-go-home hockey quarterfinal #TeamCanada #Canada 🍁 www.cbc.ca/sports/olymp...

cbc.ca

2026 Olympic Games: Mitch Marner wins it for Canada in win-or-go-home hockey quarterfinal | CBC

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McGill-Queen's University Press @mcgillqueensup.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

For more than a century, Canadians have seen something of themselves in the sport of hockey. Canada's Game by Andrew C. Holman looks at hockey's ability to reflect Canadian identity. buff.ly/ZJ7iN2W

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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 09/02/2026

Bad Bunny’s closing messages during his Super Bowl performance: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” “Together, we are America”

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Omg. WTF is Happening? @lalahaenzy.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again. #Pinks #ProudBlue

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The H-Net Book Channel @hnetbookchannel.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Douglas Hildebrand of @ubcpress.bsky.social provides an overview of the UP landscape in Canada for #FeedingTheElephant. "It’s a business that makes absolutely no business sense but is crucial to national conversations on various subjects and in exporting Canadian ideas to the world," he writes.

networks.h-net.org

Varieties of University Press Business Models: Canadian Presses | H-Net

A guest post from

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

The NYT discovers the theory behind reading historical texts: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/m...

nytimes.com

Don’t Keep a Diary. Embrace the Fragments of Real Life Instead.

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

I'm quoted in this in-depth story about how Trump uses history to support his authoritarian agenda and to go after his enemies. As I put it, the "enemies that matter [to Trump] are in the present: us, history professors, journalists." tinyurl.com/32n7948b

tinyurl.com

Trump's war on history

As America's 250th anniversary approaches, the president wants to control the country's future by bulldozing its past.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

While living in FL, I often forget how the real world works. So, please help me out: Does anyone else regularly (like 2-3 times a week) have college-age kids (mostly young men with those silly haircuts) knock on their door trying to sell them solar panels, security systems, etc.?

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Johann Neem @johannneem.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

"Every one with this writ may be a tyrant; if this commission be legal, a tyrant in a legal manner also may control, imprison, or murder any one within the realm."- James Otis on general warrants by the Crown (1761).

nytimes.com

ICE Expands Power of Agents to Arrest People Without Warrants

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Massachusetts Historical Society @mhs1791.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Opening February 11! "The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement" exhibit at the Old State House, presented by Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society. Learn more here: revolutionaryspaces.org/explore/exhi...

Graphic promoting the exhibit, "The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement." At the bottom is a 1775 watercolor illustration of two soldiers pointing towards building, with water in the background.

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G. Patrick O'Brien @gpatrickobrien.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Did you tune in for Ken Burns' documentary series "The American Revolution"? Submit a reflective essay for consideration in "Remembering the American Revolution at 250." Read the full call for papers here: networks.h-net.org/group/announ.... See Vol 1 here: journals.h-net.org/America250/i...

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Cindy Ermus @cindyermus.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Great to see @bryanbanksphd.bsky.social's Write to Return (2025) on display at the @historians.org book exhibit in Chicago! Please make sure your library has it!

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Dan Howlett @dhowlett1692.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Last year, Ask Me Anything posts received 10m views! If anyone at #AHA26 is interested in being an AMA guest on @askhistorians.bsky.social, I'm constantly scheduling on all topics!

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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

From farming to forced removal, the story of Île Saint-Jean is one of hope, hardship, & heritage. Join Ben Franklin’s World on a journey through 300 years of French settlement 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/365 #FrenchHistory #VastEarlyAmerica #History #Canada #CanadianHistory #AcadianHistory

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