Wartburg College History Department

05/08/2026

Happy V-E Day!

04/22/2026

RICE Day 2026

04/22/2026

2026 RICE Day presentations (HI461 Historiography)

04/06/2026

On April 6, 1917, the United States entered World War I, marking a turning point in global history.

After nearly three years of neutrality, Congress declared war on Germany, ultimately mobilizing millions of Americans and reshaping the course of the conflict.

More than four million Americans served, and over 115,000 lost their lives.

In the aftermath of the war, the United States made a promise: to honor those who served and those who never came home.

That promise led to the creation of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) in 1923.

Today, ABMC continues that mission, preserving cemeteries and memorials around the world so that their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Every day, more than a century later, we continue to honor their service and remember their sacrifice.

Read more about the American entry into World War I: https://bit.ly/41lJcIS

03/31/2026

Last week, our campus dining team delivered another exceptional experience for the History Department—bringing together bold flavors and thoughtful preparation for a memorable shared meal.

Guests enjoyed perfectly prepared boom boom salmon, paired with roasted carrots and a classic baked potato, creating a balanced and satisfying plate. The evening concluded on a high note with a rich chocolate torte that was as beautiful as it was delicious.

Experiences like these highlight the care, creativity, and talent that go into every plate served on our campus. We’re proud to support moments that bring our community together around the table.

03/31/2026

03/31/2026

Grace is one of our History graduates. Congratulations, Grace!

Welcome, Grace Coffman! 💚

Grace has joined our team as a Community Engagement Manager in Cedar Rapids. She's eager to build connections throughout the community and do her part in preparing Girl Scouts to be future leaders!

She was a Girl Scout as a child and has experienced her full circle moment coming back to the organization. Grace has a background in retail experience, and found her love for community work through her degree.

Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with her family, close friends, and her 15-year-old dachshund, Clyde. She is also an avid reader who loves visiting bookshops, hiking, building LEGO, watching tennis, and going to concerts. 🐶💚📚🥾🎾🎤

03/26/2026

On March 25, 1911, a fire at New York's Triangle Shirtwaist Factory killed 146 garment workers, mostly women, girls, and recent immigrants, in one of the deadliest workplace accidents in American history.

The factory's owners, Isaac Harris and Max Blanck, had built a million-dollar-a-year business mass-producing fashionable women's blouses and they intended to keep profits high. Sewing machine operators worked 14-hour shifts for a maximum of $2 a day, before their pay was docked for the needles, thread, and electricity they used. To prevent theft, workers were searched on their way out and the secondary exit door was locked.

When the fire broke out on March 25th, Harris and Blanck were alerted by phone and escaped to safety by climbing over neighboring rooftops. Workers on the eighth floor rushed down the stairs and in the elevator. On the ninth floor, however, workers remained unaware of the fire until smoke filled the room. As they desperately tried to escape, flames had already blocked one exit, and the other was locked. Out of the 200 workers on the floor, 146 perished, many jumping to their death on the pavement below.

Thanks to a public outpouring of support for the victims, the fire led to the most comprehensive workplace safety laws in the country.



📸: Firefighters dousing the flames at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company (Wikimedia Commons)

03/23/2026