American Social History Project

About the Author

The American Social History Project, founded in 1981 at the City University of New York, is a pioneering collective of historians, educators, and scholars dedicated to illuminating the stories of ordinary working people in the United States. Through innovative multimedia approaches, the Project has transformed how history is taught and understood, emphasizing labor, social movements, and the diverse contributions of immigrants, women, and marginalized communities to the nation's development. Their seminal works, including Who Built America? Vol. 1: Working People and the Nation's History and Who Built America? Working People and the Nation's History, Vol. 2: 1877 to the Present, have become cornerstones in American education, blending rigorous scholarship with engaging narratives to make the past accessible and relevant for contemporary audiences.