Good News in History

All throughout history there have always been people making a difference. With these stories, we can look back on the good that's happened in the past — which led the way for the world we live in today.

Three Pictures of African Americans Activists: Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King, and Anita Hill

24 Famous Black Activists Who Transformed Society

Good Good Good’s guide to Black activists who have taken a stand against oppression, inequality, and systemic racism.

Martin Luther King Jr. stands in between a man and a woman shaking hands with each other

MLK is often portrayed as a 'civil saint.' 3 of his works remind us that his beliefs were truly radical

Three particular works from 1957 to 1967 illustrate how King’s political thought evolved from a hopeful reformer to a radical critic.

A close-up photo of Martin Luther King Jr. as he stares straight into the camera

MLK believed in 'religious pluralism.' Here's what that means, and how it looks today

An African American philosopher explores the role religious pluralism played in King’s fight for civil rights in the United States — and for peace around the world.

Martin Luther King Jr. stands in front of a group of men

MLK had a vision of 'love as a moral imperative.' 58 years after his death, it matters now more than ever

What can the past tell us about healing the nation? Specifically, how can we address divisions along race, class, and political lines?

A black and white portrait of Frederick Douglass

What Frederick Douglass learned from an Irish anti-slavery activist: 'Agitate, agitate, agitate'

Though Frederick Douglass remains the most well-known abolitionist to visit Ireland in the decades prior to the American Civil War, he was not the only one.

A marble relief with several figures engraved on it: on the side is a column with an adorned woman with another companion. Next to them is a man with a crown, with one hand on a pedestal.

Ancient Romans prove gender nonconformity is not a modern concept

Vatican’s opposition to gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy has brought renewed attention to how religions define and interpret gender and gender roles. Here's how one historic group found community.

A group of people protesting of the street

Calls for divestment from apartheid South Africa gave today's pro-Palestinian student activists a blueprint to follow

By calling out complicity on the part of colleges, corporations, and the government in South Africa’s system of apartheid, student activists were able to show that demands for divestment could be a concrete and effective form of protest.

Jessie Dean Gipson Simmons, shown top center, posing for the camera with her family. [Clockwise: daughter Angela and husband Obadiah Jerone, Sr.]

Jessie Simmons: How a schoolteacher became an unsung hero of the civil rights movement

Denials in work applications set Jessie up to fight an important battle for justice for Black educators at a time when many were being pushed out of the teaching profession.

Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mathew Ahmann in a crowd.

50 Essential Civil Rights Speeches

A compilation of 50 essential civil rights speeches using resources including BlackPast, TED, American RadioWorks, the Obama Foundation, and various other media and educational sources.

Women protesting outside the White House in 1917

Meet the forgotten deaf women who fought for the right to vote

Despite harsh, discriminatory conditions, low pay, and lack of recognition, countless deaf women have fought with brilliance and dedication for personal and professional recognition, including for the right to vote.

Protestors holding signs that say We Demand Voting Rights Now

Major Civil Rights Moments in Every State

Highlighting a contribution from each state toward civil rights in America, along with what led to that historical moment and the change it brought.

Nuts and bolts leaders in the Chicago civil rights movement

The 'Nuts and Bolts' Heroes Who Made the Civil Rights Movement Possible

The men and women who organized the nuts and bolts of the Civil Rights Movement may not be as well-remembered but it was they who provided its essential vision and energy.