Unpacking the History of American and International Child Rights

Human Rights, Law, Law Journal Library, Session Laws, Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, U.S. Congressional Serial Set, U.S. Federal Legislative History, U.S. Supreme Court, United Nations, World Treaty Library
Tara Kibler

What is a child? It may seem like a silly question, but the answer is more nuanced than one might think. In biology, the term refers to the state of the human being between birth and puberty. Legally, it refers to a person younger than a predetermined age of majority—the point in time when a person can take legal control over their actions and decisions. Symbolically, children have become much more. Over the past several hundred years, the child has become not only an allegory for innocence and the embodiment of freedom, but also a shining beacon of hope for future generations widely considered in need of adult protection.

Pre-20th Century Children

Though this view of the child is one we’re all familiar with now…

Read More

A Quick ‘N Easy Guide to FDR’s Most Influential New Deal Programs

American History, Economics, Statutes at Large, U.S. Federal Legislative History, U.S. Presidential Library
Tara Kibler

The late 1920s and the 1930s witnessed the longest and most severe economic downturn the industrialized Western world had ever seen. Brought about by numerous factors—including a four-day stock market crash, banking panic and failures, and the use of the gold standard—the Great Depression caused a substantial decline in employment, wealth, output, gross domestic product (GDP), and more in numerous countries across the globe.

In the United States, recovery from the decade-long depression was primarily helmed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who pledged “a new deal for the American people” even before assuming the presidency. This promise soon became the namesake of a series of social programs, financial reforms, federal regulations…

Read More

The Enron Corporation: A Tale of Corporate Fraud, Conspiracy, and Corruption

American History, Economics, U.S. Congressional Documents, U.S. Federal Legislative History, U.S. Presidential Library, U.S. Supreme Court
Tara Kibler

Eighteen years ago, the Enron Corporation filed for bankruptcy following one of the largest corporate scandals in American history. Among its devastating effects, Enron’s collapse left nearly 5,000 company employees without jobs, precipitated the dissolution of Arthur Andersen LLP (one of the five largest auditing and accounting companies in the world), and left a lasting impact on the financial and legal world.

Featured Databases

Don’t miss out! Make sure you have the databases featured in this post. Follow the links below to start a trial today.

1. U.S. Congressional Documents

Featuring the complete Congressional Record Bound version…

Read More

Social Security Turns 84: A History of Roosevelt’s Landmark Act

American History, Economics, Highlights in History, Law, Law Journal Library, Political Science, Reports of U.S. Presidential Commissions, Statutes at Large, U.S. Federal Agency Library, U.S. Federal Legislative History, U.S. Presidential Library
Tara Kibler

You may have a Social Security number, but do you actually know why? On this day 84 years ago, the first act was signed to implement social security programs in the United States. Explore the origins of U.S. Social Security with HeinOnline.

Before We Get Started:

Don’t miss out! Make sure you have the databases we’ll be mentioning in this post. Follow the links below to start a trial today.

Read More

One Small Step for Man, 50 Years of Innovation for Mankind

American History, Foreign Affairs, Highlights in History, Popular Culture, Statutes at Large, U.S. Congressional Documents, U.S. Congressional Serial Set, U.S. Federal Legislative History, U.S. Presidential Library
Tara Kibler

Just 66 years after Orville and Wilbur Wright took mankind to the air, the United States put a man on the moon. Tomorrow, the fiftieth anniversary of that first moon landing will be commemorated across the United States. Most U.S. citizens can tell you that Neil Armstrong was the first man to step foot on the moon, but fewer may understand the journey it took to get there. Launch into a history of the Space Race and the evolution of the Apollo program with HeinOnline.

Before We Get Started:

Don’t miss out! Make sure you have the databases we’ll be mentioning in this post…

Read More

Chernobyl: Not Just Another HBO Drama

Federal Register, Foreign Affairs, Highlights in History, Hot Topic News, Medicine, Popular Culture, Reports of U.S. Presidential Commissions, Statutes at Large, The Environment, U.S. Congressional Documents, U.S. Congressional Serial Set, U.S. Federal Agency Library, U.S. Federal Legislative History, U.S. Presidential Library, World Treaty Library
Tara Kibler

Thanks to the wildly popular HBO miniseries on the subject, the Chernobyl nuclear explosion of 1986 has become a hot topic in the news. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, an area covering approximately 1,000 square miles around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, has even become quite the tourist attraction. Journey with HeinOnline into the depths of the disaster, and learn a little more about nuclear energy in the U.S. while you’re at it.

Before We Get Started:

Don’t miss out! Make sure you have the databases we’ll be mentioning in this post. Follow the links below to start a trial today…

Read More

From Poppies to Painkillers: An Overview of the U.S. Opioid Crisis

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Current Events, Federal Register, GAO Reports and Comptroller General Decisions, Hot Topic News, Law, Medicine, Political Science, Reports of U.S. Presidential Commissions, Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, U.S. Congressional Documents, U.S. Federal Agency Library, U.S. Federal Legislative History, World Treaty Library
Tara Kibler

It has recently been determined that drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans under 50 years of age. This finding is just one effect (among many) of the rising U.S. opioid crisis which, as of 2018, has been declared a national public health emergency by the Trump Administration and by the Department of Health and Human Services. With the opioid crisis rising once again to the forefront of U.S. news given the recent Johnson & Johnson opioid lawsuit, learn about the context of the epidemic and recent U.S. countermeasures with HeinOnline.

Before We Get Started:

Don’t miss out…

Read More

You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Equality: 55 Years of Civil Rights

American History, Highlights in History, Human Rights, John F. Kennedy Assassination Collection, Law, Political Science, Statutes at Large, U.S. Federal Agency Library, U.S. Federal Legislative History, U.S. Presidential Library, U.S. Supreme Court
Tara Kibler

On this day 55 years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 during the height of the civil rights movement. Originally proposed by President John F. Kennedy, the act prohibited discrimination, ended racial segregation, created equal employment opportunity, and more. Join HeinOnline as we explore the evolution of the act, the efforts that went into its passage, and its ultimate impact.

Before We Get Started:

Don’t miss out! Make sure you have the databases we’ll be mentioning in this post. Follow the links below to start a trial today.

Read More

Pride and Prejudice: Researching Stonewall and LGBT Rights

American History, Current Events, Highlights in History, Hot Topic News, Human Rights, Law, LGBTQ, Popular Culture, Statutes at Large, U.S. Federal Legislative History, U.S. Supreme Court
Tara Kibler

Fifty years ago today, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community fought back against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City with violent demonstrations now known as the Stonewall Riots. Considered the first significant protest calling for equal rights for homosexuals, the Riots inspired future gay pride celebrations to be held annually in June. In 1999, June was officially declared “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month” by President Bill Clinton. Pride Month was later expanded to “LGBT Pride Month” by President Barack Obama in 2009.

The Stonewall Riots launched an international phenomenon that continues to grow as LGBT rights are increasingly recognized across the globe…

Read More

New Legislative Histories Now Available!

HeinOnline Updates, U.S. Federal Legislative History, What's New
Lauren Mattiuzzo

HeinOnline’s U.S. Federal Legislative History Library includes comprehensive federal legislative histories published by the U.S. Government Publishing Office as well as private publishers. Users can research legislative intent behind major public laws and follow the progression of a bill from its introduction to its passage. We recently added two new legislative histories to this database, and we want to make sure you didn’t miss them! See what’s new in today’s blog.

FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 2016

Read More