Don’t Miss Out! Check Out the Top 5 Blog Posts of 2024 on What American History Is About
Wrapping up 2024 on the history blog!
The majority of readers get to this blog through Google searches- by a landslide. And as a blogger looking to make this thing a sustainable business, I couldn't be more satisfied in knowing that. I discovered this fact awhile back and decided to really focus on history, (read more here). How? Statistics of course!
And I still track stats - monthly and- for the first time with this blog, annually. As we kick off 2025 I wanted to share the most popular (most clicked!) posts from 2024. Let's take a look back count it down!
Disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.
Rear view of historic building in Colonial Williamsburg
The list.
Whether you just found this blog or have been around a bit, I'm confident at least one of these posts will resonate with you if it hasn't already. Every link will open into a new tab so don't worry about losing your spot! Cheers!
5) Weekend Reads.
When I began this blog, I created this post simply titled Weekend Reads for American History Lovers. I wasn't going for search engine optimization, it plainly was what it was.
And sometimes when you just naturally write, it works. It's how I've always written- I've stayed true to the content and topic. In this case, Google recognized the value of the post!
What I love about this post: it's short and sweet and the three books I recommend are diverse - covering topics that only overlap in their relation to American history. From Jamestown to forensics to country music, I've got you covered.
As the blog has evolved I've started doing book reviews as independent posts, but I may do more that are "bulk" in the future knowing how popular this post is!
Detailed marker on Jamestown Island.
4) US Place Names-the cities edition.
OK, I designated the post in the number four spot as the "cities edition" of articles focused on United States place names... but as of writing this in January, 2025, it's the only edition. So knowing the amount of search queries that led readers to my blog based on this one- I'll be following up with more place name posts this year!
Click here if you're interested in knowing the most popular city names around our nation. (As well as the history behind those names of course!)
3) Meeting a Nation Builder named Jane Vobe.
Colonial Williamsburg (CW) is known for many things. The Nation Builder program is one of the highlights in my opinion. 2024 brought us Jane Vobe, an addition to the program who I had to share on this blog.
My article published February of 2024 after seeing one of Sharon Hollands' first performances in her role as Mrs. Vobe, has consistently been ranked "up top" when you Google Jane Vobe. Page one from the start!
Click here and see why having Jane Vobe out and about on the streets and stages of CW is important to truly understanding 18th century America.
King's Arms Tavern, previously owned by Jane Vobe
2) Horses and the American Revolution.
I always learn something when I wander around CW. People may get tired of hearing it but: I know I'm blessed to have what's currently the world's largest living history museum on my doorstep.
One day our friend and CW's skilled historian Mark Schneider was riding "Ajax" on the Courthouse Green. It's something he often does in his longtime role interpreting the Marquis de Lafayette.
On this particular day, he began answering multiple questions about horses and it got me on an equine rabbit hole. The result: the 2nd most-clicked (and read) post on this blog in 2024!
Mark Schneider on Ajax, 2024
1) Year 24s in American History.
I'm amazed at the amount of Google searches and clicks on this one: a post sharing historical tidbits from 1624, 1724, 1824, and 1924 as we entered 2024.
Common queries include: "what happened in 1624" (and each of the other years). It's a thing-- clearly!
The result of having all the analytics showing this post as the most-read: I'll be doing a similar post this month (January 2025) unveiling some fun facts about American history in year 25s!
Click here to read the most-read post on this blog in 2024.
Honorable mention (and number 6 most-clicked on Google): Raleigh Tavern!
I have to drop my post about things to love about the Raleigh Tavern, past and present. Simply put: if you count clicks beyond Google (other search engines, social media, etc. and so forth) it actually made the top 5.
Additionally, I love writing about places, buildings, and the stories they tell about the history of our United States. The Raleigh Tavern is in Colonial Williamsburg and it's place in the beginning of America as we know it is priceless.
Raleigh Tavern at night, December 2024
Closing words from history.
From Benjamin Franklin. His decision to start a newspaper in opposition to Mr. Bradford's. Click here for the full story and the full letter, with citations.
I'm sharing this bit because A) It's Franklin B) I love it and C) his reasoning--- and maybe my mission with this blog and sharing his history, just like the mission here in CW about learning from the past--- it truly resonates with me.
The Busy-Body, No. 1, 4 February 1729
Mr. Andrew Bradford,
I design this to acquaint you, that I, who have long been one of your Courteous Readers, have lately entertain’d some Thoughts of setting up for an Author my Self; not out of the least Vanity, I assure you, or Desire of showing my Parts, but purely for the Good of my Country.
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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.
1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.
2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.
3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.
