Interested in finding out more about a range of topics in Ohio’s past? Ohio’s collection of Chronicling America topic guides provides introductory information about a person, group, place, event, concept, or other phenomena in Ohio’s history. These guides also give you important dates, helpful search terms and strategies and links to sample newspaper articles on topics that were widely reported on by the Ohio press of the time. For even more topic guides, see Chronicling America’s Recommended Topics, created and maintained by the Library of Congress.
Accidents, Disasters and Epidemics
Learn about some of the unfortunate incidents that affected Ohioans, and how they overcame the disastrous effects of those events.
- 1918 Flu Pandemic (Spanish Flu) (1918-1919)
- Ashtabula River Railroad Disaster (1876-1877)
- Collinwood School Fire (1908)
- Great Dayton Flood (1913)
- S. S. Sultana Disaster (1863-1866)
African Americans
Learn about the work, leisure, daily life and contributions of African Americans in Ohio in a broad range of fields and how they have affected our state and nation.
- Colonel Charles Young (1864-1922)
- Fugitive Slave Cases (1793-1865)
- Gist Settlements (1810-1920)
- Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1909)
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1851-1853)
- Wilberforce University (1856-present)
American Indians
Explore the American Indian cultures in Ohio before, during, and after European settlement. Learn more about Ohio History Connection’s effort to inscript several Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks sites (in Ross County, Licking County, and Warren County) to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Arts, Entertainment and Literature
Learn about the diverse artistic endeavors of Ohio authors, painters, sculptors, musicians and entertainers and the influence of Ohioans on the growth of American popular culture.
- Alice (1820-1871) & Phoebe Cary (1824-1871)
- Ambrose Bierce (1842-c. 1914)
- The Circus (1793-present)
- Croatian Day Celebrations (1932-present)
- George Bellows (1882-1925)
- German American Artists from Cincinnati (c. 1860-c. 1930)
- Marguerite Clark (1883-1940)
- O. Henry (1862-1910)
- Ohio State Fair (1850-present)
- Ohio’s Giant Couple (1861-1919)
- Ohio Zoos (1873-present)
- Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1909)
- Petroleum V. Nasby Letters (1862-1888)
- Slovenian Singing Societies in Cleveland (1912-present)
- Theda Bara (1885-1955)
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1851-1853)
- William Dean Howells (1837-1920)
Business and Labor
Learn about the evolution of Ohio’s economy from its earliest stages to its emergence as one of the world’s largest industrial centers, as well as its adjustments to the modern economy.
- Firestone Tire & Rubber Company (1900-present)
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (1898-present)
- Great Hocking Valley Coal Strike (1884-1885)
- John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937)
- Ohio’s Beer Brewing Industry (1800-present)
- Procter & Gamble (1837-present)
- Theodor Kundtz (1852-1937)
- Winton Motor Carriage Company (1896-1924)
Civil Liberties and Activism
Learn about the role of Ohioans in refining democracy, testing its limits and working toward a more perfect union, including the struggles for rights and reform.
- Akron Riot of 1900
- Anti-Saloon league of America (1893-1933)
- Frances Dana Gage (1808-1884)
- Fugitive Slave Cases (1793-1865)
- Great Hocking Valley Coal Strike (1884-1885)
- John Rankin (1793-1886)
- Petroleum V. Nasby Letters (1862-1888)
- Samuel Fenton Cary (1814-1900)
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1851-1853)
- Victoria Woodhull (1838-1937)
Education
Explore Ohio’s local, state and national influence in terms of the development of general and higher education.
- Collinwood School Fire (1908)
- Miami University (1809-present)
- Oberlin College (1833-present)
- Ohio State University (1870-present)
- Ohio University (1804-present)
- Pontifical College Josephinum (1888-present)
- University of Cincinnati (1819-present)
- Wilberforce University (1856-present)
Government, Politics and Law
Learn about the rich history of Ohio politics and government at the state and local level and its role in the lives of average Ohioans, starting with the Northwest Ordinance and early statehood. Also explore the national circumstances that made it possible for eight Ohioans to serve as president.
- Akron Riot of 1900
- Annette “Nettie” Cronise Lutes (1843-1923)
- Anti-Saloon league of America (1893-1933)
- Cincinnati Courthouse Riot of 1884
- Clement L. Vallandigham (1820-1871)
- Crime & Punishment
- Edward Tiffin (1766-1829)
- Frank B. Willis (1871-1928)
- Frank J. Lausche (1895-1990)
- George Hoadly (1826-1902)
- Harry L. Davis (1878-1950)
- James M. Cox (1870-1957)
- Jan Pankuch (1869-1952)
- John J. Babka (1884-1937)
- Judson Harmon (1846-1947)
- McKinley National Memorial (1901-present)
- Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
- Nicholas Longworth (1869-1931)
- Ohio’s Constitutional Conventions (1802, 1850-1851, 1873-1874, 1912)
- Samuel Fenton Cary (1814-1900)
- Samuel Medary, “Old Wheel-Horse of Democracy” (1801-1864)
- Tariff Act of 1890 (McKinley Tariff)
- Victoria Woodhull (1838-1937)
- Whitelaw Reid (1837-1912)
- William Dennison Jr. (1815-1882)
- Wilson Shannon (1802-1877)
Immigration and Ethnic Heritage
Discover Ohio’s rich heritage through an exploration of migration patterns and regionalism, the immigrant experience, and social and cultural traditions.
- Antanas Smetona (1874-1944)
- Anti-German Sentiment during World War I (1914-1920)
- Antoni A. Paryski, “The Polish Hearst” (1864-1935)
- Croatian Day Celebrations (1932-present)
- Croatian Fraternal Union/Hrvatska Bratska Zajednica (1894-present)
- First Catholic Slovak Union/Ladies Union (1890-present)
- Frank J. Lausche (1895-1990)
- German-American Artists from Cincinnati (c. 1860-c. 1930)
- Jan Pankuch (1869-1952)
- John J. Babka (1884-1937)
- Lithuanian Churches in Cleveland (1895-present)
- Ohio’s Beer Brewing Industry (1800-present)
- Pontifical College Josephinum (1888-present)
- Slovenian Singing Societies in Cleveland (1912-present)
- Stella Walsh (Stanisława Walasiewicz) (1911-1980)
- Theodor Kundtz (1852-1937)
- Theodore Andrica (1900-1990)
Innovations
Explore how Ohio-generated science, technology and ideas have shaped our world and where it might lead us in the future.
- Cincinnati Fire Department (1852-present)
- Firestone Tire & Rubber Company (1900-present)
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (1898-present)
- Interurban Railways (1887-1939)
- Recipes & Cooking Tips
- Telegraph Reports (1835-present)
- University of Cincinnati (1819-present)
- Winton Motor Carriage Company (1896-1924)
Military and Wartime
Learn about the sacrifices and achievements of Ohio’s men and women during wartime as well as the effect of war on the daily lives of Ohioans.
- Andrews’ Raiders, or The Great Locomotive Chase (1862-1863)
- Anti-German Sentiment during World War I (1914-1920)
- Camp Chase/Confederate Cemetery (1861-1865)
- Camp Sherman (1917-1921)
- Civil War Correspondence (1861-1865)
- Colonel Charles Young (1864-1922)
- Edward Eddie Rickenbacker (1890-1973)
- Fighting McCooks (1861-1907)
- Fort Meigs (1813-present)
- Mary Ann “Mother” Bickerdyke (1817-1901)
- Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
- Morgan’s Raid (1863)
- “Squirrel Hunters” (1862)
Nature and its Resources
Explore the diversity of Ohio’s landscape and settlement including natural features such as mountains and rivers. Also learn about the flora and fauna of Ohio, including their history and their relationship with Ohio’s people.
- Great Dayton Flood (1913)
- Lake Erie
- Lake Erie Islands
- Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon (1914)
- Ohio River
- Old Man’s Cave
- Periodical Cicadas & Locusts
Religion
Learn about he broad and vibrant range of religious experience in Ohio and the impact religion has had on our state and its people
- First Catholic Slovak Union/Ladies Union (1890-present)
- John Rankin (1793-1886)
- Lithuanian Churches in Cleveland (1895-present)
- Pontifical College Josephinum (1888-present)
- Zoar Village (1817-present)
Sports
Discover the dynamic history of sports in Ohio, including the accomplishments of our state’s athletes, the emergence of organized professional sports and the significance of amateur sports as a leisure activity.
- Cincinnati Reds Baseball Team (1866-present)
- Cleveland Indians Baseball Team (1901-present)
- Denton “Cy” Young (1867-1955)
- Edward “Eddie” Rickenbacker (1890-1973)
- Ohio State Football (1890-present)
- Ray Chapman (1891-1920)
- Stella Walsh (Stanisława Walasiewicz) (1911-1980)
Women
Learn about the struggles, accomplishments and daily life of Ohio women and their influence both locally and nationally.
- Alice (1820-1871) & Phoebe Cary (1824-1871)
- Annette “Nettie” Cronise Lutes (1843-1923)
- Annie Oakley (1860-1926)
- “Cassie Chadwick” (1857-1907)
- Frances Dana Gage (1808-1884)
- Marguerite Clark (1883-1940)
- Mary Ann “Mother” Bickerdyke (1817-1901)
- Stella Walsh (Stanisława Walasiewicz) (1911-1980)
- Theda Bara (1885-1955)
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1851-1853)
- Victoria Woodhull (1838-1937)