On San Marcos Avenue in St. Augustine, Florida, stands the replicated Mission Nombre de Dios. Towering over the mission is a 208-foot stainless steel cross marking the site of the first known Catholic mass celebrated in Florida in 1620. A few hundred miles to the north in Montgomery, Alabama, sits the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, known to many as the birthplace of the civil rights movement. Newport, Rhode Island's Touro Synagogue, dedicated in 1763, urged new leaders Washington and Jefferson to form a government ""which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance."" From the pre-Columbian Anasazi kivas of Colorado built in the 1300s to the Peace Chapel constructed in 1970 on the Canadian border, this work examines the roots of 51 historic sites throughout the United States. Each entry provides detailed background material on the place of worship and those who established it, along with its location and religious affiliation. Sites include those devoted to Indian or Native American, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Baha'i, and other beliefs. The essays also place the church or site into an historical perspective, tracing how their foundings impacted the development of the United States.

As the debate over affirmative action appears before the Supreme Court, it might help to look back over the last century to see what important events in race relations have brought us to this point. In terms of racial injustice, it is imperative to study the historical events in terms of what has been learned, to make certain the evils of the past are not repeated. This chronology begins with the Plessy v. Fergussen decision on May 18, 1896 and ends with the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It includes such topics as the American white Imperialism of the early century and the implications of the 2000 census. This book traces a trail through the most important characters, incidents, and ideas that shaped how Americans of varying racial backgrounds have interacted with each other. The more than 200 entries focus on decisions and events that had a national impact.

This timely new book explores the formation of the Radical Feminist Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, its prominent leaders and organizations, and the issues it sought to address. Radical Feminists: A Guide to an American Subculture provides a current, comprehensive introduction to the Radical Feminists of the 1960s and 1970s, familiarizing readers with the individuals, organizations, actions, and philosophies that comprised this now-historic movement. Of course, the feminists of the 1960s and 1970s stood on the shoulders of the crusaders who came before. Thus, the book looks at important historical events that paved the way for Radical Feminism, also examining the influence of the Women's Suffrage, Civil Rights, and New Left Movements. Specific social and political issues that concerned the Radical Feminists are explored, including sexuality, sex roles, contraception, and abortion; equal opportunity; feminism in the media; and women in leadership. Finally, the work scrutinizes the fate of the Radical Feminists and their legacy, discussing how their work affected the women's movement overall and how it affects the women-and men-of today. Biographical profiles of prominent individuals and organizations involved in Radical Feminism A primary documents section, highlighting important works from the Radical Feminist era Photographs and illustrations Tables and sidebars Timelines of the Radical Feminist era and its historical precedents A glossary defining terms pertinent to Radical Feminism