U.S. History: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Take it from a German: Knowing your own history is important, no matter how uncomfortable it is.

Imagine us Germans teaching history like "there was Hitler but we overcame him and now there is no more antisemitism"

If you’re not uncomfortable at some point during history class, either it’s being taught wrong or you lack empathy for other human beings.

“If this is the first time that you’re learning about the only coup on American soil…” that quote aged itself 🥲

My U.S. history teacher in 11th grade was a college professor , and just straight up told us the curriculum text books were crap. Then proceeded to teach us about the taking of America, the slaughter of Native Americans and slavery through the years. I guess looking back I'm very thankful he did, for i didn't have to grow up ignorant to the reality that is the United States of America.

I remember in high school my teacher got pissed when we got to the civil war in the new textbook. It claimed it was because of states rights. He stopped the class for 2 days to make it clear it was because of slavery. He was a vet, and he was proud of his country, even the horrible parts. He said that pretending we had no issues was an insult to everyone who ever tried to make the US better.

What really staggers me about "the worst day in America is better than the best day in any other country" is not that meatheads say it, it's that nobody seems in any way aware of how completely untrue and toxic that is.

As a texan who went to private school (as recently as class of ‘18), let me tell you the mental gymnastics are INSANE. We’re taught that Robert E Lee was a “tragic hero,” and that Andrew Jackson was one of the most “effective” Presidents in history. My personal favorite though is books that claim Stonewall Jackson was a “legendary tactician” yet in the same breath add that he died from being shot by his own men. Because he decided to

Here in Australia we have a similar problem.

"Ignoring the history you don't like is not a victimless act." Might be one of the most powerful one-liners John has ever spoken.

I had a third grade teacher who African American and she didn’t hold back when she talked about the civil war and civil rights movement. Seeing footage of people being beaten and hosed still stick with me to this day and I’m thankful for that

Every day, this piece (sadly) ages like fine wine

As a german: Just imagine if we wouldn't be taught about the Holocaust.

Complaining about Obama bringing up politics at John Lewis's funeral is like complaining about someone talking about basketball at Kobe's funeral.

Thank you for addressing this! As a grandfather of mixed grandbabies i want to be able to teach them everything possible from history good or bad. So they can make informed choice as the grow. Im the only father figure in their lives and even though im mixed myself, white and Hispanic, im not African American and I will reach out to my friends who are for help at times. I try my hardest to inform myself to raise them right. This was just a step in my growth. Thank you!

Speaking truth to power with incredibly raw wit and wisdom once again. Thank you John Oliver and Team

"Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor."

"History, when taught well, shows us how to improve the world. But history, when taught poorly, falsely claims there is nothing to improve." THIS should hang on the wall of every classroom in America.

For those of you who are a bit confused about why scientists would put in the effort to recreate some random mummy's voice; Nesyamun was a priest in Thebes, during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses XI.

John Oliver's content aims right for the bullseye, week after week. We need him!