An Historical Map of the United States

Even-handed pictorial map of American history published by the Scholastic Corporation.

This tremendous pictorial map of the United States presents an illustrated overview of the major milestones that have shaped the history of the country. Text and vignettes across the page highlight important dates ranging from Drake’s circumnavigation in 1579 to clipper service to Europe established in 1939.

Despite the publication date of 1940, the imagery used within the borders is surprisingly impartial when it comes to depictions of different races and events. Though the skin tone of Geronimo and Booker T. Washington is far from accurate, the use of separate colors and stoic illustrations reflects a conscious effort. Furthermore, the inclusion of events such as the founding of the Socialist Party, the first female elected officials, ratification of child labor laws, and the progressive La Follette is also indicative of an interesting liberal trend also reflected in the list of Important Events in Washington, D.C. at the bottom of the sheet. Two inset maps of areas in New England can be seen in the lower right.

The Scholastic Corporation began in 1920 as The Western Pennsylvania Scholastic, a four page publication that covered local sports and activities published by Maurice Robinson. He and his son, the current CEO, developed the brand into the large multinational publishing house that it is today, perhaps best known for the ubiquitous Scholastic Book Fairs that take place in schools across the country.