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The article focuses on the assessment of the historical perspectives regarding the role of the westward expansion to the social history of the U.S. The author pointed out that the return the West to the world begins with the acknowledgment of the contested origins in what Americans call the colonial era. The expansionist schemes to the west were a complex conflicts between European rivals as well as between the Indians and the Americans. The Indians were the victims of European colonialism and American expansionism. The Indian population has decline due to various circumstances brought about by the increasing American population and emigration. Significantly, the history of the West has influenced popular culture.

The article focuses on the historical background of the first national lesbian organization Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) founded by prominent lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin in the U.S. The author points out that the story of DOB provides a unique example of women's activism during a time in contemporary U.S. history often portrayed by historians as socially and politically quiescent. He discusses the dynamics and politics inside the DOB organization as well as the issues and problems tackled by the group. He cites the significant achievements made by DOB in the promotion lesbian rights. The publication "Ladder" was the voice of lesbians and feminists in the country, however, problems within the leadership contributed to its demise. Despite the dominant culture of conformity, the group has managed to organize and educate lesbians.

The article features the great publisher Henry Louis Mencken and the social conditions of the U.S. during 1920's as presented in the mass media. The author assesses the editorship of Mencken of "The American Mercury." The author discusses the characteristics and demeanor of Mencken. Significantly, he was linked to the controversial Scopes trial wherein he himself coined the term "monkey trial" to describe it. Finally, the author discusses the post-editorship career of Mencken and his perspectives on various political and social developments affecting the country.

The article discusses liberty and slavery in the U.S. during the nineteenth century. During the period, some people's liberty depended upon the denial of liberty to others. The liberty that offered prosperity to Southern white men consequently had an oppressive effect on the Native American people, whose vast lands white men have assumed from them, and to African Americans whose labor converted these lands to profitable plantations. The events explain why the South has been excluded in discussions on market revolution. But in reality, the South has figured prominently in the broader history of the capitalist development of the U.S. And slavery was a major component to this economic progress. It is an unfortunate fact that slaves, through slaveholders, made up a market that involved a form of human commodification or the buying and selling of human beings.

The article discusses various published reports within the issue including one by Robert E. Zieger that explores themes of race and power in the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," one by Mary Corey and Mark Harnischfeger that examines segregation in baseball in the United States and one by Brian Ward that explores the 1956 attach on signer Nat King Cole.