The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

Book Details & Major Themes

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story is an anthology curated by Nikole Hannah-Jones that challenges the white lens commonly applied to US history, instead centering the contributions, labor, and intellectualism of the country’s Black citizens. This book represents the culmination of an original issue of The New York Times Magazine commemorating the arrival of enslaved Africans to American shores in 1619 and framing this as the US's true founding. Taken as a whole, the collection explores themes of Slavery's Pervasive Impact on American Institutions, Black Resistance as a Persistence Force Against Racial Injustice, and The Role of Black Americans in Shaping the National Identity.

Accolades & Cultural Influence

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story was named one of the 10 greatest works of journalism between 2010-2019 by New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, and Hannah-Jones herself was the winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. Since the work's publication, The 1619 Project has expanded, including a television mini-series, podcasts, and school curriculum.

Content Warning

The source material contains graphic descriptions of slavery, physical and sexual abuse, sexual assault, and murder. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story also covers historical resources that may use outdated or racist language.