The Journal of Mississippi History invites submissions for a special issue commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. This landmark anniversary provides a unique opportunity to explore Mississippi's rich history within the broader context of American history, reflecting on the past 250 years and envisioning the future. Each author selected for publication will receive a $1,000 honorarium upon final submission.
Themes and Topics:
We welcome manuscripts that delve into various aspects of Mississippi’s history over the past 250 years, inspired by the guiding themes from the “Making History at 250 Field Guide” by the American Association for State and Local History. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:
- Unfinished Revolutions:
- Mississippi’s role in the fight for liberty, equality, and justice.
- Revolutionary moments in Mississippi's history beyond the American Revolution.
- Local advocacy for rights and justice and the responses from those in power.
- Power of Place:
- The significance of place in Mississippi’s history, including Indigenous people’s connections to the land.
- The impact of the natural environment on historical events in Mississippi.
- Stories of local historic sites and their relevance to the community.
- We the People:
- Changing definitions of citizenship and belonging in Mississippi.
- The experiences and contributions of diverse populations in Mississippi's history.
- Exclusion and inclusion in Mississippi's political, economic, and cultural life.
- American Experiment:
- The evolution of Mississippi's government and democratic institutions.
- Key moments in the development of local and state governance.
- Civic engagement and its impact on Mississippi’s history.
- Memory and Myth:
- The role of Mississippi’s evolving narrative as it publicly commemorates key events.
- The role of archives, oral history, and community knowledge in understanding Mississippi’s past.
- The role of state agencies and local historical societies in preserving and educating about history.
- How the narrative of Mississippi history has changed since the bicentennial in 1976.
Submission Guidelines:
- Deadline: Submissions must be received by September 15, 2025.
- Format: Manuscripts should be submitted in Word, typed and double-spaced, and between 5,000 and 8,000 words, including footnotes and references. Please follow the Chicago Manual of Style for citations.
- Abstract: Include an abstract of no more than 250 words.
- Contact Information: Provide your name, affiliation, and contact details.
Review Process:
Following an initial review, qualifying essays will undergo a peer review process, prior to acceptance. Final selections will be made based on relevance to the 250th commemorative theme and effectiveness in placing Mississippi’s history within the larger context of American history. This issue seeks to include a diverse collection of essays that represent a variety of perspectives, topics, and time periods. Authors will be notified of the acceptance of their manuscripts by December 15, 2025.
Publication Date:
The special issue is scheduled for publication in July 2026.
Submission Instructions:
Please submit your manuscripts electronically to mhs@mdah.ms.gov with the subject line "Special Issue Submission: America250." For any inquiries, please contact Stephanie Rolph at rolphsc@millsaps.edu.