As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, it is already the second-longest on record. A weary American public should start thinking not just about how to stop this shutdown but how to prevent these embarrassing episodes in the future.

CNN’s Omar Jimenez talks to pollster and communication strategist Frank Luntz on how Democrats and Republicans view the closure. Luntz predicts this will be the longest shutdown in American history.

Annie Polland argues that studying our humble roots teaches us what really makes American history exceptional.

Others similarly weighed in. Whoopi Goldberg on “The View” declared that Americans solve political disagreements peacefully: “This is not the way we do it.” Yet other awful episodes come immediately to mind: President John F. Kennedy was shot and ...

The ongoing government shutdown is breaking milestones as Democrats and Republicans are still far apart on federal spending.

The United States isn’t exceptional because of our common culture; it’s exceptional because Americans have been able to cohere despite cultures that set us apart.

Two assassination attempts on President Trump. The assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband and the wounding of others. The shooting death of a top healthcare executive. The killing of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington.

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who helped galvanize youth support for President Donald Trump, commanded significant influence in right-wing politics. Kirk was shot and killed earlier in September while speaking on stage at an event in Orem, Utah.

Charlie Kirk’s assassination fits into American history. How does it fit into our politics? Credit...Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images Supported by By Jia Lynn Yang Jia Lynn Yang, a former national editor, worked on coverage of nearly every high-profile ...