World History
Does history really repeat itself, or can we learn from the mistakes of those who came before us? History provides a chronological, statistical, and cultural record of the events, people, and movements that have made an impact on humankind and the world at large throughout the ages. Investigating the causes and results of past events is critically important in gaining a full understanding and perspective of present-day issues.
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Featured content, April 21, 2021
Did the Vikings Discover America?
Learn how the Vikings beat Christopher Columbus to America by 500 years.
Demystified / World History
How Did the World Learn About Emmett Till’s Murder?
Emmett Till’s horrific death shocked the world and mobilized millions of Americans against racism. But how did the news spread?
Companion / World History
All in the Family: 8 Famous Sets of Siblings
Their parents are extra extra proud.
List / World History
Pirate School: 5 Things You Can Shoot from a Cannon
Hit me with your best shot.
#WTFact / World History
Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived for a thousand years after the western half had crumbled...
Encyclopedia / World History
Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution, (1910–20), a long and bloody struggle among several factions in constantly shifting alliances which resulted...
Encyclopedia / World History
Seven Years' War
Seven Years’ War, (1756–63), the last major conflict before the French Revolution to involve all the great powers of Europe....
Encyclopedia / World History
Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years’ War, (1618–48), in European history, a series of wars fought by various nations for various reasons, including...
Encyclopedia / World History
World History Quizzes
Before They Were World Leaders: Middle East Edition
What did Middle East leaders do before they became leaders?
U.S. Presidential Firsts
How well do you know the U.S. presidents? Take this quiz to find out.
Newspapers: Read All About It!
Extra! Extra! Test your knowledge of newspapers and news history in this quiz.
First Ladies of the United States
They have been hostesses, helpers, advisers, gatekeepers, guardians, confidantes, and sometimes formidable powers behind...
Military History Buff Quiz
Can you tell your Salamis from your Stalingrad? Test your knowledge of some of the greatest moments in military history.
Name the African Battle
Are you a fan of African history? Test your knowledge with this quiz.
The Vietnam War
Who backed whom? How was the U.S. involved? Which foreign leaders were involved? Test your knowledge of the Vietnam War with...
Columbian Exchange: New World or Old World?
Do you know the origins of the crops and livestock exchanged between the Old and the New World following Christopher Columbus’s...
Pulitzer Prize
Who was Joseph Pulitzer? What is the Pulitzer Prize? Who has won it? Take this quiz to find out just how much you know about...
Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
Ancient Egypt had a huge pantheon of gods and goddesses. How many of them do you know?
World History Videos
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World History Subcategories
Accidents & Disasters
Technology and its related processes have been the site of great innovation and advancement over the course of time, but sometimes such improvements came at a high price, after serious accidents, disasters, or tragedies belatedly prompted closer scrutiny of existing procedures. Advances in science have also improved the accuracy of human predictions on some of nature's most forceful manifestations, but earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other natural phenomena still yield devastating consequences worldwide.
Articles
- Chile earthquake of 2010
- Chile mine rescue of 2010
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Challenger disaster
United States history [1986]
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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French Revolution
1787–1799
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Meiji Restoration
Japanese history
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Haitian Revolution
Haitian history
The Ancient World
The modern world has inherited many cultural elements from ancient civilizations, from communications systems to ways of improving technology. Their stories, battles, and views on life are still relevant today for a full understanding of our world and our cultural legacy.
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Babylon
ancient city, Mesopotamia, Asia
- Aegean civilizations
- Ancient Egypt
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Jules Michelet
French historian
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Thomas Carlyle
British essayist and historian
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Herodotus
Greek historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Wei dynasty
Chinese history [386-534/535]
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Hōjō Family
Japanese family
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Fujiwara Family
Japanese family
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Cosimo I
duke of Florence and Tuscany [1519–1574]
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Itō Hirobumi
prime minister of Japan
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Ludovico Sforza
duke of Milan
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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David Livingstone
Scottish explorer and missionary
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Abel Tasman
Dutch explorer and navigator
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
United States history
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages comprise the period in European history that began with the collapse of Roman civilization in the 5th century CE and lasted until the dawn of the Renaissance in the 13th, 14th, or 15th century. This interval of time saw the development of the Gothic style of art and architecture, flying buttresses and all. It was also the era of the Crusades and of papal monarchy, and it was during this period that the idea of Europe as a distinct cultural unit emerged.
Articles
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Battle of Tours
European history [732]
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Norman Conquest
British history
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Black Death
pandemic, medieval Europe
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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George Washington
president of United States
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Andrew Jackson
president of United States
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Augustus
Roman emperor
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Weimar Republic
German history [1918–1933]
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Treaty of Versailles
1919
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Mikhail Gorbachev
president of Soviet Union
Prehistoric Age
The prehistoric age covers the millions of years that transpired before human beings began to create written records of their life and of the world in which they lived. Archaeology and similar fields of study allow us to fill in the gaps and piece together an image of what life was like for our ancestors, including what kinds of flora and fauna they might have encountered.
Articles
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Moche
ancient South American culture
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Jōmon culture
ancient culture, Japan
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Aurignacian culture
prehistoric technology and art
United States History
As with most nations, the history of the United States contains a number of twists and turns throughout the centuries, from the time of English colonization of North America up to the modern-day America that we're familiar with. Learn more about the people, events, and movements that left an indelible mark in history and shaped the development of the United States as a nation.
Articles
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Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
United States history
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Burr-Hamilton duel
duel, Weehawken, New Jersey, United States [1804]
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Battle of Gettysburg
American Civil War [1863]
Wars, Battles & Armed Conflicts
Wars, battles, and other domestic or international conflicts, whether armed or diplomatic, are often the outcome of a dispute over natural resources or a struggle for power, influence, and wealth. Major conflicts between nations, peoples, and political groups can end up shifting the cultural and political geography of the world and can also effect change, whether intentional or not, in societal values and the balance of power.
Articles
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World War I
1914–1918
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World War II
1939–1945
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Crusades
Christianity
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