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.
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Featured content, January 17, 2025
Queen Elizabeth's Court Occultist
Was John Dee a sorcerer or a scholar?
8 of Nellie Bly's Most Sensational Stories
Discover the extraordinary lengths Nellie Bly went to for some of her most astounding stories.
What was Hadrian’s architectural legacy?
What was Hadrian’s architectural legacy?
Why Is Marijuana Illegal in the U.S.?
Get the 411 on why 420 was outlawed in the U.S.
Thirty Years’ War
Thirty Years’ War, (1618–48), in European history, a series of wars fought by various nations for various reasons, including...
French Revolution
French Revolution, revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799 and reached its first climax there in 1789—hence...
history of Europe
History of Europe, history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous...
South African War
South African War, war fought from October 11, 1899, to May 31, 1902, between Great Britain and the two Boer (Afrikaner)...
World History Quizzes
True or False: Famous Curses
Were the Chicago Cubs cursed because of a pet rooster? What do we really know about the Bermuda Triangle? See how much you...
Off With His Head Quiz
Whether by rifle, sword, guillotine, or axe, there’s no shortage of murdered rulers in history. Take this quiz to discover...
Quick Quiz: Around The World With Nellie Bly
How much do you know about the journalist who traveled around the globe, investigated corruption, and fought sexism while...
Fast Facts About Abolitionism Quiz
When did France abolish the slave trade? Who founded the American Anti-Slavery Society? See how many of these fast facts...
Quick Quiz: Women In The Voting Booth
You may know everything about the Seneca Falls Convention and the 19th Amendment. But do you know these lesser-known facts...
Cleopatra: Fact or Fiction?
Was Cleopatra a manipulative imperialist? A gifted scholar and ruler? A romantic heroine? Press “start” on this quiz to see...
Alexander the Great: Fact or Fiction?
Alexander the Great’s reign marked a turning point in European and Asian history. But how much do you really know about him?...
True or False: What Makes a Pirate?
Ahoy, matey! You know how to talk the pirate talk, but what about walking the pirate walk? See how much you know about what...
Napoleon I: Fact or Fiction?
You may think you know everything about Napoleon Bonaparte. But can you actually tell fact from fiction about this famous...
This Day in History Quiz: December 13
How much do you know about what happened in history on December 13? Take this quiz and find out.
World History Videos
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World History Subcategories
Accidents & Disasters
Nature isn’t always peaceful and idyllic. Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other powerful natural phenomena can have devastating consequences on communities and regions throughout the world. But nature is far from the only instigator of large-scale misfortune; human-made disasters and tragedies, both accidental and intentional, can cause significant misery, damage, and loss of life.
Articles
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Russian Revolution
Russian history [1917]
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Iranian Revolution
[1978–1979]
- Mexican Revolution
The Ancient World
The modern world may look very different from the world that existed in the time of ancient civilizations, but our modern-day life continues to show the influence of cultures, traditions, ideas, and innovations from hundreds of years ago. Learn more about important historical civilizations, sites, people, and events.
Articles
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sphinx
mythology
- pre-Columbian civilizations
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ancient Greek civilization
historical region, Eurasia
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Herodotus
Greek historian
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Ibn Khaldūn
Muslim historian
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A.J.P. Taylor
British historian and journalist
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Medici family
Italian family
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Tang dynasty
Chinese history
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house of Este
Italian family
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Charles
duke of Burgundy
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Bohemond I
prince of Otranto and of Antioch
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Henry III
duke of Bavaria and Saxony
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
- European exploration
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American frontier
United States history
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Daniel Boone
American frontiersman
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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Charlemagne
Holy Roman emperor [747?–814]
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Middle Ages
historical era
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Holy Roman Empire
historical empire, Europe
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Kemal Atatürk
president of Turkey
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Oliver Cromwell
English statesman
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Hannibal
Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BCE]
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Vietnam War
1954–1975
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Ho Chi Minh
president of North Vietnam
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Rebellions of 1837
Canadian history
Prehistoric Age
The prehistoric age covers the millions of years that took place 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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dolmen
archaeology
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stela
architecture
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Hohokam culture
prehistoric North American Indian culture
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 the 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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United States presidential election of 1972
United States government
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9-11 Commission
United States commission
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American Revolution
United States history
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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Cuban Revolution
Cuban history
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Hundred Years’ War
England and France [14th–15th century]
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Punic Wars
Carthage and Rome [264 bce–146...
