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, March 21, 2025
Why Was Nazi Germany Called the Third Reich?
A bit of background on the First and Second Reichs.
8 of History’s Most Famous Charlatans, Con Artists, and Tricksters
An alchemist who could preserve youth? A nobleman who danced in the belly of a fish? Famous tricksters have fooled, or at...
What Did It Look Like for a U.S. President to Condemn Racism in 1921?
In a 1921 speech, U.S. President Warren G. Harding argued for economic, political, and educational equality between white...
What Led to France’s Reign of Terror?
Some 17,000 people were killed in the Reign of Terror, and as many as 10,000 more died in prison or without trial. What caused...
Renaissance
Renaissance, period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages and conventionally held to have been characterized...
Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire, empire created by Turkish tribes in Anatolia (Asia Minor) that grew to be one of the most powerful states...
Napoleon I
Napoleon I was a French general, first consul (1799–1804), and emperor of the French (1804–1814/15), one of the most celebrated...
Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution, in modern history, the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated...
World History Quizzes
Ancient Rome Quiz
Rome began as a small town, grew to a vast empire, collapsed, and gave rise to this quiz. Figure out how much you know about...
Russia: A History Quiz
Russia is the world’s largest country by area, and it has a history to match. Test your knowledge of Russian (including Soviet)...
Queens in England Quiz
British royal history includes a great number of queens, some of them reigning over England, others reigning over the United...
Crusades Quiz
There were at least eight Crusades, beginning in the late 11th century and ending in the late 16th century. Test your knowledge...
Nazi Germany Quiz
Which book was considered the bible of National Socialism in Germany’s Third Reich? Who were Hitler’s elite bodyguards? How...
United States at War Quiz
A war was fought to create the independent United States. Another war was fought that reunited a divided United States. Test...
Plots and Revolutions Quiz
Plots and revolutions can take many different forms. Unravel the intrigue with this quiz.
A Quiz About Walls and More
Walls. Canals. Dykes. Towers. Artfully arranged piles of stones. If people build it big enough and strong enough, it’ll make...
Kings and Emperors (Part I) Quiz
A king is a supreme leader, but even a king may be subject to an emperor. Test your knowledge of men who have served in these...
Kings and Emperors (Part II) Quiz
Which king of England led the country into the Hundred Years’ War with France? Who became king of England after his rival...
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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
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Chernobyl disaster
nuclear accident, Soviet Union [1986]
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Deepwater Horizon oil spill
environmental disaster, Gulf of Mexico [2010]
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Great Chicago Fire
American history
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
- Mexican Revolution
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Texas Revolution
Mexico-Texas history [1835-1836]
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Cuban Revolution
Cuban history
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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Seleucid empire
ancient empire, Eurasia
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sphinx
mythology
- pre-Columbian civilizations
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Livy
Roman historian
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Jules Michelet
French historian
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Thomas Carlyle
British essayist and historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Tang dynasty
Chinese history
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house of Este
Italian family
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Maccabees
priestly Jewish family
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Robert
duke of Apulia
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Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Arabian prince
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Philip
landgrave of Hesse
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Meriwether Lewis
American explorer
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Leif Erikson
Norse explorer
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Christopher Columbus
Italian explorer
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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Oliver Cromwell
English statesman
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Hannibal
Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BCE]
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Genghis Khan
Mongol ruler
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Franklin D. Roosevelt
32nd president of the United States
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Soviet Union
historical state, Eurasia
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Mahatma Gandhi
Indian leader
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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Mississippian culture
ancient North American culture
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Mogollon culture
North American Indian culture
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Stonehenge
ancient monument, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom
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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Salem witch trials
American history
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United States presidential election of 1972
United States government
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9-11 Commission
United States commission
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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Battle of France
World War II [1940]
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Pacific War
theater of war, World War II
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Wars of the Roses
English history
