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, July 24, 2024
How Did Helen Keller Fly a Plane?
In 1946 deaf-blind writer and activist Helen Keller piloted a plane over the Mediterranean. How?
Why did Joseph McCarthy’s influence decline?
Why did Joseph McCarthy’s influence decline?
8 Deadliest Wars of the 21st Century
Many lives have already been lost in this millennium.
Famous Mustaches in History
We mustache you a question: Who had the greatest mustache in history?
South African War
South African War, war fought from October 11, 1899, to May 31, 1902, between Great Britain and the two Boer (Afrikaner)...
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong was the principal Chinese Marxist theorist, soldier, and statesman who led his country’s communist revolution....
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan was a Mongolian warrior-ruler, one of the most famous conquerors of history, who consolidated tribes into a...
Russian Revolution
Russian Revolution, two revolutions in 1917, the first of which, in February (March, New Style), overthrew the imperial government...
World History Quizzes
Quick Quiz: King Henry VIII
“Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.” Remember that rhyme and ace this quick quiz on Henry VIII.
The History of Slavery in North America Quiz
Which of England’s American colonies became the first to recognize slavery as a legal institution? Which colony had the largest...
More Than Just Vikings: Swedish History Quiz
Who was the “Theatre King,” a keen patron of the arts who founded the first opera company in Stockholm? Who was the only...
Native American History Quiz
Who was the Shawnee chief, orator, military leader, and advocate of intertribal Indian alliance who directed resistance...
Archaeology: Great Discoveries Quiz
What is the name of the largest religious structure in the world? Who is considered the father of Egyptian archaeology? Test...
The Victorian England Quiz: Art, Literature, and Life
Which children’s author and mathematician wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Which libel suit resulted in one...
Slavery and Resistance Through History Quiz
How many U.S. presidents owned slaves during their lifetimes? In 1839 who led the mutiny of 53 enslaved people on the Spanish...
Do You Know These African American Innovators? Quiz
Who was the first African American woman granted a U.S. patent? Which African American explorer was the first known human...
Famous Dogs in History Quiz
Which dog inspired a song on a Beatles album? Who was the first dog to cross the United States in an automobile? Test your...
Famous Deaths in History Quiz
Which Russian poet was fatally wounded in a duel with his brother-in-law? Whose death was caused by the tooth of a decapitated...
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.
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Challenger disaster
United States history [1986]
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accident
event
- influenza pandemic (H1N1) of 2009
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 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.
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Chichén Itzá
ancient city, Mexico
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Marcus Aurelius
emperor of Rome
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Trojan War
Greek mythology
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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A.J.P. Taylor
British historian and journalist
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Thucydides
Greek historian
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Edward Gibbon
British historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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house of Este
Italian family
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Maccabees
priestly Jewish family
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Mamluk
Islamic dynasty
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Diana, princess of Wales
British princess
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Ivan III
Russian prince
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Casimir IV
king of Poland
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
United States history
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Antoine-Thomson d’ Abbadie and Arnaud-Michel d’ Abbadie
French geographers
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Alexander von Humboldt
German explorer and naturalist
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.
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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 [1347–1351]
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Hannibal
Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BCE]
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Genghis Khan
Mongol ruler
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St. Joan of Arc
French heroine
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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League of Nations
international organization
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Fidel Castro
political leader of Cuba
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Tokugawa period
Japanese 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
- prehistoric religion
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Ancestral Pueblo culture
North American Indian culture
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stone tool industry
archaeology
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.
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Plains Wars
United States history
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War of 1812
United Kingdom-United States history
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Salem witch trials
American 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.
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Pearl Harbor attack
Japanese-United States history
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Korean War
1950–1953
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American Civil War
United States history