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, December 05, 2020
Rosa Parks, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the Birth of the Civil Rights Movement
How Rosa Parks became “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”
Companion / World History
Nikola Tesla's Weird Obsession with Pigeons
Scientist Nikola Tesla is known for many things, but not many people know that he was kind of obsessed with pigeons.
#WTFact / World History
Pablo Escobar: 8 Interesting Facts About the King of Cocaine
Get to know the infamous drug kingpin.
List / World History
Did Nero Really Fiddle as Rome Burned?
It really depends on how you define “fiddle.”
Demystified / World History
History of Latin America
History of Latin America, history of the region from the pre-Columbian period and including colonization by the Spanish and...
Encyclopedia / World History
History of Europe
History of Europe, history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous...
Encyclopedia / World History
Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution, in modern history, the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated...
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
World History Quizzes
English Royalty: Fact or Fiction?
William the Conquerer. Queen Elizabeth I. Catherine of Aragon. You may be familiar with the names, but how much about these...
English Men of Distinction: Fact or Fiction?
In Britain, is a knight given the title "Sir?" Is Prince Charles the Earl of Inverness? Sort fact from fiction in this quiz...
Exploring Italy and France: Fact or Fiction?
Was France named for the Franks, a German people? Was the Republic of Venice once ruled by a king? From lilies to the Eiffel...
Charlemagne: Fact or Fiction?
Test your knowledge of Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne with this quiz.
Nautical Exploration and Aviation: Fact or Fiction?
Was an American ship the first ship to reach the North Pole? Is it true that no woman has ever sailed around the world alone?...
European Exploration: Fact or Fiction?
Were the French the first Europeans to reach southern Africa? Was Christopher Columbus the first European to see South America?...
Southeast Asia: Fact or Fiction?
Was Thailand colonized? Has the Philippines ever had a female president? From European colonization to universities, test...
Ancient Civilizations: Fact or Fiction?
Were the earliest civilizations of Greece called Aegean? Do any of the ancient Wonders of the World survive? Test how far...
Famous American Faces: Fact or Fiction?
Was there a real person called Johnny Appleseed? Did Theodore Roosevelt inspire the teddy bear? Sort fact from fiction while...
Faces of European History: Fact or Fiction?
You may have heard of "Robin Hood" and "Bloody Mary," but how much do you really know about these historical figures? Sort...
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
- Ebola outbreak of 2014–16
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Great Chicago Fire
American history
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Great Smog of London
environmental disaster, England, United Kingdom [1952]
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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Cuban Revolution
Cuban history
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Texas Revolution
Mexico-Texas history [1835-1836]
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.
Articles
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Ancient Middle East
historical region, Asia
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Gilgamesh
Mesopotamian mythology
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Attila
king of the Huns
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Ibn Khaldūn
Muslim historian
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Leopold von Ranke
German 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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Rothschild family
European family
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Ming dynasty
Chinese history
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Wei dynasty
Chinese history [386-534/535]
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Montesquieu
French political philosopher
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Saint Alexander Nevsky
prince of Russia
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Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Arabian prince
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
- Baroque art and architecture
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Ann Bancroft
American explorer
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René-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle
French 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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Western Schism
Roman Catholic history
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Battle of Tours
European history [732]
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Byzantine Empire
historical empire, Eurasia
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Frederick II
king of Prussia
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Julius Caesar
Roman ruler
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Andrew Jackson
president of United States
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Spanish Inquisition
Spanish history [1478–1834]
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Two-state solution
Israeli-Palestinian history
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Iraq War
2003–2011
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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Mogollon culture
North American Indian culture
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Stonehenge
ancient monument, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom
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Ancestral Pueblo culture
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 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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Plains Wars
United States history
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Burr-Hamilton duel
duel, Weehawken, New Jersey, United States [1804]
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American Civil War
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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American Civil War
United States history
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Battle of France
World War II [1940]
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Crusades
Christianity
