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, March 07, 2021
Radium Girls: The Women Who Fought for Their Lives in a Killer Workplace
Being poisoned by their employer led these women to fight back.
#WTFact / World History
Pablo Escobar: 8 Interesting Facts About the King of Cocaine
Get to know the infamous drug kingpin.
List / World History
What Is the Origin of the Term “Jim Crow”?
From the end of Reconstruction until the 1960s, racial segregation in the American South was enforced with so-called Jim...
Companion / World History
How Secret Is Top Secret?
It has been said that two can keep a secret if one of them is dead, so what happens to classified information when millions...
Demystified / World History
Cold War
Cold War, the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between the United States and the Soviet Union...
Encyclopedia / World History
Renaissance
Renaissance, (French: “Rebirth”) period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages and conventionally...
Encyclopedia / World History
Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire, empire created by Turkish tribes in Anatolia (Asia Minor) that grew to be one of the most powerful states...
Encyclopedia / World History
Napoleon I
Napoleon I, French general, first consul (1799–1804), and emperor of the French (1804–1814/15), one of the most celebrated...
Biography
World History Quizzes
Egyptian History Quiz
From the pyramids to the Suez Canal, Egypt has a vast history. How well do you know it? Test your knowledge with this quiz.
France: A History Quiz
The historian Jules Michelet once claimed that “England is an empire, Germany is a nation, a race, France is a person.” This...
Notable Prime Ministers Quiz
The term prime minister means, literally, the “first,” or most important, minister. Take this quiz to learn more...
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.
World History Videos
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World History
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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.
Articles
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Haitian Revolution
Haitian history
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Glorious Revolution
English history
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Russian Revolution
Russian history [1917]
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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History of Mesopotamia
historical region, Asia
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Han dynasty
Chinese history
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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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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Simon de Montfort, earl of Leicester
French noble
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Charles
duke of Burgundy
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Bohemond I
prince of Antioch
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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Magna Carta
England [1215]
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Charlemagne
Holy Roman emperor [747?–814]
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Middle Ages
historical era
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 BC]
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Winston Churchill
prime minister of United Kingdom
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Vietnam War
1954–1975
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Ho Chi Minh
president of North Vietnam
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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Acheulean industry
prehistoric toolmaking
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Dolmen
archaeology
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Stela
architecture
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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War of 1812
United Kingdom-United States history
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Salem witch trials
American history
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United States presidential election of 1972
United States government
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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French Revolutionary wars
European history
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Battle of France
World War II [1940]
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Pacific War
theatre of war, World War II
