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, November 22, 2024
How Long Did the Flu Pandemic of 1918 Last?
The influenza pandemic of 1918–19 was the most severe pandemic of the 20th century and, in terms of total numbers of deaths,...
The Time Julius Caesar Was Captured by Pirates
Be careful who you kidnap.
Why Is Marijuana Illegal in the U.S.?
Get the 411 on why 420 was outlawed in the U.S.
Before the E-Reader: 7 Ways Our Ancestors Took Their Reading on the Go
Books have been around for a long time. But not always.
Cold War
Cold War, the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between the United States and the Soviet Union...
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...
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
What French woman was arrested for wearing men’s clothing? What French landmark was supposed to last only 20 years?
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 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
- 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 [1688–1689]
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Russian Revolution
Russian history [1917]
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
- ancient Egypt
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Cleopatra
queen of Egypt
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Chichén Itzá
ancient city, Mexico
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Thomas Carlyle
British essayist and historian
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Herodotus
Greek historian
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Ibn Khaldūn
Muslim historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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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.
Articles
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William I
king of England
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Cosimo I
duke of Florence and Tuscany [1519–1574]
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Itō Hirobumi
prime minister of Japan
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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Western Schism
Roman Catholic history
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Fall of Constantinople
Byzantine history [1453]
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Battle of Agincourt
European history
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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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.
Articles
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Cold War
international politics
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Iraq War
2003–2011
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World War I
1914–1918
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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Magdalenian culture
prehistoric technology and art
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Moche
ancient South American culture
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Jōmon culture
ancient culture, Japan
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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Burr-Hamilton duel
duel, Weehawken, New Jersey, United States [1804]
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Battle of Gettysburg
American Civil War [1863]
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United States presidential election of 1968
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
theater of war, World War II
