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, April 19, 2024
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.
What Is an Executive Order?
How does the U.S. president’s primary instrument of executive action work?
Timeline of the Battle of Stalingrad
How the Battle of Stalingrad unfolded.
Causes of the Great Depression
What brought about the worst economic downturn in modern history?
French Revolution
French Revolution, revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799 and reached its first climax there in 1789—hence...
history of Europe
History of Europe, history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous...
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 principal Chinese Marxist theorist, soldier, and statesman who led his country’s communist revolution. Mao was...
World History Quizzes
The History of Beer, Wine, and Some Foodstuffs Quiz
Which fermented fish sauce was a favorite in ancient Rome? Which drink is fermented with honey and water? Test your knowledge....
More Archaeological Discoveries Quiz
What is the earliest known urban culture of the Indian subcontinent? The name of which archaeological site is reputed...
This Day in History Quiz: June 1
How much do you know about what happened in history on June 1? Take this quiz and find out.
This Day in History Quiz: June 2
From the crowning of a new queen to a landing on the Moon, take this quiz to learn more about June 2.
More Archaeology: Digging and Scraping Quiz
What term refers to a “fragment of a pottery vessel found on sites and in refuse deposits where pottery-making peoples have...
This Day in History Quiz: June 3
Celebrities, politics, and more: How well will you fare on this quiz about June 3?
This Day in History Quiz: June 4
What do you know about June 4? Take this quiz to find out!
World Heritage Sites in France Quiz
Which giant bridge-aqueduct was constructed in the 1st century CE to carry water to the city now called Nîmes?...
By All Military Meanings Necessary: Vocab Quiz
First used in the 15th century, which word means “military operations between enemies”? Taken into English from French, which...
Roman and Byzantine Emperors Quiz
The Roman Empire and its eastern half, the Byzantine Empire, together lasted well over a thousand years. How well do you...
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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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Eastland disaster
maritime disaster, Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois,...
- Ebola outbreak of 2014–16
- 2010 Haiti earthquake
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Iranian Revolution
[1978–1979]
- Mexican Revolution
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Texas Revolution
Mexico-Texas history [1835-1836]
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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Babylon
ancient city, Mesopotamia, Asia
- Aegean civilizations
- ancient Egypt
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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Fugger family
German family
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Fatimid dynasty
Islamic dynasty
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house of Habsburg
European 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
- Baroque art and architecture
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Ann Bancroft
American explorer
- European exploration
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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Middle Ages
historical era
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Holy Roman Empire
historical empire, Europe
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Battle of Tours
European history [732]
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Napoleon I
emperor of France
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Julius Caesar
Roman ruler
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Peter I
emperor of Russia
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Ho Chi Minh
president of North Vietnam
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Rebellions of 1837
Canadian history
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League of Nations
international organization
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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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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Hundred Years’ War
England and France [14th–15th century]
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Punic Wars
Carthage and Rome [264 bce–146...
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Pearl Harbor attack
Japanese-United States history