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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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Accidents & Disasters Age of Revolutions The Ancient World Historians Historic Dynasties & Families Historic Nobility Global Exploration The Middle Ages Military Leaders The Modern World Prehistoric Age United States History Wars, Battles & Armed Conflicts

Featured content, February 07, 2025

French infantry coming into position at the Marne during World War I, 1914-18.
Battles of World War I
From Amiens to Ypres
The birthplace of the Gay Rights Movement began at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in NYC in June of 1969 during the famed Stonewall Riots when gays rioted against police raids.
5 Important Places in Global LGBTQIA+ History
Places with significance for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Communism - mosaic hammer and sickle with star on the Pavilion of Ukraine at the All Russia Exhibition Centre (also known as VDNKh) in Moscow. Communist symbol of the former Soviet Union. USSR
Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse?
There were many factors that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, including political policies, economics, defense spending,...
Nazi Germany, Nazi SS troops marching with victory standards at the Party Day rally in Nuremberg, Germany, 1933. (Schutzstaffel, Nazi Party, Nurnberg)
Why Was Nazi Germany Called the Third Reich?
A bit of background on the First and Second Reichs.
Europe after the Thirty Years' War, 1648
Thirty Years’ War
Thirty Years’ War, (1618–48), in European history, a series of wars fought by various nations for various reasons, including...
Louis XVI: execution by guillotine
French Revolution
French Revolution, revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799 and reached its first climax there in 1789—hence...
Encyclopædia Britannica: first edition, map of Europe
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: Boer troops
South African War
South African War, war fought from October 11, 1899, to May 31, 1902, between Great Britain and the two Boer (Afrikaner)...

World History Quizzes

Ancient Egyptian carving of Pharaoh Seti I holding his flail before the god of the underworld Osiris with Horus behind him. Abydos Temple, Egypt. Ancient carving, on public display for 2,000 years
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...
Queen Victoria's coronation, 1837. The Archbishop of Canterbury placing the crown on Victoria's head in Westminster Abbey.
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...
Frontispiece and title page of Phillis Wheatley's book of poetry, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" 1773. Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784). African American slave. Black woman poet.
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...
Transfused Human blood in storage
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...
Pug; dog
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...
Asphalt Jungle (1950) Movie scene of actress Marilyn Monroe as Angela Phinlay in an early film career appearence with actor Sterling Hayden as Dix Handley in movie directed by John Huston.
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...
November 3, 2015. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, after years of excavations the remains of, the Acra, used by the Greeks more than 2,000 years ago to control the Temple Mount. Jerusalem. Archeology.
Archaeology: Digging and Scraping Quiz
What is the scientific discipline concerned with dating and interpreting past events according to the...
Jane Austen an English writer who first gave the novel it's distinctly modern character through her treatment of ordinary people in everyday life.
Women's Headgear Through the Ages
Which women’s headdress was worn over the head and around the neck, cheeks, and chin? Which hat has a broad brim that...
Beer glasses on dark table
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....
The caves of Qumran on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, in the West Bank. The site of the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were first discovered in 1947.
More Archaeological Discoveries Quiz
What is the earliest known urban culture of the Indian subcontinent? The name of which archaeological site is reputed...

World History Videos

Learn through an animated map about the First Battle of Bull Run
Learn through an animated map about the First Battle of Bull Run
What happened during the Reign of Terror?
What happened during the Reign of Terror?
Decoding the Rosetta Stone
Decoding the Rosetta Stone
Learn how George Washington and other commanders reconstituted the Continental Army while wintering at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the American Revolution
Learn how George Washington and other commanders reconstituted the Continental Army while wintering at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the American Revolution
Learn about the Munich massacre of 1972
Learn about the Munich massacre of 1972
Partitions of Poland explained
Partitions of Poland explained
Examining the Nürnberg trials for Nazi war criminals
Examining the Nürnberg trials for Nazi war criminals
Who was Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the father of Mexican independence?
Who was Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the father of Mexican independence?
Examine the effects of U.S. Neutrality Acts on pre-World War II international relations
Examine the effects of U.S. Neutrality Acts on pre-World War II international relations
Image Gallery
World History
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World History Subcategories

Chile earthquake of 2010 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
Louis XVI: execution by guillotine Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
ancient Middle East 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
Livy Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
branches of the Medici family Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
subcategory placeholder Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
David Livingstone. Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
subcategory placeholder 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
Kemal Atatürk Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
Kindertransport The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
Mississippian culture: Ocmulgee National Monument 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
Pearl Harbor attack 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
World War I 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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