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, January 23, 2022
All in the Family: 8 Famous Sets of Siblings
Their parents are extra extra proud.
List / World History
Were the Nazis Socialists?
What’s the difference between National Socialists and every other kind of socialist?
Demystified / World History
Why did Joseph McCarthy’s influence decline?
Why did Joseph McCarthy’s influence decline?
Companion / 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
Seven Years' War
Seven Years’ War, (1756–63), the last major conflict before the French Revolution to involve all the great powers of Europe....
Encyclopedia / World History
Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years’ War, (1618–48), in European history, a series of wars fought by various nations for various reasons, including...
Encyclopedia / World History
French Revolution
French Revolution, revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799 and reached its first climax there in 1789—hence...
Encyclopedia / World History
World History Quizzes
Exploring Latin America: Fact or Fiction?
Did Chile gain its independence in 1818? Did the Incan people rule over ancient Mexico? Sort fact from fiction in this journey...
Submarines, Ships, and other Watercraft: Fact or Fiction?
Has a naval vessel reached depths of more than 10,000 meters? Was the first nuclear submarine launched in 1945? Test the...
European History: Fact or Fiction?
Was the euro introduced in 1999? Were the Normans descendants of Vikings? Sort fact from fiction—and euro from Nero—in this...
Warfare: Fact or Fiction?
One may describe a feeling of sadness as being "blue" and cowardice as being "yellow," but did American revolutionaries refer...
Wars Throughout History: Fact or Fiction?
Was The American Civil War fought between East and West? Did the Normans conquer England in 1066? From Hessians to the use...
History Makers: Fact or Fiction?
Was Nikita Khrushchev a tsar of Russia? Sort fact from fiction in this quiz of history makers.
The United States of America: Fact or Fiction?
Was Alaska once ruled by a king? Has an amendment to the U.S. Constitution ever been repealed? Earn your stars and stripes...
World Organizations: Fact or Fiction?
Is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization limited to European countries? Is France a member of the Group of Eight? Sort fact...
Prehistory and Origins: Fact or Fiction?
Was the first metal to be worked in prehistory aluminum? Are Homo sapiens the only human species to have existed?...
New or Old: Fact or Fiction?
Is the census a modern invention? Has hemp been grown for centuries? Sort fact from fiction in this quiz of new and old discoveries...
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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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Chernobyl disaster
nuclear accident, Soviet Union [1986]
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Deepwater Horizon oil spill
environmental disaster, Gulf of Mexico [2010]
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Great Chicago Fire
American history
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
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Seleucid empire
ancient empire, Eurasia
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sphinx
mythology
- pre-Columbian civilizations
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Herodotus
Greek historian
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Ibn Khaldūn
Muslim 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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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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Ludovico Sforza
duke of Milan
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Louis IV
Holy Roman emperor
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Diana, princess of Wales
British princess
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Meriwether Lewis
American explorer
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Leif Erikson
Norse explorer
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Christopher Columbus
Italian 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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Battle of Tours
European history [732]
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Norman Conquest
British history
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Black Death
pandemic, medieval Europe
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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Weimar Republic
German history [1918–1933]
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Treaty of Versailles
1919
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Mikhail Gorbachev
president of Soviet Union
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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Aurignacian culture
prehistoric technology and art
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Stone Age
anthropology
- prehistoric religion
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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United States Presidential Election of 2016
United States government
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Louisiana Purchase
United States history
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Spanish-American War
Spain-United States
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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Crusades
Christianity
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Battle of Thermopylae
Greek history [480 bc]
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Cuban Revolution
Cuban history