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.
Browse Subcategories
Featured content, May 28, 2024
What Is Known (and Not Known) About the Tunguska Event
Here is what scientists have determined and supposed about the 1908 explosion in Siberia.
Why Is Marijuana Illegal in the U.S.?
Get the 411 on why 420 was outlawed in the U.S.
The Great Moon Hoax of 1835 Was Sci-Fi Passed Off as News
On August 25, 1835, the New York Sun began running a satiric story about life on the Moon. The problem? People believed...
15 Nelson Mandela Quotes
Words of wisdom from Nelson Mandela.
Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived for a thousand years after the western half had crumbled...
Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution, (1910–20), a long and bloody struggle among several factions in constantly shifting alliances which resulted...
Seven Years’ War
Seven Years’ War, (1756–63), the last major conflict before the French Revolution to involve all the great powers of Europe....
Thirty Years’ War
Thirty Years’ War, (1618–48), in European history, a series of wars fought by various nations for various reasons, including...
World History Quizzes
World History Videos
Image Gallery
World History
View Gallery
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
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
French Revolution
1787–1799
-
Meiji Restoration
Japanese history
-
Haitian Revolution
Haitian history
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
- pre-Columbian civilizations
-
ancient Greek civilization
historical region, Eurasia
-
Peloponnesian War
ancient Greek history
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Thomas Carlyle
British essayist and historian
-
Herodotus
Greek historian
-
Ibn Khaldūn
Muslim historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Ming dynasty
Chinese history
-
Barmakids
ʿAbbāsid viziers
-
Wei dynasty
Chinese history [386-534/535]
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
William I
king of England
-
Cosimo I
duke of Florence and Tuscany [1519–1574]
-
Itō Hirobumi
prime minister of Japan
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
- European exploration
-
American frontier
United States history
-
Daniel Boone
American frontiersman
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
-
Battle of Agincourt
European history
-
Magna Carta
England [1215]
-
Charlemagne
Holy Roman emperor [747?–814]
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Adolf Hitler
dictator of Germany
-
Frederick II
king of Prussia
-
George Washington
president of United States
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Rebellions of 1837
Canadian history
-
League of Nations
international organization
-
Fidel Castro
political leader of Cuba
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
-
Magdalenian culture
prehistoric technology and art
-
Moche
ancient South American culture
-
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
-
Burr-Hamilton duel
duel, Weehawken, New Jersey, United States [1804]
-
Battle of Gettysburg
American Civil War [1863]
-
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
-
World War I
1914–1918
-
World War II
1939–1945
-
Crusades
Christianity