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, December 06, 2024

Ten Days That Vanished: The Switch to the Gregorian Calendar
In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII introduced a more accurate calendar. But switching over wasn’t easy.
Why Do Americans Celebrate the Fourth of July with Fireworks?
How fireworks became a part of patriotic celebration and why John Adams had nothing to do with it.
What Is the History of Juneteenth?
On June 19, 1865, enslaved Texans first learned of the Emancipation Proclamation—over two years after it was issued. Why...
Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution, in modern history, the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated...
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar was a celebrated Roman general and statesman, the conqueror of Gaul (58–50 bce), victor in the civil war of...
World War II
World War II, conflict that involved virtually every part of the world during the years 1939–45. The principal belligerents...
American Revolution
The American Revolution was an insurrection carried out by 13 of Great Britain’s North American colonies that began in 1775...

World History Quizzes

Oktoberfest Quiz
Beer wasn’t a part of the very first Oktoberfest—but what was? Test your knowledge of the famous festival with this quiz.
Quiz: Al Capone, Public Enemy Number One
Al Capone is perhaps America’s most famous gangster, with his participation in organized crime making him the first Public...
Is There a Whale in a Peruvian Desert?
The Nazca Lines are geoglyphs in southern Peru. Discovered in the 1920s, these huge drawings are more than 2,000 years old,...
True or False: Famous Misconceptions
“Napoleon was short.” “Dracula was based on a real person.” Do you know the truth behind these famous misconceptions?...
True or False: Daring Escapes
Whether you’re stuck behind the Berlin Wall or behind bars at Alcatraz, it seems like there’s always something to escape....
True or False: Famous Curses
Were the Chicago Cubs cursed because of a pet rooster? What do we really know about the Bermuda Triangle? See how much you...
Off With His Head Quiz
Whether by rifle, sword, guillotine, or axe, there’s no shortage of murdered rulers in history. Take this quiz to discover...
Quick Quiz: Around The World With Nellie Bly
How much do you know about the journalist who traveled around the globe, investigated corruption, and fought sexism while...
Fast Facts About Abolitionism Quiz
When did France abolish the slave trade? Who founded the American Anti-Slavery Society? See how many of these fast facts...
Quick Quiz: Women In The Voting Booth
You may know everything about the Seneca Falls Convention and the 19th Amendment. But do you know these lesser-known facts...
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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.
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Louis XVI: execution by guillotine Age of Revolutions
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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.
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Livy Historians
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branches of the Medici family Historic Dynasties & Families
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subcategory placeholder Historic Nobility
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David Livingstone. Global Exploration
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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.
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Kemal Atatürk Military Leaders
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Kindertransport The Modern World
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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.
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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.
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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.
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