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 08, 2024

Korean War Timeline
What happened during the Korean War, and when?
How Did Helen Keller Fly a Plane?
In 1946 deaf-blind writer and activist Helen Keller piloted a plane over the Mediterranean. How?
Why did Joseph McCarthy’s influence decline?
Why did Joseph McCarthy’s influence decline?
Renaissance
Renaissance, period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages and conventionally held to have been characterized...
Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire, empire created by Turkish tribes in Anatolia (Asia Minor) that grew to be one of the most powerful states...
Napoleon I
Napoleon I was a French general, first consul (1799–1804), and emperor of the French (1804–1814/15), one of the most celebrated...
Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution, in modern history, the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated...

World History Quizzes

History Buff Quiz
You know basic history facts inside and out. But what about the details in between? Put your history smarts to the test to...
All-American History Quiz
Who was the original Edsel? When did a U.S. president first appear on TV? Go back in time for the all-American answers.
World Wars
Fight for the title of War Wiz with this quiz on famous conflicts throughout history.
History: Fact or Fiction?
Get hooked on history as this quiz sorts out the past. Find out who really invented movable type, who Winston Churchill called...
Kings of England
How many kings of England have been named Henry? Who was the wife of Henry II? From the Magna Carta to the Battle of Agincourt,...
Walk Like an Egyptian
Which Egyptian pharaoh believed in the idea of a single god? From the pyramids to famous mummies, decode your mental hieroglyphics...
U.S. Presidents Facts
Who was the first U.S. president to live in the White House? How many presidents were born before the U.S. became a country?...
All About Napoleon Bonaparte
Men with short statures and quick tempers are said to have a Napoleon complex, but what was Napoleon Bonaparte’s nickname?...
Presidents of the United States Quiz
Which two U.S. presidents died on the same day? Who was the first president to serve two terms in office? Test the knowledge...
World War I Quiz
Involving all the world’s superpowers, World War I resulted in more than 35 million casualties. In what strange way did the...
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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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