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. Investigating the causes and results of past events is critically important in gaining a full understanding and perspective of present-day issues.
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Featured content, April 12, 2021
Why Is Charles I Buried with Henry VIII and Jane Seymour?
Henry VIII and his third wife were never meant to be buried at Windsor Castle forever. How did Charles I end up joining them...
Companion / World History
What Was the Little Ice Age?
The Little Ice Age is known for its effects in Europe and the North Atlantic region over hundreds of years, but was it comparable...
Demystified / World History
Nikola Tesla's Weird Obsession with Pigeons
Scientist Nikola Tesla is known for many things, but not many people know that he was kind of obsessed with pigeons.
#WTFact / World History
Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived for a thousand years after the western half had crumbled...
Encyclopedia / 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
World History Quizzes
Adolf Hitler
How much do you know about Adolf Hitler? Test your knowledge with this quiz.
WWII: Allies, Axis, or Associates?
Test your knowledge about which countries fought on which side during World War II.
Women’s History: Famous Firsts
Women have accomplished some fantastic feats in the course of history. Test your knowledge of some famous firsts for women.
Not-So-Common Knowledge
It is well known that Mount Everest at about 8,850 meters is the world’s highest mountain, but did you know that K2 at about...
Birthplaces of the U.S. Presidents
The U.S. Constitution requires the president to be a natural-born citizen of the United States. Can you identify where each...
U.S. States Dates of Admission to the Union Quiz
Do you know when California became a state? How about New York? Test your knowledge of when each of the 50 states became...
Popes and Antipopes
The papacy has existed for more than two millennia. Can you identify the years that every pope—and every antipope—held his...
Prime Ministers of India Quiz
Test your knowledge of when each of India’s prime ministers served in that office.
Explorers and Explorations (Part One) Quiz
Who colonized New York? Where did James Cook first land in Australia? Take a voyage of discovery through this quiz to find...
Explorers and Explorations (Part Two) Quiz
Which English admiral circumnavigated the globe? Who initiated the Age of Discovery that began in the 15th century? Board...
World History Videos
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World History Subcategories
Accidents & Disasters
Technology and its related processes have been the site of great innovation and advancement over the course of time, but sometimes such improvements came at a high price, after serious accidents, disasters, or tragedies belatedly prompted closer scrutiny of existing procedures. Advances in science have also improved the accuracy of human predictions on some of nature's most forceful manifestations, but earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other natural phenomena still yield devastating consequences worldwide.
Articles
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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French Revolution
1787–1799
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Meiji Restoration
Japanese history
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Haitian Revolution
Haitian history
The Ancient World
The modern world has inherited many cultural elements from ancient civilizations, from communications systems to ways of improving technology. Their stories, battles, and views on life are still relevant today for a full understanding of our world and our cultural legacy.
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Chichén Itzá
ancient city, Mexico
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Marcus Aurelius
emperor of Rome
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Trojan War
Greek mythology
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Thomas Carlyle
British essayist and historian
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Herodotus
Greek historian
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Ibn Khaldūn
Muslim historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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House of Este
Italian family
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Maccabees
priestly Jewish family
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Mamluk
Islamic dynasty
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Robert
duke of Apulia
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Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Arabian prince
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Philip
landgrave of Hesse
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Ann Bancroft
American explorer
- European exploration
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American frontier
United States history
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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Middle Ages
historical era
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Holy Roman Empire
historical empire, Europe
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Battle of Tours
European history [732]
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Hannibal
Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BC]
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Genghis Khan
Mongol ruler
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St. Joan of Arc
French heroine
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Ho Chi Minh
president of North Vietnam
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Rebellions of 1837
Canadian history
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League of Nations
international organization
Prehistoric Age
The prehistoric age covers the millions of years that transpired 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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Mississippian culture
ancient North American culture
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Mogollon culture
North American Indian culture
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Stonehenge
ancient monument, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom
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 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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Mexican-American War
Mexico-United States [1846–1848]
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United States Presidential Election of 2016
United States government
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Louisiana Purchase
United States history
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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World War I
1914–1918
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World War II
1939–1945
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Crusades
Christianity
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