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, July 08, 2024
There’s a Riot Goin’ On: Riots in U.S. History (Part Two)
Unlawful assemblies to remember.
Did Nero Really Fiddle as Rome Burned?
It really depends on how you define “fiddle.”
7 Famous Child Prodigies
All children are special, but some children are really special.
7 Massachusetts Bay Colonists to Know
You know about the Pilgrims and Plymouth colony. Learn about Massachusetts’s other colony and colonists.
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...
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...
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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.
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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.
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Iranian Revolution
[1978–1979]
- Mexican Revolution
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Texas Revolution
Mexico-Texas history [1835-1836]
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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Trojan War
Greek mythology
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Roman Empire
ancient state [27 bce-476...
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Attila
king of the Huns
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Ibn Khaldūn
Muslim historian
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A.J.P. Taylor
British historian and journalist
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Thucydides
Greek historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Fugger family
German family
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Fatimid dynasty
Islamic dynasty
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house of Habsburg
European 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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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.
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Western Schism
Roman Catholic history
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Fall of Constantinople
Byzantine history [1453]
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Battle of Agincourt
European history
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Napoleon I
emperor of France
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Julius Caesar
Roman ruler
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Peter I
emperor of Russia
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Kindertransport
European history [1938–1940]
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Spanish Inquisition
Spanish history [1478–1834]
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two-state solution
Israeli-Palestinian history
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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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 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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Louisiana Purchase
United States history
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Spanish-American War
Spain-United States
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assassination of John F. Kennedy
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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Wars of the Roses
English history
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Napoleonic Wars
European history
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American Revolution
United States history