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, October 08, 2025
Russian Revolution
Russian Revolution, two revolutions in 1917, the first of which, in February (March, New Style), overthrew the imperial government...
World War I
World War I, an international conflict that in 1914–18 embroiled most of the nations of Europe along with Russia, the United...
Cold War
Cold War, the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between the United States and the Soviet Union...
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), emperor of France (1804–1814/15), and 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 History Quizzes
Before They Were World Leaders: Middle East Edition
What did Middle East leaders do before they became leaders?
Benedict Cumberbatch
From
radio comedy
science fiction to Shakespeare, actor Benedict Cumberbatch has done it...
Best In Show
How many breeds of dogs are there? What is the largest terrier? Learn more about "man’s best friend" in this quiz dedicated...
Best of Baseball Quiz
What team took bribes to lose the 1919 World Series? Who holds the Major League Baseball record for most home runs in a single...
Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz
Take this quiz or you may regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life.
Biodiversity Loss
Do you know about the threats facing nonhuman life on Earth? Take this quiz to test your knowledge.
Biology Bonanza
What does the word "migration" mean? How many sets of legs does a shrimp have? From poisonous fish to biodiversity, learn...
Birds, Birds, Birds Quiz
Which birds were released in Central Park in 1890 and 1891 by Shakespeare enthusiasts? Which birds lay their eggs in a chamber...
Bird’s Eye View: Fact or Fiction?
Are chickens related to pheasants? How many varieties of turkeys exist? Sort out the fact and gain a new perspective on these...
Birthplaces of the U.S. Presidents Quiz
The U.S. Constitution requires the president to be a natural-born citizen of the United States. Can you identify where each...
World History Videos
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
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accident
event
- influenza pandemic (H1N1) of 2009
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Titanic
In 1912 the Titanic became one of history’s most enduring...
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Russian Revolution
Russian history [1917]
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Iranian Revolution
[1978–1979]
- Mexican Revolution
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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Livy
Roman historian
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Jules Michelet
French historian
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Thomas Carlyle
British essayist and historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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house of Este
Italian family
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Maccabees
priestly Jewish family
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Mamluk dynasty
rulers of Egypt and Syria [1250–1517]
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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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.
Articles
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Antoine-Thomson d’ Abbadie and Arnaud-Michel d’ Abbadie
French geographers
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Alexander von Humboldt
German explorer and naturalist
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René-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle
French 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.
Articles
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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.
Articles
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Hannibal
Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BCE]
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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.
Articles
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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.
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 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
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War of 1812
United Kingdom-United States history
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Salem witch trials
American history
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United States presidential election of 1972
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
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Pacific War
theater of war, World War II
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Wars of the Roses
English history
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Napoleonic Wars
European history
