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, April 11, 2024
What were Alfred’s military achievements?
What were Alfred’s military achievements?
What Is the Origin of the Term Holocaust?
How “Holocaust” became synonymous with genocidal tragedy.
Defenestration: Prague's History of Literally Throwing Authority Out the Window
Learn about Prague’s surprisingly rich history of defenestration.
7 Women Warriors
Seven women who weren’t afraid to fight.
Seven Years’ War
Seven Years’ War, (1756–63), the last major conflict before the French Revolution to involve all the great powers of Europe....
Thirty Years’ War
Thirty Years’ War, (1618–48), in European history, a series of wars fought by various nations for various reasons, including...
French Revolution
French Revolution, revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799 and reached its first climax there in 1789—hence...
history of Europe
History of Europe, history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous...
World History Quizzes
Wartime Germany: Fact or Fiction?
Did Nazi Germany invent the nuclear submarine? Were Germany and Japan allies in World War II? Learn more about wartime Germany...
Exploring India: Fact or Fiction?
When did India became an independent nation free of British rule? From the Gupta period to the "Julius Caesar" of India,...
The Second World War: Fact or Fiction?
Did Japan win World War II? Did World War II begin with the invasion of Poland? Strap on your thinking caps—and flight helmets—and...
India’s History: Fact or Fiction?
Was Bangladesh once a part of India? Was Gandhi born with the name Mahatma? Learn about government, the Gupta dynasty, and...
Exploring Russia: Fact or Fiction?
Although it is the largest country in the world, how expansive is your knowledge of Russia? From historic tsars to contemporary...
Africa at Random: Fact or Fiction?
You may be familiar with the West African stories of the spider and tortoise, but are you familiar with the riddle of the...
English Culture and Custom: Fact or Fiction?
You may know that Britons love to drink tea, but have people driven on the left side of the road in England since the Middle...
English Royalty: Fact or Fiction?
William the Conquerer. Queen Elizabeth I. Catherine of Aragon. You may be familiar with the names, but how much about these...
English Men of Distinction: Fact or Fiction?
In Britain, is a knight given the title "Sir?" Is Prince Charles the Earl of Inverness? Sort fact from fiction in this quiz...
Exploring Italy and France: Fact or Fiction?
Was France named for the Franks, a German people? Was the Republic of Venice once ruled by a king? From lilies to the Eiffel...
World History Videos
Image Gallery
World History
View Gallery
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
-
Challenger disaster
United States history [1986]
-
accident
event
- influenza pandemic (H1N1) of 2009
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Glorious Revolution
English history [1688–1689]
-
Russian Revolution
Russian history [1917]
-
Iranian Revolution
[1978–1979]
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.
Articles
- ancient Egypt
-
Cleopatra
queen of Egypt
-
Chichén Itzá
ancient city, Mexico
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Herodotus
Greek historian
-
Ibn Khaldūn
Muslim historian
-
A.J.P. Taylor
British historian and journalist
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Maccabees
priestly Jewish family
-
Mamluk
Islamic dynasty
-
Ming dynasty
Chinese history
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Philip
landgrave of Hesse
-
Ivan the Terrible
tsar of Russia
-
Saint Alexander Nevsky
prince of Russia
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Lewis and Clark Expedition
United States history
-
Antoine-Thomson d’ Abbadie and Arnaud-Michel d’ Abbadie
French geographers
-
Alexander von Humboldt
German explorer and naturalist
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
-
Western Schism
Roman Catholic history
-
Fall of Constantinople
Byzantine history [1453]
-
Battle of Agincourt
European history
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Genghis Khan
Mongol ruler
-
St. Joan of Arc
French heroine
-
Adolf Hitler
dictator of Germany
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
-
Kindertransport
European history [1938–1940]
-
Spanish Inquisition
Spanish history [1478–1834]
-
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
-
Stonehenge
ancient monument, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom
-
Neolithic
anthropology
-
megalith
ancient monument
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
-
Battle of Gettysburg
American Civil War [1863]
-
United States presidential election of 1968
United States government
-
Plains Wars
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.
Articles
-
Battle of Thermopylae
Greek history [480 bc]
-
Cuban Revolution
Cuban history
-
Hundred Years’ War
England and France [14th–15th century]