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, November 05, 2025
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. It reached its first climax in 1789 when...
history of Europe
History of Europe, history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Europe is a more ambiguous...
South African War
South African War, war fought from October 11, 1899, to May 31, 1902, between Great Britain and the two Boer (Afrikaner)...
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong was the principal Chinese Marxist theorist, soldier, and statesman who led his country’s communist revolution....
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan was a Mongolian warrior-ruler, one of the most famous conquerors of history, who consolidated tribes into a...
Russian Revolution
Russian Revolution, two revolutions in 1917, the first of which, in February (March, New Style), overthrew the imperial government...
World History Quizzes
Ancient Greece: Fact or Fiction?
Did the Greeks and the Romans worship a goddess of love? Was Naples, Italy, founded by Greeks? Sort fact from fiction in...
Ancient Greek Gods and Demigods Quiz
Who is the god of the orderly universe and time, who swallowed his children to prevent them from overthrowing him? Who is...
Ancient Greek Literature Quiz
How well do you know Old Comedy? Who wrote Oedipus the King? Figure out what you know about ancient Greek literature...
Ancient Greek Underworld Quiz
What is the name of the monstrous three-headed watchdog of the underworld? Who is the queen of the underworld? Test your...
Ancient Libraries and Archives Quiz
Which Greek poet was appointed as the royal librarian of Antioch? What famous ancient university and Buddhist monastic center...
Ancient Life: Fact or Fiction?
From Neanderthals to ancient Egypt, explore early human life in this quiz.
Ancient Rome Quiz
Rome began as a small town, grew to a vast empire, collapsed, and gave rise to this quiz. Figure out how much you know about...
“And The Emmy Goes To…” Quiz
Where did the name “Emmy” come from? Who is the oldest Emmy winner? We may not be able to offer you a golden trophy for finishing...
“And the Oscar Goes to…” Quiz
Who is the oldest Academy Award winner? Who was the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director? We may not be able to...
Animal Adventures: Fact or Fiction?
Can animals survive being frozen? Do only male animals have antlers? Test your knowledge of a variety of incredible animals...
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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Eastland disaster
maritime disaster, Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois,...
- Ebola outbreak of 2014–16
- 2010 Haiti earthquake
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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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 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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Cleopatra
queen of Egypt
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Chichén Itzá
ancient city, Mexico
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Marcus Aurelius
emperor of Rome
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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A.J.P. Taylor
British historian and journalist
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Thucydides
Greek historian
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Edward Gibbon
British 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.
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Charles
duke of Burgundy
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Bohemond I
prince of Otranto and of Antioch
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Henry III
duke of Bavaria and Saxony
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
- Baroque art and architecture
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Ann Bancroft
American explorer
- European exploration
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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Black Death
pandemic, medieval Europe [1347–1351]
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Hundred Years’ War
England and France [14th–15th century]
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Battle of Poitiers
French history [1356]
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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Tokugawa period
Japanese history
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Nelson Mandela
president of South Africa
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Mao Zedong
Chinese leader
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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dolmen
archaeology
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stela
architecture
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Hohokam culture
prehistoric North American Indian culture
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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Plains Wars
United States history
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War of 1812
United Kingdom-United States history
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Salem witch trials
American 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
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Pearl Harbor attack
Japanese-United States history
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Korean War
1950–1953
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American Civil War
United States history
