History & Society
The Sun Was Eaten: How Cultures Have Explained Eclipses
Throughout history, eclipses have been seen as a disruption of the natural order, and many groups have believed them to be bad omens.
© Paul Morley/Fotolia
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (digital. id. cph 3b49861)
12 Influencers Throughout History
Centuries before social media even existed, trendsetters inspired styles, looks, and fashions that influenced hundreds to thousands of people to follow suit.
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (digital. id. cph 3b49861)
Editor's Picks
5 Unbelievable Facts About Christopher Columbus
Did you learn this in school? We sure didn’t.
Sima Qian
Sima Qian, astronomer, calendar expert, and the first great Chinese historian. He is most noted for his authorship of the Shiji (“Historical Records”), which is considered to be the most important history of China down to the end of the 2nd century. Sima Qian was the son of Sima Tan, the grand
Rest in Peace? Not for These 7 Unlucky Individuals
A cadaver trial, an unauthorized cremation, a creepy kiss, and more awaited these people after death.
Why Did Adult Humans Start Drinking Milk?
Could ancient famines have driven the spread of lactose tolerance?
When did humans first start to speak? How language evolved in Africa
A linguistics expert explains how human language evolved from the first speech sounds that were uttered about 70,000 years ago.
Tacitus
Tacitus, Roman orator and public official, probably the greatest historian and one of the greatest prose stylists who wrote in the Latin language. Among his works are the Germania, describing the Germanic tribes, the Historiae (Histories), concerning the Roman Empire from ad 69 to 96, and the later
The 6 Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy
Who are the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy?
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins at Halloween?
Are we out of our gourds?
Spotlight: World War I
The international conflict was virtually unprecedented in the slaughter, carnage, and destruction it caused, embroiling most of Europe along with Russia, the U.S., the Middle East, and other regions. WWI led to the fall of four great imperial dynasties, resulted in the Bolshevik Revolution, and, by destabilizing Europe, laid the groundwork for WWII.
Quizzes
What’s On Your Money Quiz
Do you have the skills to know your bills?
France: A History Quiz
What French woman was arrested for wearing men’s clothing? What French landmark was supposed to last only 20 years?
Fit for a King (or Queen): the British Royalty Quiz
Acing this quiz would be a crowning achievement.
Who Said It? Famous Quotes Quiz
Can you name the people associated with these famous quotations?
Videos
How did Ida B. Wells-Barnett become an activist?
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Featured Categories
War
7 Deadliest Weapons in History
From rocks to rockets.
The War of a Thousand Days
The War of a Thousand Days, (1899–1903), Colombian civil war between Liberals and Conservatives that resulted in between 60,000 and 130,000 deaths, extensive property damage, and national economic ruin. The Liberal Party represented coffee plantation owners and import-export merchants who favoured
9 Questions About the American Civil War Answered
Important questions asked and answered, briefly.
Does Trench Warfare Still Exist?
Tanks and planes made the trenches obsolete—or did they?
History's Mysteries
Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines, groups of geoglyphs, large line drawings that appear, from a distance, to be etched into Earth’s surface on the arid Pampa Colorada (“Coloured Plain” or “Red Plain”), northwest of the city of Nazca in southern Peru. They extend over an area of nearly 190 square miles (500 square km).
9 Mysterious Disappearances of People Other Than Amelia Earhart
People other than Amelia Earhart have disappeared without a trace. Really!
The Lost Colony of Roanoke
Explore the oldest mystery of colonial America.
Voynich manuscript
Voynich manuscript, illustrated manuscript written in an unknown language and thought to have been created in the 15th or 16th century. It is named after antiquarian bookseller Wilfrid Voynich, who purchased it in 1912. Scholars and scientists have sought to decipher the text since the manuscript
Ancient Civilizations
Mali
Mali, trading empire that flourished in western Africa from the 13th to the 16th century. The Mali empire developed from the state of Kangaba, on the upper Niger River east of the Fouta Djallon, and is said to have been founded before 1000 ce. The Malinke inhabitants of Kangaba acted as middlemen
Indus civilization
Indus civilization, the earliest known urban culture of the Indian subcontinent. The nuclear dates of the civilization appear to be about 2500–1700 bce, though the southern sites may have lasted later into the 2nd millennium bce. Among the world’s three earliest civilizations—the other two are
Druid
Druid, member of the learned class among the ancient Celts. They acted as priests, teachers, and judges. The earliest known records of the Druids come from the 3rd century bce. Their name may have come from a Celtic word meaning “knower of the oak tree.” Very little is known for certain about the
Achaemenian Dynasty
Achaemenian Dynasty, (559–330 bce), ancient Iranian dynasty whose kings founded and ruled the Achaemenian Empire. Achaemenes (Persian Hakhamanish), the Achaemenians’ eponymous ancestor, is presumed to have lived early in the 7th century bce, but little is known of his life. From his son Teispes two