Famous Locomotives

Famous locomotives, such as the John Bull locomotive, have helped shape the history of American railroads. These trains are well-known to many railroad historians. Learn more about some famous locomotives.

How the Civil Rights Movement Worked

How does change happen? For the civil rights movement, it began with a group of people who decided that separate but equal wasn't good enough.

Is D.B. Cooper still alive?

It's one of the biggest unsolved crimes in U.S. history: How did a mild-mannered man single-handedly hijack a plane and make off with $200,000 in cash? Could he still be alive?

Modern Decline of Railroads

By the 1960s the lonesome whistle of the steam railroads was a thing of the past. The decline of railroads came about during the 1960s and 1970s as the automobile dominated transportation.

Black Power Movement

Black Power Movement, in United States history, an effort among black Americans to gain control of the institutions that affect their daily lives by acquiring independent economic, social, and political power.

Counterculture

Counterculture , a set of behaviors and beliefs that are radically different from those of mainstream society.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Cuban Missile Crisis , a confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union, October 22–28, 1962, that threatened to precipitate nuclear war.

HowStuffWorks - August: This Month in History

A collection of stories about events that have happened in the month of August. Learn about famous August events in history here.

HowStuffWorks - September: This Month in History

September events in history include Swanson TV dinners, Barbie and 'The Hobbit' hitting the shelf. Read more on September trivia and September events.

Iran Hostage Crisis

Iranian Hostage Crisis, a diplomatic conflict caused by the holding in captivity of United States embassy personnel by Iranian militants from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981.

Iraq War

Kennedy-Johnson Era

The Presidential election of 1960 was held in an atmosphere of strained international relations and increasing racial tension in the United States.

Peace Corps

Peace Corps, the volunteer foreign assistance program of the United States. The peace Corps places men and women in other countries to help meet the need for skilled persons.

Railroad Super-engines

Railroad super-engines were produced in the mid-1990s with the same size but more power than standard locomotives. They were produced by General Motors and General Electric, the two largest engine manufacturers. Learn about railroad super-engines.

Railroad Technology

Railroad technology has greatly changed the way in which railroads conduct business. Computers have automated much of what used to be done by the work of several people. Learn about some of the developments in railroad technology.