History

Topics to Explore:

Why World War I Became the 'Forgotten War'

The 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I offers up a reminder — and a second chance — for us to remember the soldiers' sacrifices and to learn from our past mistakes.

Why André the Giant Was Larger Than Life

André the Giant made his wrestling debut at New York City's Madison Square Garden. He went on to become one of WWE's biggest stars before his untimely death in 1993.

New Clues to Ancient Roman Art Discovered in Egyptian Mummy Portraits

The captivatingly realistic Roman-Egyptian Fayum mummy portraits date to more than 1,500 years before the Renaissance. Scientists used state-of-the-art analytical tools.

How the Grandfather Clock Got Its Name

The Dyatlov Pass Mystery: Were the Hikers Murdered?

Did Romans really purge their bellies in vomitoria?

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The Inconvenient Truth Behind Revolutionary Icon Che Guevara

7 Finger-lickin' Legends About Colonel Sanders and KFC

9 Heavy-hitting Facts About the Greatest, Muhammad Ali

Historical Events

From the Age of Enlightenment to the Christmas Truce, learn about some of history's most pivotal events.

The Peace Sign: From No Nukes Logo to Anti-war Symbol

20 Memorable Moments of the 21st Century So Far

The War of 1812: The White House Burns and 'The Star-Spangled Banner' Is Born

Historical Figures

From Musketeers to Nazis, Archimedes to Harriet Tubman, these famous historical figures changed the course of history -- for better or worse.

The Inconvenient Truth Behind Revolutionary Icon Che Guevara

9 Heavy-hitting Facts About the Greatest, Muhammad Ali

Polio Doctor Jean Macnamara's Work Reminds Us That Viruses Can Be Vanquished

History vs. Myth

You don’t need fiction when history provides you with tales as crazy as the ones we’ve collected for you. Read up while your jaw drops.

7 Finger-lickin' Legends About Colonel Sanders and KFC

Searching for the Lost Horizon of Shangri-La

What's the Secret Behind the Number 666?

Europe

No matter how knowledgeable you are about European history, there's always more to learn! Get an in-depth look at European history in these articles.

Do All Scottish Families Have a Tartan?

Albania's Doomsday Bunkers Fed a Dictator's Paranoia

17th-century Plague Doctors Were the Stuff of Nightmares

North America

From the southern tip of Florida to the Alaskan wilderness, explore North American history in-depth in the North American history section.

Who Really Struck It Rich During the California Gold Rush?

How the U.S. Capitol's Design Was Chosen By Public Competition

Why Is New York City Called the 'Big Apple'?

World History

HowStuffWorks looks at the history and culture of places from all over the world.

The Slithering Serpent and 6 Other Secrets of Chichén Itzá

What Caused the Rise – and Fall – of the Ottoman Empire?

The Dark History of Indigo, Slavery's Other Cash Crop

World wars and conflicts have shaped the course of history as countries stuggle to maintain a balance of power. In this section topics such as the Korean War, Vietnam and both World Wars are explored.