History

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

How the Mason-Dixon Line Unwittingly Became the Divider Between the North and the South

The Sad, Strange Story of the Heaven's Gate Cult

The Cadaver Synod: When a Dead Pope Was Put on Trial

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

Does Anne Boleyn Deserve Her Bad Reputation?

5 Facts About the Wild West's Deadly 'Doc' Holliday

Ulysses S. Grant Was One of the Greatest Military Generals in U.S. History

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.

The Gullah Geechee Tradition of 'Haint Blue' Paint Keeps the Spirits Away

The Myth of the Minotaur, the Legendary Beast We Can't Forget

Do the Kings, Queens and Jacks on Playing Cards Represent Real People?

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.

The Treaty of Versailles: Did the End of WWI Cause the Start of WWII?

Do All Scottish Families Have a Tartan?

Albania's Doomsday Bunkers Fed a Dictator's Paranoia

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

How the Harlem Renaissance Sparked a New African American Identity

Who Really Struck It Rich During the California Gold Rush?

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

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

What Does Zionism Really Mean?

How Sparta Turned Its Men Into Super-Soldiers – and Dancers

What Happened to the KGB When the Soviet Union Folded?

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.

Japanese Kamikazes: Heroic or Horrifying?

Help Find the Lost Clickers of D-Day

Soviet 'Night Witches' Flew Bombing Missions Against the Nazis