History

Topics to Explore:

How Jim Crow Shaped America

Jim Crow was about much more than laws enacted to suppress blacks. It was about a system involving politics, economics, social and cultural practices. And while the laws may be dead, Jim Crow is not.

What We Learned From the Deadliest Nightclub Fire in U.S. History

Hundreds were killed in the infamous 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston. But from the tragedy came advancements in everything from building codes and medical treatments that are still in place today worldwide.

10 Monumental Events That Were Overshadowed by Other Events

Where were you when Farrah Fawcett died? Chances are you don't remember. But if we threw out Michael Jackson's name that might ring a bell. Guess what? Both events were on the same day.

Ridiculous History: London Had a Train for the Dead

Royal Babies Quiz

Can a Country Buy Another Country?

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

Why Frederick Douglass Was the Father of the Civil Rights Movement

17th-century Plague Doctors Were the Stuff of Nightmares

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.

Why Frederick Douglass Was the Father of the Civil Rights Movement

How Cesar Chavez United Thousands of Farmworkers and Became a Civil Rights Icon

Spartacus Was a Real Gladiator and the Baddest Rebel Leader in Rome

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.

How 'Scarface' Al Capone Became the Original Gangster

Cash for Teeth: The Legend of the Tooth Fairy

How Hercules Totally Nailed His 12 Labors

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.

17th-century Plague Doctors Were the Stuff of Nightmares

Is Holland the Same as the Netherlands?

Shhh! Don't Tell. There's a Secret Apartment Atop the Eiffel Tower

North America

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

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

How the Declaration of Independence Birthed the American Nation

The Long, Hard Battle for the 19th Amendment and Women's Right to Vote

World History

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

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

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

8 Wild and Sprawling Facts About Mongolia

World Wars

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.