Weave together the many narratives of world history with our highly curated and expanding selection of diverse, fascinating resources designed to showcase the breadth and richness of Earth's story, from the earliest traces of human civilization to the dramatic developments of contemporary cultures.
Hours of research by our editors, distilled into minutes of clarity.
The iconic image captured by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal went viral, as far as it could in the 1940s, showing six marines raise a flag atop Iwo Jima's extinct volcano Mount Suribachi. The shot was used for public relations by the military, and would later be shrouded by controversy when it was revealed it was the second flag-raising that day, inviting accusations it was staged.
Early excavations at Pompeii uncovered pristine gladiator helmets and armor, showing no signs of combat wear, which were likely used only in ceremonial processions. Many are now displayed at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
The label “Middle Ages” reflects Renaissance writers’ admiration for ancient Greece and Rome, not medieval reality. They frame the post-Roman centuries as a cultural backslide—a view later reinforced by Edward Gibbon and modernized as the “Dark Ages” myth.
Nuclear weapons work by unleashing energy from atomic fission—or fusion—reactions. In fission bombs, a critical mass triggers a runaway chain reaction in milliseconds. This video explains the basic science behind their immense explosive power.
Nuclear fission occurs when a heavy atom is split into smaller atoms, releasing energy and triggering chain reactions. This short PBS NOVA video uses simple demonstrations to show how fission works and why it’s so powerful.
The Constitution was ratified before a formal list of rights was added. To avoid reopening debates, the Founders approved the core document first, then adopted the Bill of Rights as amendments. Watch this video to find out why and how that happened.
From drilling to driving, crude oil is processed in refineries and transformed into everyday products like fuel, plastics, lubricants, and cosmetics. The US currently uses about 20 million of those barrels per day.
This article, drawn from an older classical dictionary, synthesizes the views of ancient Roman authors on gladiators. While archaeological knowledge has advanced, the core textual evidence remains the same, with links to translations of the sources.
This Vogue article takes you inside the details of Queen Victoria’s nuptials, from the dress to the bridesmaids drama. To learn all about the wedding that changed the wedding industry forever, read the article.
During the medieval commercial revolution, money gradually replaced land as the primary economic commodity. Expanding trade, markets, and finance transformed Europe’s economy—laying foundations, historians argue, that were essential for the later Industrial Revolution.