History
Travel to the past with the best history stories, from Ancient Rome to World War II. The Archive has the history stories you crave, from military sagas to exploring the New World.
The Shot Heard Round the World: The Battles of Lexington and Concord, 250 Years Later
Reflecting on the campaign that kicked off the Revolutionary War.
The Macabre Way Early Sailors Refreshed Their Wardrobes
Learn why some sailors were hesitant to use the “slop chest.”
The FBI Surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr.
The civil rights leader was the target of a covert FBI project to discredit him.
How the British "Southern Strategy" Ultimately Cost Them the Revolutionary War
They met an unexpected foe.
The Battle of Peleliu was the Marines' Bitterest Fight in WWII
Read about a hard-fought battle that was supposed to be won in only four days.
Voodoo Macbeth: Orson Welles' Historic Production With a Black Cast
It launched many careers and brought Shakespeare to Harlem.
10 Fascinating Archaeological Discoveries That Changed Our Understanding of Human History
From artwork to a rudimentary analog computer and beyond.
The Filming of Star Wars Almost Started a Real-Life War in North Africa
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away…there was a massive misunderstanding!
The Great Game: Russia and Britain's Imperialistic Rivalry
They fought for influence in Central Asia throughout the 19th century.
What Happened With Oppenheimer’s Revoked Security Clearance
The award-winning physicist faced opposition.
Delve into the Deadly, Insurmountable Odds of Custer’s Last Stand
This unexpected U.S. defeat was the most significant action of the Great Sioux War of 1876.
The Only Woman to Receive the Medal of Honor Is Getting Her Own Quarter
We'll be seeing Dr. Mary Edwards Walker on coinage in 2024.
The Centuries-Long History of Striking in the U.S.
For hundreds of years, protests nationwide have fought passionately for workers’ rights.
In 1708, the Spanish Galleon San José Sank—And So Did Its Treasure
Somewhere off the coast of Colombia, a treasure worth billions lies on the ocean floor.
This Civil War Amputee Led the First Expedition Through the Grand Canyon
Learn about the eventful life of John Wesley Powell—professor, Civil War veteran, and explorer of the American West.
The Historic Significance of Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Reforms
Find out why his likeness is still on the $10 bill.
