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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.

Simon the Cat Won a Dickin Medal for His Royal Navy Service

This four-legged friend prowled the decks of the HMS Amethyst, where he was present for the Yangtze Incident.

8 Intriguing Facts About the Mona Lisa

Learn more about the history of the enigmatic portrait.

Witold Pilecki and the Secret Polish Army Led Resistance in Poland During WWII

This war hero infiltrated Auschwitz as a spy for the resistance.

Demystifying the “Indian Wars,” a Complex Series of Conflicts

The fighting spanned dozens of adversaries and hundreds of years.

The Daring Voyage of the James Caird

Discover one of the greatest polar rescue missions ever completed.

5 Royal Scandals Throughout History

These faux pas tarnished several family names.

Before Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter Wanted to Study Mushrooms

The beloved children's author was deterred from a career as a mycologist.

10 Royal Women Who Also Made History as Writers

These 10 accomplished women led countries, wrote poetry, chronicled history, and made their own.

9 Famous Statues Throughout History and the World

Examine the past with these monuments to history.

The First Battle of the Marne Reset Expectations for World War I

The Allies went from a panicked retreat to a surprising triumph.

A British Woman Was Convicted Under a Witchcraft Law During WWII

Helen Duncan claimed she had learned classified military information through her psychic powers.

Joan of England Was an Early Victim of the Black Death

Not yet familiar with the plague, her entourage underestimated its severity.

The Affair of the Diamond Necklace Contributed To Marie Antoinette's Downfall

The scam caused the French queen's reputation to further deteriorate.

Yasuke, the African Samurai

A mysterious dark-skinned warrior rose to prominence in 16th-century Japan.

A Shocking Incident Led to the War of Jenkins' Ear

One man's mutilation instigated a major conflict between Britain and Spain.

How Ivan the Terrible Earned His Nickname

The Russian tsar had a fearsome reputation.

The Cult of the Supreme Being: A New Religion in Revolutionary France

The French Revolution left fertile ground for a new approach to religion.

The Unparalleled Courage of the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team

This combined unit is the most decorated for its size in U.S. military history.