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.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell Has Died at Age 84
He was the first Black man to hold the position, amid a long and impactful career as a soldier and statesman.
Alaska Day and the History Behind the 49th State
When and how did this far-flung territory become part of the United States?
The Controversial History of America's Company Towns
Are they really as utopian as their proponents claim?
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.
Meet Whitey Bulger, the Notorious Crime Boss Who Went into Hiding
The Boston native remained at large for 16 years.
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.
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.
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.
