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 WWII Dutch Warship That Pretended To Be an Island to Evade the Enemy
The Dutch brought camouflage to a whole new level.
The Last American Troop Killed in WWII Died After the War Ended
Tragically, one last American life was lost between the announcement of Japan's surrender and the signing of the document.
Night Witches: The Fierce, All-Female Soviet Fighter Pilots of WWII
They flew their first mission in June 1942—and quickly developed a reputation for deadly precision.
This Soldier Took Out a Pillbox Using only One Small Bomb and a Combat Knife
His heroic act silenced seven enemy machine guns and captured 25 German troops.
James Wilkinson: The Man Who Double-Crossed the Founders of America
The notorious statesman's ability to get out of tight pinches while benefitting himself is beyond compare.
Unbreakable: How Navajo Code Talkers Helped Win WWII
A group of Navajo men came together in the 1940s to create an unbreakable military code.
That Time a Marine Convinced 1,500 Japanese Troops Not to Fight to the Death
Corporal Guy Gabaldon was able to talk troops into surrendering.
![This World War I Legionnaire Wrote "I Have a Rendezvous with Death"](https://orion-uploads.openroadmedia.com/md_c53a15810f8a-alan-seeger_featured.jpg?w=640 "This World War I Legionnaire Wrote "I Have a Rendezvous with Death"")
This World War I Legionnaire Wrote "I Have a Rendezvous with Death"
Seeger's prophetic verse was published posthumously, after he fell at the Battle of the Somme.
Lysander Spooner: The Man Who Took on the U.S. Postal Service—and Won
The American Mail Company successfully forced the U.S. Post to bring down its postal rates.
Peter Conover Hains: The Civil War Veteran Who Served All the Way up to WWI
He retired in 1904—but the Army wasn't done with him.
Léo Major: The "One-Eyed Ghost" Who Single-Handedly Liberated a Dutch Town
Major went above and beyond the call of duty in World War II and the Korean War.
10 Dramatic Battles in American History
From the Battle of Gettysburg to the Second Battle of Fallujah, these conflicts will never be forgotten.
The Earliest-Born American to Be Photographed Is Also a Veteran
In 1852, at age 103, Revolutionary War veteran Conrad Heyer sat down to have his picture taken.
Beyond the Podcast: 10 Great Courses for Every History Buff
Explore the world’s greatest history lessons from your smartphone.
Dying on Armistice Day: Private Joseph Sommers's Final Words
Private Sommers may have been the final American killed on Armistice Day.
