There’s no way around it; history has been shaped by the outcome of innumerable wars and battles fought over everything from religion to territorial disputes to outright revenge over a perceived injustice. Learning about these conflicts is vital to understanding the world we live in today.
Our military coverage spans the ancient world through the Cold War. Discover epic medieval clashes, or fierce battles that caused entire ancient civilizations to crumble. Examine the political intricacies of sprawling conflicts like the Seven Years’ War or the War of Spanish Succession. Explore the devastation of the World Wars, or the fresh conflicts they left in their wake.
There’s also the fascinating evolution of weapons from the Stone Age through the nuclear arms race, as well as the changing military theories and strategies (or lack thereof) powering key decisions. Or you can discover a unique study of how contagious diseases have impacted the outcome of every war in America’s history, from skirmishes with Native Americans to 20th-century biological warfare.
True stories about the people who fought these conflicts put a human face to the cost of war. You can learn about the Soviet Union’s Night Witches (an all-female regiment of fighter pilots), discover the Mapuche people’s centuries-long military resistance against the Spanish conquistadors, or read war books written by those who were actually there. Whatever draws you into military history, we’re exploring every angle of the conflicts that caused empires to rise and fall, reshaping our world in the process.
The children's author's macabre sense of humor and appreciation of darkness were likely sharpened by his combat history.
See the changes wrought by a single century.
Much of mainland Asia in the 1930s faced an unappealing choice: Western imperialism or Japanese imperialism.
Though even they don't know the tomb's precise location, the Darkhad continue to keep their leader's final resting place a treasured secret.
After facing racism in America, Bullard made a home in France, where he became the first African American military pilot during World War I.
Pigs, buckets, and dogs were flash points for conflicts that could have been easily avoided.
If You're Reading This... offers a deeply personal look into the last written words of soldiers thinking of home.
Operation Iceberg was a hugely costly battle for America during WWII. Explore the scene through these historical photos.
Explore how the most violent conflict in American history led to a defining period for the country, and its influence on our current era.
Chiune Sugihara is believed to have saved five times as many lives as his more famous counterpart, Oskar Schindler.
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Tubman led 150 men in a military operation that freed 750 enslaved people and wreaked havoc on Confederate troops.
Neil Faulkner explores how a historian's insight impacted the development of the Middle East, in Lawrence of Arabia's War.
Cathay Williams was inspired to join the U.S. Army during her time pressed into service in the Civil War.
During the early Battle of Long Island, a British victory left American forces dejected.
By Orrin Grey
The size of the submarines, a lack of ventilation, and the novelty of submarine warfare led to some uncomfortable situations.
We sat down for a special Father's Day-themed interview with the author of 40 Thieves on Saipan.
These glimpses into the past will help you cope with the present.
A seminal cartoon presaged the American entrance into the Pacific Theater.