Military History Articles

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.

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Grant and Twain: How Two American Icons Relived the War in Literature

The Confederate deserter and the victorious Union general shared their reminisces with each other and the country.

The Inspirational Tale of a Vietnam Vet Who Saved Thousands of Lives on 9/11

Meet Rick Rescorla, a US and UK vet whose quick action saved countless souls in 2001.

Colditz Castle: The World War II POW Camp the Nazis Considered Inescapable

Meet the many men who proved the Nazis wrong and learn about the fascinating ways in which they pulled off the impossible.

The Courageous Acts of Resistance That Led to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

In January of 1943, Warsaw Ghetto inmates began defying their German enemies—and sparked a widespread hunger for resistance.

The Slave Who Stole A Confederate Ship And Sailed His Way to Freedom

Robert Smalls commandeered a ship, freed dozens of other slaves, and convinced President Lincoln to allow black men to serve in the Union Army.

She Was One of the First Female Generals, but Her Legacy is in Telling Other Women’s Stories

Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught has continued her work long after her retirement.

Iwo Jima: The True Details of an Iconic Photograph in the Midst of Battle

Discover the essential account of the men who raised the flags during the Battle of Iwo Jima.