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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Hal Moore: Soldier, Veteran, Author

Lieutenant General Hal Moore left behind the legacy of a brave soul and a kind heart.

[CLOSED] Discover an Untold Story of the Holocaust

20 winners will receive a copy of 999: The Extraordinary Young Women of the First Jewish Transport to Auschwitz.

10 Must-Read Cold War Books

30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, look back at the conflict that defined a generation.

The First Aerial Bombing Run Was Made by the Italian Army

Bombing by balloon had been outlawed by the Hague Convention of 1899, but Italian forces found a workaround.

19 Essential Civil War Books

Explore the history of America's deadliest conflict with gripping fiction and nonfiction.

A Sixth Grade History Project Exonerated the Captain of the USS Indianapolis

Court-martialed after the sinking of the cruiser, Captain McVay's innocence was proven by Hunter Scott in 1996.

Japan's Attempt to Recreate Pearl Harbor Failed at the Battle of Midway

December 7 may be a date which will live in infamy, but in June 1942, the tides turned.

8 Essential Texts About Napoleon Bonaparte and the Napoleonic Wars

Dive into some of history's greatest battles and the life of one its most famous generals.

18 World War 2 Movies Every History Buff Should Watch

Some of our best films draw inspiration from the global conflict.

4 Women Earned Silver Stars in the Same WWII Battle

Mary Roberts, Elaine Roe, Virginia Rourke, and Ellen Ainsworth continued to save lives even as mortar shells rained down around them.

These 5 Brothers Were Heroes Of The American Revolution

The Butler family's contributions made our nation's birth possible.

How America’s First Domestic Tax Almost Ended the Nation

Just 15 years after the Declaration of Independence, a federal tax was the foment of the Whiskey Rebellion.

Meet the Mercy Dogs of World War I

Support dogs have a long-standing history that might surprise you.

10 Civil War Battles That Shaped America's Bloodiest Conflict

From 1861 to 1865, these battles determined the fate of the United States.

Punk Rock and Politics Collide in 1970s East Germany

Punks destroyed their jeans, their shirts...and the power structures that surrounded them.