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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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Anne Frank and Her Life in the Secret Annex

A book published by the Anne Frank House profiles the Secret Annex—the Frank family's two-year hideout—and the famous diarist's life inside.

8 Surprising Facts About Grigori Rasputin, Russia's "Mad Monk"

The mysterious historical figure remains an enigma, even in death.

That Time Los Angeles Fought off an Imaginary Japanese Bombing Raid

They called it the "Battle of L.A." There was just one problem—the City of Angels wasn't under attack.

That Time a WWII Bomber Pilot Climbed Onto the Wing Mid-Flight to Save His Crew

His crew tied a rope around his chest and he made his way onto the wing to extinguish the blaze.

Ruth Gruber: The Making of a Trailblazing Female Correspondent

In Ahead of Time, Gruber reflects on the early years of her career, including the assignment that took her back to 1930s Germany.

When Civil War Musicians Served as Battlefield Medics

The life of a Civil War regimental band member wasn't all treble clefs and drumsticks.

The Korean War Serves as a Cautious Reminder for the Future

North and South Korea's recent agreement has us looking back at the past.

The Midnight Ride of Sybil Ludington

The sixteen-year-old raced through the night to warn fellow colonists of approaching British forces.

The 9 Best Vietnam War Movies

The war that continues to haunt America is poignantly represented in these movies.

Nancy Wake: The Fearless Resistance Fighter Who Led Over 7,000 Soldiers Against the Nazis

“Somebody once asked me ‘Have you ever been afraid?’ Hah! I’ve never been afraid in my life.”

Meet the Nightfighters, a Division of Allied Soldiers Who Attacked Nazis with Empty Rifles and Grenades

They launched their attacks under cover of darkness, equipped only with empty rifles, bayonets, and grenades.

That Time Imperial Japan Tried to Bomb the U.S. Using Hydrogen Balloons

Approximately 9,000 balloons packed with explosives drifted toward American shores...

A Most Dangerous Humanitarian Mission: When Allied Pilots Dropped Food Into Nazi Occupied Territory

The best planes for the job were bombers—aircraft that German artillery units fired upon at every opportunity.

Moe Berg: The Boston Red Sox Catcher Who May Have Changed the Course of World War II

The third-string catcher secretly served as a spy for American intelligence during WWII...