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.
This combined unit is the most decorated for its size in U.S. military history.
By Malia Ogawa
The French fleet posed a difficult problem for British officials.
By Robert Walsh
Wars are never fought fair and square.
Its likes had never been seen before.
This 11th-century takeover changed the fate of England.
What started out as a miscommunication escalated to full-scale conflict.
After months of conflict, Allied forces forced German troops to retreat from Rome on June 5, 1944.
These riveting reads offer fresh insight into America's fight for independence.
The mystery of the "Angel's Glow" wasn't solved until 2001.
This minor battle led to major strategic victory for the rebelling colonists in the first months of the Revolutionary War.
These military engagements dragged on for centuries.
By Robert Walsh
The balance of power in Europe was at stake throughout the 13-year conflict.
A clever Union colonel helped split the Confederacy in two.
These military conflicts affected the outcome of the war—and some even changed the face of warfare forever.
By Robert Walsh
Driven to help, Louise Thuliez aided underground networks in France despite facing an all-too-real threat of execution.
By Robert Walsh
These historical gadgets could be smuggled right under the enemy's nose.
By Orrin Grey
A picture is worth a thousand words.
By Kara Brand
From brilliant victories to unpredictable military upsets, these conflicts stunned the ancient world.
By Orrin Grey
Once a forbidden subject, recent years have begun to bring details of a dark time to light.
By Robert Walsh
Real devastation, fictional monsters, and a swimsuit all collided in the Pacific Ocean.