Modern History Stories

So much has happened in the past decade alone, but what got us here? Humanity has evolved in so many ways in the modern era. From the Industrial Revolution to the invention of the iPhone, from the Space Race to SpaceX, from last century's influenza pandemic to Covid-19, there’s a lot to cover. These stories attempt to recount how we’ve gotten to where we are and the rapid change that took place within the last few centuries.

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On This Day: Robert Ford Shoots Jesse James

A so-called coward made his most infamous move on April 3, 1882.

How Dutch Intelligence Agents Fooled Communists For Almost 40 Years

A Dutch pro-China group was secretly filled with anti-communist agents for decades.

10 Essential Historical Nonfiction Books

Take your mind off the current world with riveting true accounts of history's most poignant moments.

Can A Pandemic Turn The Tide Of War?

History has proven the power of unchecked disease many times before.

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.

Explore History's Deadliest Diseases

Thanks to the advances of modern medicine, coronavirus shouldn't join their ranks.

TRAILER: The Next Great WWII Movie is Coming

Greyhound, written by and starring Tom Hanks, is coming this June.

10 War Books That Enlighten, Move, and Educate Their Readers

These books examine the burdens of battle, from the Revolutionary War to modern day Iraq.

What Happened to the German Mercenaries Who Fought Against the American Revolution?

These hired fighters didn't just disappear—but what happened to them may surprise you.

4 Union Generals That Were Better Than the Famous Ones

These hardworking generals outperformed the showboats at every turn.

This Former Slave Became The First African American West Point Grad

Henry Flipper, born a slave, beat astonishing odds and overcame classmates' racism to become the first black graduate in 1877.

Paul Robeson: Artist and Activist

The legendary performer carved a path of politics and persistence.

How the 3rd 395th Battalion's Last Stand Helped Win the Battle of the Bulge

Although outnumbered five-to-one, this battalion held their ground and killed more than 4,000 opposing German soldiers.

Harriet Tubman: The Facts of an Extraordinary Life

The woman who helped hundreds of enslaved people find freedom.

Cut Through the Chaos with These 10 French Revolution Books

Get a handle on the decade of instability that changed France—and the world—for good.

The 5 Stupidest Losses Of The American Civil War

Confederates and Union troops alike made flawed decisions with fatal consequences.

Valley Forge: The Bootcamp That Turned Around the American Revolution

The Continental Army rose from winter devastation to become a force to be reckoned with.