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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The British Soldier Who Escaped from Dunkirk by Stealing a Car

James May and six of his fellow soldiers were left behind on the dangerous beaches of Dunkirk.

Shanghai 1937: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the New Documentary

Inspired by Peter Harmsen’s New York Times-bestselling book, the new documentary looks at the beginning of World War II in China.

The Untold Story of Kate Warne, America's First Female Private Eye

When Kate Warne marched into Allan Pinkerton's office, he couldn't have imagined all she would achieve as his agent.

6 Languages That Could Be Another Kind of Navajo Code

The use of Native American languages during the Pacific Theater of World War II safeguarded every American move. 

FBI Surveillance: Why the Bureau Investigated Famous Writers

James Baldwin, Ernest Hemingway, and other writers were investigated for everything from sympathy towards the Cuban Revolution to Communist Party ties. 

A Missing Tuskegee Airman's Remains Were Identified After 74 Years

Captain Lawrence Dickson was just 24 when his red-tailed P-51 Mustang fighter was downed in 1944. 

The Last American Troop Killed in WWII Died After the War Ended

Tragically, one last American life was lost between the announcement of Japan's surrender and the signing of the document.

Fly Girls: The Daring Women Who Competed in Airplane Races During the Early 1900s 

Amelia Earhart, Ruth Elder, and Louise Thaden were among the incredible women who fought for a chance to race against men…and won.