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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France’s Prolific Executioner: The Life and Death of Charles-Henri Sanson

He was one of France's most prolific executioners, having killed nearly 3,000 souls.

A Chilling Look Inside the Lindbergh Kidnapping

When a child's life is on the line, who do you believe?

The Vanishing Crew of the Carroll A. Deering

The crew and their belongings had disappeared for good.

The Vietnam War Docu-Series Premieres on PBS This Weekend

Master documentarian Ken Burns takes on a story that is still struggling to be told.

Abraham Lincoln Penned This True Crime Tale in 1846

Three brothers are accused of murder after an Illinois man vanishes in this sensationalized true crime story penned by Abraham Lincoln.

How the Stratton Brothers Became the First British Killers Busted by a Fingerprint

A thumbprint on a cashbox led police to the murderers—and changed the course of criminal history.

12 Books for Fans of Hamilton

Go back in time with books about Hamilton and the people who knew him best.

The Subterranean Mystery of the Williamson Tunnels

Buried deep beneath the streets of Liverpool is an underground world that defies explanation.

How the Pinkerton Detectives Took Down Chicago Grave Robbers in 1857

The infamous agency got its start protecting corpses from professional body snatchers.

London’s Ancient Outcast Graveyard

Step inside the Cross Bones Graveyard, London's mass burial ground for prostitutes, beggars, and thieves.

The Strange and Tragic Shipwreck of the Morro Castle

Fire brought down the ship—but was it an accident, or arson?

10 Most Famous Historical Solar Eclipses

Total solar eclipses are a rare and auspicious event.

Who Really Killed Dr. William Chapman?

His houseguest was convicted of the murder. But evidence against the doctor’s wife tells another story.