This Once-Enslaved Woman Disguised Herself as a Man to Enlist in the U.S. Army
Cathay Williams was inspired to join the U.S. Army during her time pressed into service in the Civil War.
Life Aboard WWII Submarines Was Brutal
The size of the submarines, a lack of ventilation, and the novelty of submarine warfare led to some uncomfortable situations.
The Dirty Truth of Medieval Knighthood
Being a knight wasn't really about wooing fair maidens or grand quests—it was hard, dirty work.
Take a Fresh Look at WWI with 8 Rarely Seen Photos of The Great War
These infrequently shared photos re-contextualize the global conflict.
This Marine Came Back To His Family 5 Years After He Died
Ronald Ridgeway survived long years in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp.
How A Prostitute Turned Pirate Queen Defeated 3 Navies At Once
Chinese, British, and Portuguese forces combined couldn't take down Ching Shih.
The Inspirational Tale of a Vietnam Vet Who Saved Thousands of Lives on 9/11
Meet Rick Rescorla, a US and UK vet whose quick action saved countless souls in 2001.
5 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About the Pony Express
This short-lived service has maintained a large presence in our historical imagination.
What Does The World Health Organization Actually Do?
Created in the wake of WWII, WHO has changed the world many times over.
Our Forgotten Heroes: Why Don’t We Talk About World War I?
Remember the sacrifices service members made—both during and after World War I.
The Slave Who Stole A Confederate Ship And Sailed His Way to Freedom
Robert Smalls commandeered a ship, freed dozens of other slaves, and convinced President Lincoln to allow black men to serve in the Union Army.
How Dutch Intelligence Agents Fooled Communists For Almost 40 Years
A Dutch pro-China group was secretly filled with anti-communist agents for decades.
She Was One of the First Female Generals, but Her Legacy is in Telling Other Women’s Stories
Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught has continued her work long after her retirement.
Can A Pandemic Turn The Tide Of War?
History has proven the power of unchecked disease many times before.
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.
California Once Used Children To Fight A War On Squirrels
Squirrel Week resulted in some 100,000 rodent casualties.
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.
How Western Union Helped The U.S. Enter World War I
An intercepted telegram provided a reason for President Wilson to join the effort.
