WAR

Sergeant Marshall/Department of Defense, NARA // Public Domain

Would You Be Able to Pass a World War I Military Literacy Test?

Potential recruits had to answer questions like ‘Is genuine happiness a priceless treasure?,’ ‘Are avenues usually paved with oxygen?,’ and ‘Do you cordially recommend forgery?’

Where Did the Expression ‘Gung Ho’ Come From?

We get this byword for enthusiasm from an officer in the Marines named Evans Fordyce Carlson.

Forged in the Heat of Battle: The Origin of the Boy Scouts

Those iconic khaki uniforms are usually associated with childhood adventure, but scouting was actually forged in the heat of battle by a desperate British military officer.

The Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Cold War from 1961 to 1989.

11 Chilling Facts About the Cold War

The U.S. and USSR employed spies, quelled internal dissent, made allies abroad, and stockpiled nuclear weapons in this proxy war.

The Dame of Sark, Sibyl Hathaway, in March 1953.

How the World’s Only Feudal Lord Outclassed the Nazis to Save Her People

Dame Sibyl Hathaway protected her people with the unlikeliest of weapons: Feudal etiquette, old-world manners, and a dollop of classic snobbery.

The names of all three of these folks have gotten the adjective treatment.

11 People Whose Names Became Adjectives

From David Lynch to Queen Elizabeth I, these folks achieved a type of lexical immortality when their names became adjectives.

Eugene Bullard, the World’s First Black Fighter Pilot

Eugene Bullard survived some of the deadliest battles in history and became the world’s first Black fighter pilot—all before the age of 30.

Why Do We Call the Country “the Boonies”?

We have the military to thank.

The National Archives Is Looking for Volunteers With a “Superpower”: Reading Cursive

The agency needs help deciphering the flowing penmanship of the past.

Earth has played host to an untold number of human-made borders over the years.

Explore the History of Any Place on Earth With This Interactive Map

What was going on around the globe in 4000 BCE? This map shows you.

A gold coin depicting Mithradates VI Eupator.

10 Facts About Mithradates VI, the “Poison King” of Ancient Pontus

The 1st century BCE king of Pontus, a kingdom on the Black Sea coast, earned his nickname by creating poisons and antidotes—and testing them on himself.

The USS ‘Cobia’ is a living memorial—and an Airbnb attraction.

You Can Book a Night on a World War II Submarine Through Airbnb

Wisconsin's USS ‘Cobia’ offers guests a living history lesson via Airbnb.

Are the flags flying for Memorial Day or Veterans Day? Sometimes, it's tough to say.

What’s the Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?

Both Memorial Day and Veterans Day are meant to celebrate military veterans, but there's one important distinction you should remember.

35 Celebrities Who Served in the Military

You probably didn’t know about a few of these celebrity veterans who served the red, white, and blue.

9 Famous Figures Who Have Been Awarded Purple Hearts

Kurt Vonnegut and Oliver Stone have something in common: They both earned Purple Hearts. Discover other famous veterans have earned this venerated medal.

You can save this one for the next time someone makes you mad (though it might not do you any favors, either).

Where Does the Phrase ‘May You Live In Interesting Times’ Actually Come From?

This common phrase is often used during times of political uncertainty, and has even been described as an ancient Chinese curse. History says otherwise, though.

DNA Identifies Medieval Man Thrown Down a Well, Confirming a Norse Saga’s Tale

According to a medieval saga, the Norwegian “Well Man” might have been used as a biological weapon.

The National World War I Museum and Memorial is set to unveil its century-old time capsule.

The National WWI Museum Is About to Open Its 100-Year-Old Time Capsule

Reportedly, it doesn’t contain 1920s fashions or jazz records.

Nuclear Bunker, Land Lying To The East Of Longridge Lane SK17 8AE

Take a Virtual Tour of a Post-WWII Bunker Up for Sale in England

Now is your chance to own an important part of British history.

He wants you to learn about the symbol’s history.

Who Was Uncle Sam, and Why Did He ‘Want’ You?

Uncle Sam is an easily recognizable piece of wartime propaganda. And legend says he was based off a real person—though that may not actually be the case.

1/72 Testors F19 Secret Stealth Fighter unboxing and review LIVE!

The ’80s Toy That Was Considered a Threat to National Security

The F-19 became the bestselling model plane of all time. Some feared it leaked some highly classified military secrets.

The coins show a figure of a kneeling archer.

Hoard of Gold Coins Meant for Mercenaries Found in Ancient Greek City

Archaeologists discovered a hoard of Persian coins at the site of ancient Greek city in what is now Turkey.

Transorbital lobotomies have now entered the chat.

10 Riveting Nonfiction Books on History’s Greatest Medical Mysteries

These gory yet fascinating reads delve into the weirdest chapters of medical history, from the dancing plague of 1518 to the bizarre saga of Typhoid Mary.

The 2024 Summer Olympics will open in July in Paris (barring war or a pandemic).

6 Times the Olympics Have Been Postponed or Canceled

Since 1896, when the modern Olympic Games began, the event has been disrupted only six times—and it usually required a war.