Videos

The Aztec warriors built one of history’s most powerful empires through fierce discipline, relentless warfare and a highly effective military force that dominated much of the ancient world.

World War II veterans from across service branches discuss what they most want Americans to remember about World War II.

Uncover how the Roman Empire built lasting power through military innovation, efficient governance and cultural integration across its vast territories.

Explore how industrialization revolutionized warfare, from mass production and railways to tanks and drones, and discover how these advances have shaped conflicts from the 19th century to today.

Uncover how France navigated monarchy, revolution and Napoleon’s legacy after Waterloo, shaping the nation’s modern identity.

A failed wallpaper cleaning product gets a second chance as a classroom craft and accidentally becomes one of America’s most iconic toys.

In 1803 Italy, a scientist tests the idea that the body runs on electricity using an executed prisoner, sparking eerie questions about reanimation.

Early driving was risky—rumble seats, built-in cigarette lighters and fire-prone cars made even short trips dangerous.

In the early 19th century, America had no standard of education—every town and city could teach its students in different ways. Until Horace Mann had an idea.

Remember when playtime meant tempting fate? From toy belts that fired speeding projectiles to high-powered pogo sticks that sent us soaring, these perilous playthings were made for kids—but their risks were anything but child’s play.

In the summer of 1982, nearly 20,000 garment workers—mostly Asian American women—filled the streets of New York’s Chinatown in solidarity. Their strike won a decisive victory and challenged the “model minority” myth that still persists today.

The DSM once labeled homosexuality a mental disorder. In the 1960s, LGBTQ+ activists Barbara Gittings and Frank Kameny pushed to change that, helping spur its removal from the DSM in 1973.

After WWII, veterans returned home with "combat fatigue," now known as PTSD. Psychiatrist Robert Felix lobbied to establish the National Institute of Mental Health and elevated mental health awareness in America.

In 1971, meteorologist Tetsuya Fujita created the Fujita Scale, which allowed scientists to categorize tornadoes, aiding in predictive weather patterns. Fujita revolutionized the understanding of thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons.

In 1870 England, after Charles Dickens died before finishing a mystery, claims emerged that his spirit continued the story by communicating through another person.

Abraham Lincoln has been linked to claims that he was a powerful professional wrestler who helped popularize iconic moves like the chokeslam.