Arts & Entertainment

How Movie Theaters Got Their Start in America

In April 1896, Thomas Edison rented a New York Vaudeville hall to show a film—an event that many consider to be America's first movie theater experience.

Trending

imports, tariffs
U.S. Government and Politics

What Is a Tariff?

a pile of three pairs of folded jeans
Arts & Entertainment

How Blue Jeans Took Over the World

A view of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum in Xi 'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
Asian History

5 Things You May Not Know About the Terra Cotta Army

Today's Picks

Smiley Buttons
Arts & Entertainment

How the Smiley Face Was Born—and Made Millions

Featured Video

HISTORY Shorts: The Record-Setting Filibuster to Deny Civil Rights

Filibustering is a long and strange tradition, and its record-setting moment came to deny a large portion of Americans their constitutional rights.

This Day in History

Pony Express rider crossing hostile country between St Joseph, Missouri, and San Francisco, pursued by native Americans. Horse and rider relay mail service took about 10 days to cover the 1,800 mile route and operated from April 1860 to October 1861 when

APR

3

1860

Pony Express debuts

1948

President Harry Truman signs Marshall Plan

1996

Unabomber arrested

1513

Ponce de León claims Florida for Spain

See More

Who Said it?

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock-Thomas Jefferson
If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.-Shirley Chisholm

Now Streaming on HISTORY

See All Shows
Stream HISTORY
Stream HISTORY
See All Shows

Arab American History

21st Century

Arab American Heritage Month 2025

Celebrating the rich and diverse culture and contributions of of the diverse population of Arab Americans, National Arab American Heritage Month has been observed during the month of April since 2017.

Arab American Heritage Month
Islamic Center of Washington in Washington, D.C.

The Oldest Mosques in America

Small mosques may have been built in America in the 16th century, but these structures constructed later persist to this day.

6 Groundbreaking Innovations by Arab Americans, Heart surgeon, Dr. Michael DeBakey

6 Groundbreaking Innovations by Arab Americans

Americans born in or with ancestral ties to Arab-speaking countries have made countless significant scientific, medical and engineering contributions.

Interior view of a Syrian shop showing customers buying marcouck, circa 1919.

Arab Immigration to the United States: Timeline

The first major period of Arab immigration started around 1880, when residents of the Ottoman Empire began to come to the United States.

HISTORY Shorts

See All Videos
See All Videos

Who's Making History

Aaron Leanhardt

The physicist-turned-coach helped design the "torpedo" bat, a potentially game-changing innovation in baseball.

The Beatles

The Beatles

Casting has been announced for who will play The Fab Four in four upcoming biopics told from the perspective of each band member.

Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis

Set to be canonized on April 27, Acutis, who died at age 15, will be the first millennial Catholic saint.

History Revealed

Sign up for "Inside History"

Get fascinating history stories twice a week that connect the past with today’s world, plus an in-depth exploration every Friday.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

More details: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us

King Tut's gold mask