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Discover the real reason why Memorial Day always happens on a Monday, plus how the holiday actually does differ from Veterans Day, and more.
Civil War
Civil War surgeons learned fast. Here are a few of the MacGyver-like medical solutions that have had a lasting impact.
With the Combahee River Raid of 1863, Harriet Tubman earned her nickname "Moses" all over again—and became the first woman in U.S. history to lead a major military expedition.
The ship’s pilot helped his family reach freedom, then served in the Civil War and in the U.S. Congress. Robert Smalls’s statue will be the first to honor an individual Black citizen on South Carolina State House grounds.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday? Yes—and we have Opal Lee to thank for that.
In his famous 1858 speech, Abraham Lincoln warned that only civil war would resolve the issue of slavery in the U.S. He wasn’t wrong.
An anonymous letter supposedly from a member of a secret society claimed that Franklin Pierce was involved in treasonous activities against the American government—an accusation that infuriated the former president.
The history of political dueling in the U.S. doesn’t end with Hamilton and Burr.
One scam was convincing enough to fool George Washington.
Juneteenth has been celebrated since enslaved people in Texas were told about their freedom on June 19, 1865. Here's what you need to know about the holiday.
The three-day Civil War battle was a badly needed win for the North—but like all victories, it came with a price.
Ulysses S. Grant was a complicated man in one of the most complicated times in United States history.
From Pontiac's Rebellion to the Battle for Castle Itter, here are eight of the most legendary clashes that were waged after the war was technically over.
Who was Ida B. Wells? A journalist, suffragist, civil rights leader, and now the latest doll in Barbie’s ‘Inspiring Women’ series.
The time capsule dates back to 1887 and was thought to contain an image of Abraham Lincoln in his coffin. Conservators found something else instead.
At the height of the Civil War, a soldier advocacy group displayed a sculpture made from the presidential follicles of Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary to raise money for troops. Now it's a historical curio.
Stained-glass windows depicting Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were removed in 2017. Now, Kerry James Marshall is working on their replacements.
The Freedmen’s Bureau Project records are now digitized and available on Ancestry.com, providing millions of African Americans free access to discover their roots.
During the 1800s, roughly 100,000 enslaved people sought freedom on the Underground Railroad, which stretched from the American South to Canada.
Bureaucratic red tape is a tale as old as time. Or, to be a little more precise, roughly 400 years old.
Who was Clara Barton, really? Transcribing her personal documents can help shed light on a complex question.
More From the History Section
The phrase “cat’s got your tongue” has inspired theories involving witches, sailors, and ancient Egyptians—but its true origins remain unclear.
From burgers rebranded as "Liberty steaks" to the military origins of SPAM and baked beans, explore the fascinating history behind seven classic American cookout staples.
From Amelia Earhart to D.B. Cooper, many theories surround these long-standing aviation mysteries, without any conclusions made.
They might sound silly now, but these rules were taken very seriously throughout eras in history.
Discover surprising historical figures born in the same year, from Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. to Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth II.
From rubbing dormouse fat on the feet to drinking morphine, these old insomnia cures may have done more harm than good.
Uncover secrets of Leonardo da Vinci's painting 'The Last Supper' that you've likely missed, including geometric illusions and a hidden musical score.
The Altamont Speedway Free Festival was the conclusion to the Rolling Stones' 1969 tour. It was also marred by tragedy and irresponsibility.