History

Heiji era (1159–1160) Heiji A brief Japanese era (nengō) from April 1159 to January 1160 during Emperor Nijō's reign, notable for the short but consequential Heiji Rebellion and the rise of samurai power unde…

Heisei period (Japan, 1989–2019) Heisei period The Heisei era of Japan (1989–2019) under Emperor Akihito encompassed economic change, major natural disasters, political shifts and social trends that shaped contemporary Japan.

Hellenistic period (323–146 BC): culture, kingdoms, and legacy Hellenistic period Era following Alexander the Great’s death when Greek culture spread across the Eastern Mediterranean, producing new monarchies, scientific advances, artistic change and lasting cul…

Helvetic Republic (1798–1803) Helvetic Republic Short-lived centralized Swiss state formed after the French invasion (1798), inspired by revolutionary ideas and named for the Helvetii; it lasted until Napoleon's Act of Mediation…

Helvetii: Celtic People of the Swiss Plateau Helvetii Ancient Celtic tribe centered on the Swiss plateau, known from Roman sources for their society, a large migration attempt in the 1st century BC, and their lasting name in Helvetia…

Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor Henry II (c. 973–1024), called the Holy or the Saint, was the last ruler of the Ottonian dynasty. King of Germany from 1002 and crowned emperor in 1014, he promoted ecclesiastical…

Henry IV Henry IV is a regnal name used by several European monarchs and appears in literature. Prominent bearers include the Holy Roman Emperor, the English king who founded the Lancastria…

Heptarchy: the seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of early medieval England Heptarchy The Heptarchy denotes the seven principal Anglo-Saxon kingdoms—Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Essex, Kent, Sussex and Wessex—and the period of shifting rulership that preceded E…

Heqin: Chinese dynastic marriage alliances Heqin Heqin denotes diplomatic marriage alliances in Chinese history, where imperial or noble women were married into rival or neighboring courts to secure peace, tribute, or political t…

Heraldry of León (Spain) Heraldry of León The heraldic lion is the historic emblem of the city, province and medieval kingdom of León. This article explains its appearance, origins, historical use, symbolism and relation t…

Herero and Namaqua genocide (German South-West Africa, 1904–1908) Herero and Namaqua genocide State-orchestrated mass killings and internment of the Herero and Nama peoples by German colonial forces in present-day Namibia between 1904 and 1908, widely recognized as an early…

Hi Province (Hi no kuni): an ancient Japanese province of western Kyushu Hi Province Hi Province (Hi no kuni), also called Hishū, is an ancient Japanese province whose territory corresponds roughly to the later provinces of Hizen and Higo and to parts of modern Nag…

Hidaka Province (Hokkaido) Hidaka Province Short-lived Meiji-era province on Hokkaido (1869–1882). Territory corresponds largely to today's Hidaka Subprefecture; formed during Hokkaido's reorganization and later replaced by…

Hide (unit of land) Hide (unit) A medieval English unit of land roughly meant to support one household; variable in size, later used as a fiscal and administrative measure for taxes, obligations and military serv…

High Middle Ages (11th–13th centuries) High Middle Ages Period of European history (c. 1000–1300) marked by population growth, urban revival, Crusades, cathedral-building, rise of monarchies, universities and widening trade networks.

Highwayman: Robbers on Horseback in Britain and Beyond Highwayman Highwaymen were mounted robbers who ambushed travelers and coaches from the early modern period to the 19th century. This article explains their methods, history, punishment, famou…

Higo Province — historical province of Japan (now Kumamoto) Higo Province Higo Province was an old province of Japan on Kyūshū, corresponding to most of modern Kumamoto Prefecture. This article summarizes its geography, history, culture, and legacy.

Hindu calendar A family of interrelated lunisolar calendars used across South Asia to regulate religious festivals, agricultural seasons and traditional chronology, with several regional forms an…

Historian: Role, Methods, Development, and Significance Historian A historian studies and interprets the human past using written, oral, and material sources. This article outlines what historians do, their methods, skills, major subfields, and t…

Historical Dictionary of Switzerland A comprehensive, multilingual scholarly encyclopedia of Swiss history, produced by a foundation with academic oversight and a large team of historians, editors and translators.

Historical method The techniques historians use to locate, evaluate, corroborate and interpret evidence; core steps, types of sources, historical development, modern tools, and limits of the method.

Historical novel: definition, development, and significance Historical novel A historical novel blends fictional characters and plot with real historical settings, events, and figures. It balances storytelling with research, varies in fidelity to facts, and…

The Histories (Herodotus): Origins, Content and Influence Histories (Herodotus) Survey of Herodotus's Histories: its composition, structure, principal themes, notable episodes, debates about reliability, and its role as an early model of historical writing.

Historiography: the study and practice of writing history Historiography An overview of historiography: what it studies, key methods and sources, how it developed, major debates and practical uses in scholarship and public life.

Historische Zeitschrift: Germany’s pioneering academic history journal Historische Zeitschrift Overview of the Historische Zeitschrift: its foundation, editorial character, influence on professional historiography, and role in inspiring other national historical reviews.

History: study of past events, evidence, methods, and significance History History is the systematic study of past events, using written records, material remains, oral testimony and critical methods to explain change over time and its meaning for societi…

History of ancient Israel and Judah Overview of the Iron Age kingdoms of Israel and Judah: geography, origins, political history, exile and return, Hellenistic and Roman eras, cultural development and lasting legacy.

History of Armenia: From Prehistory to the Modern Republic History of Armenia A concise, neutral overview of Armenia’s long history: prehistoric cultures, ancient kingdoms, Christianization, medieval states, modern upheavals, diaspora, and contemporary indep…

History of Asia: Regions, Civilizations, Nomads, and Long‑term Change History of Asia Survey of Asia’s historical development: regional divisions, early river civilizations, steppe nomads, geographic barriers, major empires, trade networks, and long‑term transformat…

History of Australia: Indigenous cultures, exploration, colonisation and nationhood History of Australia A concise, balanced account of Australia's human history: ancient Indigenous presence, European contact and settlement, 19th‑century change, federation, and modern developments.

History of Azerbaijan: From Antiquity to Modern Independence History of Azerbaijan A concise overview of Azerbaijan's history, covering ancient roots, medieval states, imperial rule, Soviet era, independence, and contemporary cultural and geopolitical issues.

History of Baseball in the United States A concise history of how baseball developed in the U.S., from 19th‑century informal games through professionalization, segregation and integration, to its cultural role today.

History of Chess: Origins, Development, and Modern Significance History of chess Survey of chess history from its origins in India through medieval transmission, Renaissance rule changes, modern tournaments, and its cultural and technological impact.

History of China: From Early Civilizations to the Modern State History of China Survey of China's history from prehistoric settlements and early dynasties, through imperial eras and innovations, to 20th-century transformation and contemporary significance.

History of Christianity A concise overview of Christianity’s origins, development, major branches, doctrines, global spread, and key figures and places that shaped its history.

History of Colonialism: Origins, Expansion, and Global Consequences History of colonialism A concise overview of the history of colonialism: early examples, European overseas empires, 19th-century expansion, decolonization, and lasting global impacts and distinctions.

History of Curitiba: from indigenous lands to a model of urban planning History of Curitiba A concise history of Curitiba, capital of Paraná, tracing indigenous roots, colonial settlement, 19th-century growth, 20th-century planning innovations and its contemporary cultura…

History of England A structured overview of England’s history from prehistoric settlement and Roman rule through medieval, early modern, industrial and modern periods, highlighting political, social…

History of Europe: an outline from antiquity to the present History of Europe A concise, neutral overview of Europe's long history: major periods, institutions, movements, conflicts and legacies from ancient civilizations through modern integration.

History of Florida: Indigenous Peoples, Colonial Struggles, and Modern Growth History of Florida A concise, organized account of Florida’s past: indigenous settlement, European contact, colonial transfers, U.S. acquisition, statehood, and the economic and cultural forces that…

History of India: From the Indus Valley to the Modern Republic History of India Survey of India's long and diverse history, covering major periods, cultural developments, political changes, and enduring legacies from ancient civilization to contemporary nation…

History of Indonesia: From Prehistory to the Reformasi Era History of Indonesia Survey of Indonesia's history: prehistoric settlement, Austronesian expansion, classical kingdoms, Islamisation, European colonisation, 20th-century independence, Suharto era and t…

History of Iran Survey of Iran’s history from ancient civilizations through imperial dynasties to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the modern Islamic Republic, highlighting major periods, cultural…

History of Ireland: Prehistory, invasions, cultural change and modern states History of Ireland Concise survey of Ireland’s history from early settlement and Gaelic society through Viking and Norman influence, union with Britain, the 20th‑century partition, and contemporary p…

History of Islam: origins, expansion, and historical impact History of Islam A concise, neutral overview of the history of Islam from its emergence in 7th-century Arabia through major political eras, cultural contributions, and modern developments.

History of Japan: from prehistoric settlements to the modern nation-state History of Japan A concise, chronological overview of Japan’s history covering prehistoric settlement, state formation, feudal eras, isolation and reopening, modernization, wartime experience, and…

History of Kansas: From Indigenous Homelands to Modern Statehood History of Kansas Concise history of Kansas: Indigenous peoples and bison, European contact, territorial conflict, Bleeding Kansas, statehood, agriculture, railroads, migration, politics, environmen…

History of North America A concise, structured overview of North American history from first peoples and regional cultures through European colonization to modern political, social, and economic developmen…