INSTANT ARTICLES | War History

US Navy, Air Force Trying to Recruit Public At ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Screenings

Clare Fitzgerald
Tom Cruise as Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Those old enough to remember the premiere of the original Top Gun film in 1986 likely recall seeing US Navy-run recruitment booths outside of theater…

Historic Deception and Camouflage Techniques Used By Militaries

Dummy tank on display

Deception and military subterfuge have been used throughout history. The aim is to give armies the upper hand by tricking the enemy. The practice dates…

The M1 Helmet Both Protected and Posed a Risk to Soldiers on the Front

Soldier charging forward with his weapon

Helmets were first introduced to American soldiers in 1917, as a way of protecting servicemen from suffering head trauma while fighting in Europe. One of the…

Bastogne Was a Defining Moment for the 101st Airborne Division

101st Airborne soldier aiming his weapon in the snow

The “Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Airborne Division proved their strength, stamina and heroism by pushing themselves to the absolute limit while undermanned and lacking…

Sparrow Force Commandos Fought Against Unprecedented Odds During the Battle of Timor

Todd Neikirk
Australian soldier walking outside

When Japan entered the Second World War, the island nation of Timor was a big target. A small group of Australian, Dutch and British soldiers…

The Titanic’s Sister Ship Took Out a German U-boat in World War I

The RMS Olympic in dazzle camouflage

When the RMS Olympic was launched in October 1910, she was the largest man-made moving object in the world. At 882 feet long, Olympic set…

Battle for Hill 3234: The True Story Behind the ‘9th Company’ Movie

Elisabeth Edwards
Still from '9th Company'

On January 7, 1988, 39 men from 9th Company, 345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment, Soviet Airborne Troops landed on the peak of Hill 3234, along…

Why Were Pigeons Onboard America’s First Aircraft Carrier?

USS Langley (CV-1) at sea + Pigeon sitting in someone's hand

The first American aircraft carrier was commissioned 100 years ago and onboard was a crew of small, winged comrades who proved their service was invaluable…

US Navy Sailors, Command Treated to Advanced Screening of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Clare Fitzgerald
Tom Cruise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Nearly 1,000 active sailors serving with the US Navy were recently treated to an advanced screening of the new Tom Cruise film Top Gun: Maverick,…

Six Things War Movies Get Wrong About Grenades

Elisabeth Edwards
Soldier preparing to throw a hand grenade

When it comes to explosive weapons, nothing is more recognizable (and misunderstood) than the hand grenade. Movies and video games usually depict someone pulling the…

What Happened to the ‘Lost’ Confederate Gold?

Portrait of Jefferson Davis + Pile of gold bars

Going to war can be incredibly expensive. As such, the Confederate States of America solicited donations from wealthy citizens. A lot of that gold –…

Myths About the American Civil War That Need to Be Addressed

Painting of the Battle of Atlanta

One of the most, if not the most, prominent topics in US history is the American Civil War. While the majority of what’s presented about…