"It is curious to note how fragile the memory is, even for the important times in one's life. This is, moreover, what explains the fortunate fantasy of history." (Marcel Duchamp)
videos + essays
We're adding new content all the time!
Africa historical overview: from the 1600s to the present
By the sixteenth century, Western trade involved Africans being forcibly brought to the Americas as slaves.
Africa historical overview: to 1600
Recent discoveries in southern Africa provide remarkable evidence of the earliest stirrings of human creativity.
A brief history of the cultures of Asia
An introduction to the diverse cultures of Asia and their intersecting histories
A brief history of Western culture
History is untidy. Though imperfect, defining periods and styles can order the chaos of millennia.
What maps tell us
Whether you’re centered on Jerusalem or relegated to a spot “down under,” maps reflect belief as much as location.
Common questions about dates
Where to begin? Depending on the calendar, it all starts with Christ’s birth, the new moon, or Pope Gregory.
