Skylab floats above Earth in February 1974.

Joe Kittinger begins his historic freefall in August 1960.

From Sputnik to Spacewalking: 7 Soviet Space Firsts

Free Soil Party, presidential elections, martin van buren

Surface of Mars, taken by Viking 1. The round areas are impact craters where asteroids have hit the planet. 1975.

Elizabeth Hanes

Elizabeth Hanes Archives | HISTORY

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HISTORY

America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian—the U.S. president—would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.

U.S. Presidents

The Roman Empire, led by rulers such as Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Caligula and Nero, was a vast and powerful domain that gave rise to the culture, laws, technologies and institutions that continue to define Western civilization.

Ancient Rome

Listicle

Legacy Unpublished

Each year on February 14, people exchange cards, candy or flowers with their special “valentine.” St. Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.

Valentine’s Day

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

U.S. Government and Politics

Sports and recreation are an integral part of human history, from the ancient Olympics to the Kentucky Derby, Jackie Robinson, Negro League Baseball, the Super Bowl and more.

Sports

From religious and patriotic holidays to celebrations of ethnic pride, explore the history of Easter, Passover, New Year's Day, Veterans' Day, Memorial Day and more annual observances.

Annual Observances

Space exploration, one of the greatest technological achievements in human history, includes the Apollo missions, the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger, and people like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

Space Exploration

Though the 19th century saw the rise of populism, the labor movement and Jacksonian democracy, it also ushered in the Gilded Age, when men like Cornelius Vanderbilt and J. P. Morgan wielded vast control over politics and business.

Elizabeth Hanes ‑ Stories

A Brief History of American Campaign Finance Reform in 7 Acts

9 Lesser‑Known Political Parties

10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Old West

6 Surprising Facts About St. Valentine

Beyond Punxsutawney: Meet the Other Groundhogs

Joe Kittinger’s Death‑Defying Leap From the Edge of Space

From Sputnik to Spacewalking: 7 Soviet Space Firsts

6 Fascinating Facts About Space Probe Voyager 1

Mars and Martian Mania: A Brief History

5 Strange Olympic Sports You Won’t See at the 2012 London Games

The Day Skylab Crashed to Earth: Facts About the First U.S. Space Station’s Re‑Entry

Independence Day at the White House: 5 Fourth of July Tales