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Pandemics ‑ Stories

HISTORY.com is covering a range of angles about pandemics of the past to help frame the COVID-19 crisis.

When WWI, Pandemic and Slump Ended, Americans Sprang Into the Roaring Twenties

After enduring dark times, Americans were eager for a comeback.

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How the Flu Became Endemic

How the World Learned to Manage the Flu

Since the 1940s, the World Health Organization has worked with different countries to keep the flu endemic by identifying strains and watching for signs of a pandemic.

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The Chicken Pox vaccine.

How a Vaccine Slowed the Spread of Chickenpox

The highly contagious disease dates to ancient times and spread easily in households and classrooms—until the development of a vaccine.

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The First ‘Vaccine Passports’ Were Scars from Smallpox Vaccinations

The First ‘Vaccine Passports’ Were Scars from Smallpox Vaccinations

When smallpox ravaged the United States at the turn of the 20th century, many public spaces required people to show their vaccine scars for entry.

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How World War I Eclipsed 1918 Pandemic Memorials

How World War I’s Legacy Eclipsed the 1918 Pandemic

Both World War I and the 1918 influenza pandemic were devastating events in history. So why did memorials for one event overshadow the other?

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The Deadliest Events in US History

The Deadliest Events in US History

From pandemics to wars to natural disasters, these events took the highest tolls on American lives.

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When the Supreme Court Ruled a Vaccine Could Be Mandatory

A 1905 decision provided a powerful and controversial precedent for the flexing of government authority.

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4 Diseases You’ve Probably Forgotten About Because of Vaccines

Vaccines are so effective at fighting disease that sometimes it’s easy to forget their impact.

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Why the 1918 Flu Pandemic Never Really Ended

Why the 1918 Flu Pandemic Never Really Ended

After infecting millions of people worldwide, the 1918 flu strain shifted—and then stuck around.

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How a Pandemic Subdued Halloween in 1918

How the Flu Pandemic Changed Halloween in 1918

Officials feared Halloween celebrations could spread the virus or disrupt those who were sick or mourning.

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During the 1918 Flu Pandemic, African Americans Struggled to Get Healthcare

Why African Americans Were More Likely to Die During the 1918 Flu Pandemic

Most hospitals turned them away—or sent them to the basement for treatment.

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US Presidents Who Became Ill or Incapacitated While in Office

What Happens When a President Becomes Ill or Incapacitated While in Office?

Presidents dating back to George Washington have faced serious health issues while in office. Since 1967, the 25th Amendment has provided clear protocol.

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