Witch trial in Salem, Massachusetts. Lithograph by George H. Walker.

Colonial schoolroom scene showing teacher and students. Painting by Curran.

A black preacher addressing his mixed congregation on a plantation in South Carolina, c. 1860

An ancient fresco of the Danza Macabra (Dance of the Death) and Trionfo della Morte (Triumph of the Death)

Colored engraving of early colonists arriving at Jamestown, with local Indigenous people present.

Ousamequin, chief of the Wampanoag signs a peace treaty with Governor John Carver (1576 - 1621).

How the Salem Witch Trials Influenced the U.S. Justice System

Who Were the Main Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials?

The first execution in New England, North America of John Billington in 1630.

A Thanksgiving turkey on a table with pie.

George Whitefield preachingGeorge Whitefield preaching. English Anglican priest and a founder of Methodism. Preached during the Great Awakening in 1700s in Europe and American colonies. 16 December 1714  30 September 1770. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Colonial America was a vast land settled by Spanish, Dutch, French and English immigrants who established colonies such as St. Augustine, Florida; Jamestown, Virginia; and Roanoke in present-day North Carolina.

Colonial America

Colonial America was settled by Spanish, Dutch, French and English immigrants in colonies such as St. Augustine, Jamestown and Roanoke.

Colonial America: New World Settlements | HISTORY

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Sarah Pruitt is a writer and editor based in seacoast New Hampshire. She has been a frequent contributor to History.com since 2005, and is the author of Breaking History: Vanished! (Lyons Press, 2017), which chronicles some of history's most famous disappearances.

Sarah Pruitt

Dave Roos is a journalist and podcaster based in the U.S. and Mexico. He's the co-host of <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-time-machine/id1648738323__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WOj0eb3mc$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblical-time-machine/id1648738323__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WOj0eb3mc$">Biblical Time Machine</a>, a history podcast, and a writer for the popular podcast <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-should-know/id278981407__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WORJo2DiQ$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stuff-you-should-know/id278981407__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WORJo2DiQ$">Stuff You Should Know</a>. Learn more at <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.daveroos.com/__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WO_YrhCB4$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.daveroos.com/__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!HXBYfsRrBo7N5os-y_lSq05ShV3dCj9JEctYUd9Gok5iCyZHx7Gw2tqSCGiGSqkIqI2JpY9mKkYaNAhA-3WO_YrhCB4$">daveroos.com</a>.

Dave Roos

Jessica Pearce Rotondi is the author of <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://bit.ly/InheritLegacies__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!BX8sz9I7ILilE7m4RTaQnqvKzETh3kNCTVpl2nf1yLL_dIIV2G5r7s-YyJ3x4GFxdzSEzT1Q9tIn_IVLu7mHWLOhfRRBy0w$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://bit.ly/InheritLegacies__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!BX8sz9I7ILilE7m4RTaQnqvKzETh3kNCTVpl2nf1yLL_dIIV2G5r7s-YyJ3x4GFxdzSEzT1Q9tIn_IVLu7mHWLOhfRRBy0w$">What We Inherit: A Secret War and a Family’s Search for Answers</a>. Find her at <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://bit.ly/JPRTwitter__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!BX8sz9I7ILilE7m4RTaQnqvKzETh3kNCTVpl2nf1yLL_dIIV2G5r7s-YyJ3x4GFxdzSEzT1Q9tIn_IVLu7mHWLOhdpRBiTQ$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://bit.ly/JPRTwitter__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!BX8sz9I7ILilE7m4RTaQnqvKzETh3kNCTVpl2nf1yLL_dIIV2G5r7s-YyJ3x4GFxdzSEzT1Q9tIn_IVLu7mHWLOhdpRBiTQ$">@JessicaRotondi</a> or at <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://bit.ly/WhatWeInherit__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!BX8sz9I7ILilE7m4RTaQnqvKzETh3kNCTVpl2nf1yLL_dIIV2G5r7s-YyJ3x4GFxdzSEzT1Q9tIn_IVLu7mHWLOhsaTHWD4$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://bit.ly/WhatWeInherit__;!!CyZMqN24eIU!BX8sz9I7ILilE7m4RTaQnqvKzETh3kNCTVpl2nf1yLL_dIIV2G5r7s-YyJ3x4GFxdzSEzT1Q9tIn_IVLu7mHWLOhsaTHWD4$">JessicaPearceRotondi.com</a>.

Jessica Pearce Rotondi

Lesley Kennedy is a features writer and editor living in Denver. Her work has appeared in national and regional newspapers, magazines and websites.

Lesley Kennedy

Elizabeth Yuko, Ph.D., is a bioethicist and journalist, as well as an adjunct professor of ethics at Fordham University. She has written for numerous publications, including Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Atlantic.

Elizabeth Yuko

J.S. Marcus is a freelance journalist based in Berlin. His work appears in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and other publications.

J.S. Marcus

Thanksgiving, which occurs on the fourth Thursday in November, is based on the colonial Pilgrims' 1621 harvest meal. The holiday continues to be a day for Americans to gather for a day of feasting, football and family.

Thanksgiving

James Horn, historian and president of the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, is the author of <a href="https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/james-horn/a-brave-and-cunning-prince/9781541600034/">A Brave and Cunning Prince: The Great Chief Opechancanough and the War for America</a>, among other books.&nbsp;

James Horn

Native American history spans an array of diverse groups and leaders, including Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Tecumseh, and events like the Trail of Tears, the French and Indian War and the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Native American History

Listicle

Folklore is made up of age-old traditions, music, stories and superstitions that help define human culture. Discover the truth behind mysteries, legends and paranormal curiosities such as UFOs, the Bermuda Triangle, zombies, werewolves, witches, vampires and more.

Mysteries & Folklore

Crime has been a dark and powerful undercurrent in human society throughout history. Uncover the facts behind some of the most daring robberies, brazen scams and brutal murders ever committed.

Crime

The Revolutionary War waged by the American colonies against Britain influenced political ideas and revolutions around the globe, as a small fledgling nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.

American Revolution

The Middle Ages, the medieval period of European history between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance, are sometimes referred to as the "Dark Ages."

Middle Ages

The U.S. Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, created America’s federal government, established fundamental laws and legal structures while guaranteeing certain basic rights for American citizens.

Colonial America ‑ Stories

Why Some Founding Fathers Disapproved of the Boston Tea Party

Why We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving

Salem Witch Trials: What Caused the Hysteria?

Who Was the First Convicted Murderer in America?

How ‘Poor Laws’ Tried to Tackle Poverty in Colonial America

What School Was Like in the 13 Colonies

The Surprising Religious Diversity of America’s 13 Colonies

7 Mysterious Mass Illnesses That Defied Explanation

The Native American Chief Who Drove Out Spanish Colonists—and Nearly Expelled the English

Why the Wampanoag Signed a Peace Treaty with the Mayflower Pilgrims

How the Salem Witch Trials Influenced the American Legal System

Salem Witch Trials: Who Were the Main Accusers?