Best Databases for History Topics
Academic Search Premier
Academic OneFile |
These databases provide extensive coverage of academic journals and popular magazines that feature articles on historical topics; all countries and time periods |
Daily Life Online
Daily Life America |
Explores everyday life, both past and present; browse by country, region, and time period, as well as by topics like history, family life, religion, housing, clothing, etc. |
| Salem History |
Massive new database that includes the 35 volumes of the Great Events from History set: battles, treaties, people, discovery, business & industry, invention, arts, entertainment, sports, religion, etc. Coverage from Prehistory to the year 2000. Also includes Milestone Documents in American History (see description in the American History section below). |
| CultureGrams Online |
For each of the world's countries, provides information on the population, religion, customs & courtesies, dating, marriage, lifestyle, even recipes; much statistical data as well. |
| American History in Video |
Vast collection of videos from PBS, A&E, History Channel, Biography, newsreels, etc. Focus on people, places, historical events, topics (like transportation and disasters), and historical eras. Includes transcripts and video clip-making tools, enabling you to include video clips in your PowerPoint presentations. |
| History Resource Center: U.S. |
The premier source for American history: provides access to 4,000 primary source documents, as well as journal articles covering themes, events, individuals, and periods in U.S. history. |
| History Resource Center: World |
Provides access to articles in scholarly journals and reference books, as well as primary historical documents, maps, charts, images, etc.; coverage for all geographic regions and time periods. |
| Discovering Collection |
Good basic coverage of major topics in American and world history. Go here to enter your own search term, or select one of Topic Picklists below to browse subject areas: |
| Videos |
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NEW! Watch nearly 800 videos devoted to American History, European History, and World History. Select the History option from the Menu. |
| American History in Video |
Vast collection of videos from PBS, A&E, History Channel, Biography, newsreels, etc. Focus on people, places, historical events, topics (like transportation and disasters), and historical eras. Includes transcripts and video clip-making tools, enabling you to include video clips in your PowerPoint presentations. |
Topic Picklists from the Discovering Collection
For each of the areas below you can bring up a convenient listing of the major topics within that area.
Electronic Versions of History Reference Sources
American History European History World History
General Works
| Oxford Companions and Dictionaries |
Search about thirty standard Oxford reference works dealing with all aspects of American and world history; good for quick look-ups and overview articles |
| New Dictionary of the History of Ideas |
Not really a dictionary at all, but a comprehensive six-volume survey and analysis of the history of Western thought and culture, with 700 entries exploring the origin and development of the great ideas and concepts, e.g., equality, human rights, justice, nationalism, etc.; this is one of the monumental reference sets |
| Science and Its Times |
History of science, medicine, technology, and mathematics: essays on people, theories, discoveries, etc., set against the background of various historical periods |
| Oxford Companion to the History of Modern Science |
Focuses on the period from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century; articles on historical periods, people, discoveries, methodologies, etc. |
| Oxford Companion to Military History |
Overview of military history from classical times to the present; entries on key topics such as intelligence, propaganda, women in the military, etc., as well as on people and battles |
| Oxford Companion to World War II |
Covers all aspects of the war, with detailed surveys of major countries, as well as politics, strategy, campaigns, people, etc. |
American History
| Daily Life America |
Family life, food, fashion, housing, religion, holidays, folkways, etc. |
| Oxford Companion to United States History |
Over 1400 entries cover all aspects of American history: people, events, and topics such as science, religion, politics, social trends, the arts, economics, etc. |
| Milestone Documents in American History |
Included in the Salem History database. Provides full text of the most important documents in American history, e.g. Monroe Doctrine, Gettysburg Address, Roosevelt's Pearl Harbor Speech, Marshall Plan, Bybee Torture Memo, etc. An extensive analysis and historical overview are provided for each document |
| American History in Video |
Vast collection of videos from PBS, A&E, History Channel, Biography, newsreels, etc. Focus on people, places, historical events, topics (like transportation and disasters), and historical eras. Includes transcripts and video clip-making tools, enabling you to include video clips in your PowerPoint presentations. |
| American Decades |
For each decade from 1900 through 1999, provides essays covering politics, business, health and medicine, lifestyles, recreation, fashion, the arts, religion, etc. |
| Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History |
History of the American economy; includes people, events, industrial profiles, trends, definitions, etc. |
| Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure in America |
Leisure activities in America from Colonial time to the present: vast array of topics, from basketball to dating, from home brewing to home decoration, from pet care to theme parks |
| Social Trends and Indicators USA |
In-depth statistics and analyses for all social issues, including work & leisure, family, education, health & sickness,crime & justice, etc.; a monumental work |
| Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History |
Comprehensive resource for black history, people, and accomplishments |
| Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America |
Lengthy essays on specific minority & ethnic groups in the U.S., with emphasis on culture (religion, holidays, customs, language), as well as settlement patterns and historical background |
| West's Encyclopedia of American Law |
Comprehensive history and overview of American law: concepts, events, movements, cases, and persons |
| Encyclopedia of the American Constitution |
Comprehensive overview and history of the Constitution, with application to subsequent issues like hate crimes, race, adoption, gun rights, etc. |
| Major Acts of Congress |
Examines landmark pieces of legislation, explaining factors that led to their adoption and their impact on American life |
American History Through Literature, 1820-1870
American History Through Literature,1870-1920 |
Historical and cultural background relating to authors, topics, and literary works |
| Oxford Companion to American Military History |
Complete overview of military history from classical times to the present; entries on topics such as intelligence, propaganda, tactics, women in the military, etc., as well as famous battles and campaigns |
European History
Ancient Europe, 8000 B.C to A.D. 1000
Renaissance (1350-1620)
Europe, 1450 to 1789
Modern Europe, 1789-1914
Modern Europe, Since 1914 |
These encyclopedic sets provide in-depth and authoritative articles on all aspects of European history: people and events, as well as cultural, social, scientific, military, and economic developments |
| Encyclopedia of European Social History, 1350 to 2000 |
Sections on government, economy, family, marriage, child rearing, gender issues, religion, education, etc. |
| Oxford Companion to British History |
Covers all aspects of the history of Britain, from 55 BC to the present: people, events, politics, social issues, etc. |
World History
| Encyclopedia of Russian History |
Comprehensive set providing in-depth articles on Russia's people, politics, economics, religion, social systems, etc.; coverage from the earliest beginnings of the Russian nation to the fall of the Soviet Union |
| Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa |
Sections on each country, as well as discussions of topics like Colonialism, Imperialism, wars, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, etc. |
| Dynasties of the World |
Includes tables giving years of rule and family relationships for the reigning families of the world, from the first pharaohs of Egypt to the current king of Saudi Arabia |
| Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World |
Entries on ancient Greek and Roman life cover such topics as science, social structure, philosophy, recreation, etc. |
| Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization |
Covers all aspects of the Greek and Roman worlds: politics, morals, ethics, law, family life, technology, etc. |
Best Websites for History
These are directories that will link you to the most authoritative and reliable Internet sites; most of them will group sites by categories, simplifying your search process.
General and World History
American History
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