Historical Topics

Historical ideas come from events that have happened in the past.   Check other Research Guides on Historical Documents, World History, U.S History, or Long Beach and Local History for ideas.  People are also a intricate part of history, so check People topics. Ideas concerning California history can also be found in Los Angeles and California history.

• To choose an event in history look at various timelines of historical events like the:
  • Internet History Sourcebook Project;
  • AlternaTime;
  • World History: HyperHistory Timeline.
  • Intute Timeline: arranged by subject or event.
• Use a history web site:
  • Public History Resource Center at the University of Maryland. They include review of web sites dealing with Public History.
  • History and the Internet: A Guide by McGraw Hill. This site is based on history textbooks and provides a nice collection of history based sites.
  • Eternal Egypt is a multimedia presentation by the Egyptian Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage. The site includes cultural highlights, maps, timelines and museums of information.
  • Civil Rights in Mississippi Digital Archives. This site provides oral and primary documents on the events that occurred in Mississippi during the Freedom Summer of 1964. 
  • Vietnam Project. This site provides oral and primary documents on American involvement in Vietnam. There is a Teacher's Resource Web to help with lesson plans and assignments.
  • DigitalHistory: Using New Technologies to Enhance Teaching and Research. This site provides primary documents, historical newspaper articles, images, music clips, timelines and lesson plans.
• Check encyclopedias or books:
  • The Propaedia volume of the New Encyclopaedia Britannica in the Reference area of the University Library. Start on page 13 there is a nice world historical timetable.
  • Research Guide volume of the World Book Encyclopedia in the Reference area of the University Library. 
  • Berkshire Encyclopedia of World History is 5-volume set that provides ideas to start and sources to use.
  • Try the Oxford Reference Online, there are timelines, encyclopedia on particular historical events and military history.
  • Check out this series of book on 20th Century American History, Defining Moments.

With so many option it would be difficult to list them here.   Talking with a Librarian or your Professor sometimes helps bring this type of topic into focus.

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This page was created by
Kelly Janousek, Librarian
California State University, Long Beach
Created October 31, 2000