Wars & Conflicts

Explore the timeline of American wars and conflicts including the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.

Explore the timeline of American wars and conflicts from the American Revolutionary War to current global conflicts.

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day (April 9)

This day honors those veterans who have served their country while being held captive in enemy territory. The day also honors the family of the prisoners of war and their long and anxious wait to see their family again. Visit the collection.

Within this Collection

Wits Versus Numbers | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 3

Audio

In this segment, Walter Edgar and Dr. Symonds discuss some of the technological innovations the Confederacy used to try and combat the blockade. Some of these innovations include use of mines...

The C.S.S. Hunley | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 6

Audio

Dr. Symonds addresses the importance of the C.S.S. Hunley: History’s first operational submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat, the U.S.S. Housatonic.

Conversations On The Civil War - 1864: The War At Sea (Full Version)

Episode 7

Audio

Dr. Craig L. Symonds is a retired professor of history at the United States Naval Academy and the author of The Civil War at Sea (Oxford University Press, New York, 2012) ) and numerous other books...

Battle At Champion's Hill | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 3

Audio

In this segment, Winston Groom talks about how Grant’s forces had to “live off the land,” since their supplies were taken months before. General Grant takes his forces to Jackson, Mississippi, where...

The Early Days Of Vicksburg | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 1

Audio

In the first segment on the Vicksburg campaign, Winston Groom sets the stage on events leading up to this crucial battle. He explains why Vicksburg is valuable to the Confederacy, and why the Union...

Grant's Conduct During The Civil War | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 5

Audio

In this segment, Winston Groom analyzes Grant’s mindset during the Civil War, and then briefly compares Grant to the other Union generals cycled through the Civil War..

The Siege Of Vicksburg | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 4

Audio

Winston Groom details the lives of both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Siege of Vicksburg. Groom then discusses remedies soldiers on both sides used to combat starvation. Starvation ended...

Conversations On The Civil War - 1863: Vicksburg (Full Version)

Episode 7

Audio

Winston Groom, novelist and author of Forrest Gump, has also written a number of well received histories, including Vicksburg, 1863. This narrative history of the Civil War’s most strategically...

Grant's Misfortunes | Walter Edgar's Journal

Episode 2

Audio

Winston Groom discusses the mishaps General Ulysses S. Grant and his amphibious force faced with their attempts to take Vicksburg. Grant applied trial and error with different methods of trying to...