History Magazines PDF

All About History

2014-2021

All about History Books

UK: Future Publishing

Articles on topics that range the world and seem to range in time from ancient to modern. The collection includes a number of special issues based on a single theme; i.e. the Renaissance, Great Explorers, History of NASA, World War I, and more. The “All about History Books link leads to 23 special topics; about 160 pages each.

Ancient Origins

2018-2021

Dublin: Stella Novus Ltd

Popular Ancient history mag, with archaeology, ancient mysteries.

Archaeology – 1948- 1961 (B&W)

NY: Archaeological Institute of America

A quarterly periodical on archaeology for the public.

BBC History Magazine Books

2015-2021

UK: Immediate Media

Each issue covers a different historical subject, using a magazine format and plenty of illustrations.

The British Empire

Issues 1-99

Netherlands: Time-Life Books

The history of the British Empire in detailed, well-illustrated articles.

Christian History 1983- Present

U.S.: Christian History Institute

Magazine on the history of Christianity.

The Fortnightly Review

Vol 1 (1865) – Vol 118 (1922)

London: Chapman and Hall

The Fortnightly Review was one of the most prominent and influential magazines in nineteenth-century England. It was founded in 1865 by Anthony Trollope, Frederic Harrison, and others.

History Revealed

2014-2021

UK: Immediate Media

Articles on all kinds of history stories, including fairly recent topics that don’t usually make it into history books.

National Geographic History

2015-2022

Washington, DC:

The usual NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC format, with lively articles and plenty of great photos, but this magazine is all about history.

The Nineteenth Century

Vol 1 (1877) – Vol 48 (1900)

London: Henry S. King & Co.

The Nineteenth Century Magazine was a British monthly literary magazine founded in 1877. Many of the early contributors to The Nineteenth Century were members of the Metaphysical Society. The journal was intended to publish debate by leading intellectuals.
In 1901 the title was changed to ‘The Nineteenth Century and After’ (below), and was again changed in 1951 to The ‘Twentieth Century’. The magazine continued until 1972.

The Nineteenth Century and After

1921-1927

London: Henry S. King & Co.

Originally known at ‘The Nineteenth Century’, this British magazine was renamed ‘The Nineteenth Century and After’ in the 1901 issue. Free old magazines from 1900s.

The Spectator

The Spectator Website

1828-1927 at Internet Archive (Black & White)

London, UK

The oldest weekly magazine in the world, founded in 1828 by Scottish reformer Robert Stephen Rintoul. It still exists.

Trends Journal

Trends Journal Website

2001-2023

Gerald Celente

“History Before It Happens”.

Twentieth Century

1877-1972 at Internet Archive (Black & White

London, UK

Founded as ‘The Nineteenth Century’ by James Knowles in 1877 as a monthly literary magazine for debate and discussion among leading intellectuals in Britain. In 1901 the title was changed to ‘The Nineteenth Century and After’, and changed to ‘The Twentieth Century’ in 1951.

19th Century

2011-2017

Philadelphia: Victorian Society in America

Seems to be mainly about architecture and the arts in American history.

Adventures in Western New York History

2002

New York: Buffalo Historical Society

More like a set of booklets than a magazine. Each issue has one long article on a different topic.

American Heritage

American Heritage Magazine Website

1949- Present

American Heritage 40-Year Cumulative Index 1954-1994

U.S.: American Heritage

Dedicated to covering the history of the United States of America for a mainstream readership. Print publication was suspended early in 2013, but the magazine relaunched in digital format with the Summer 2017 issue.
American Heritage magazine has a free archive of all its issues at its website, including the current issue.

American History 1988-1997

U.S.: Cowles Enthusiast Media

Popular magazine about U.S. history topics.

American Spirit

2015-2024

Washington DC: National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Patriotic popular historical magazine online about the U.S.

Classic Trains

2013-2022

Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach

American Railroad history articles.

Magazine of American History

1877- 1893

Index 1877-1893

1902-1904, 1910-1916

Boston

The Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries was established as a monthly in 1877 by non-academic historians. It ceased publication in 1893. In 1901 the magazine was re-started as simply The Magazine of American History, and lasted through 1917.

North and South Magazine

1997-2013

New York: Oehler Media

The official magazine of the Civil War Society.

Woman’s Journal and Suffrage News

1870-1916 (B&W)

Boston, Massachusetts: Stone & Blackwell

Woman’s Journal was an American women’s rights periodical published from 1870 to 1931. It was founded in 1870 in Boston, Massachusetts, by Lucy Stone and her husband as a weekly newspaper. In 1910 it absorbed ‘Progress’, the official organ of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), and changed the magazine’s name in 1912 to ‘Woman’s Journal and Suffrage News’. It again changed its name in 1917, and ceased publication in 1931.

After the Battle

1973-2005

London: Battle of Britain International

Each issue appears to cover a different WW2 battle or campaign.

America in WWII

2015-2016

Pennsylvania: 310 Publishing

“The War, the home front, the people.” Popular history of World War II magazine, from an American point of view.

History of War

2014-2021

UK: Immediate Media

Articles on various aspects of war, covering a wide latitude of time and geography.

Illustrated War News

1916-1918

London, UK: Illustrated London News and Sketch

A weekly British magazine covering World War I, and consisting largely of photos from the front.

Military Illustrated Past & Present

1986-1998

UK: Military Illustrated

Wide variety of in-depth articles of popular interest and by respected military historians.

Stars and Stripes Newspaper

Issues 1943-1945

U.S. Armed Forces

The Stars and Stripes is a newspaper produced by the U.S. Armed Forces for its personnel. Issues in this set were published on the Africa front (1943) and then on the Mediterranean front (1943-1945) during World War II. The newspaper covered both war and non-war news.

The War Illustrated Magazine

1914-1918; 1939-1947

UK: William Berry

The War Illustrated was a British war magazine published in London. It was first released in August 1914, and regular issues continued throughout the First World War. The magazine was discontinued after the 8 February 1919 issue, but returned September 1939 following the start of the Second World War. It ceased production in 1947.

World War 2 Magazine

1986-1991

Virginia: Empire Press

Many articles and photos about a wide variety of topics.

Yank: The Army Weekly

Jan 1945 – Nov 1945

NY: U.S. War Department

Yank was a weekly magazine published by the U.S. Army during World War II, primarily for soldiers. It contained news, humor, letters to the editor, stories about army units or dramatic incidents, and lots of photos.

China Pictorial

1951-77

Beijing: China Pictorial

A patriotic magazine, presumably sponsored by the Communist government. Many photos, and articles too.

China Reconstructs

1952-1982

Beijing: China Welfare Institute

“The purpose of China Reconstructs is to present the work and achievements of the Chinese people to people abroad. It will concentrate on reporting reconstruction and new construction in our country and the changes that have come into the lives of our citizens.” A Chinese government publication.

Department of State Bulletin

1939-1989

U.S. Department of State Dispatch 1990-1999

Washington D.C.: U.S. Government

The Bulletin was the official record of U.S. foreign policy. It was established to provide Congress, other agencies, and the public information about U.S. foreign policy and the work of the Department of State and the Foreign Service. Publication was discontinued in 1989.

Harper’s Weekly: A Journal of Civilization

1859-1916

New York: Harper’s Magazine Co.

An American political magazine based in New York City. Published by Harper & Brothers from 1857 until 1916, it featured foreign and domestic news, fiction, essays on many subjects, and humor, alongside illustrations. It carried extensive coverage of the American Civil War. The publisher also produced a monthly magazine.

The Independent

1898 – 1923

New York

Originally a religious weekly and then a weekly devoted principally to discussions of current events and tendencies. It was used in many high schools in the study of literature, history and civics.

McClure’s Magazine

1893 – 1927

New York

McClure’s magazine (1893-1929) is credited with having started the tradition of muckraking journalism (investigative, watchdog or reform journalism), and helped shape the moral compass of the day. The magazine featured both political and literary content, publishing serialized novels-in-progress, a chapter at a time. In this way, McClure’s published such writers as Willa Cather, Arthur Conan Doyle, Herminie T. Kavanagh, Rudyard Kipling, Jack London, Lincoln Steffens, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Mark Twain.

Niles’ Weekly Register

1811 – 1849

Baltimore, MD

Containing political, historical, geographical, scientific, statistical, economical, and biographical documents, essays and facts; together with notices of the arts and manufactures, and a record of the events of the times. … in the first half of the 19th century, the Register was as well-known as the New York Times and Washington Post are known today. From 1811 to 1849, it was the principal window through which many Americans looked out on their country and the world.

The Outlook Magazine

1893-1927

New York

It was one of the best-known weeklies dealing with current events. Contains discussions of and editorial comments on social and political matters with one or more lengthy literary articles.

Rhodesiana

1969-1979

Rhodesia: The Rhodesiana Society

Good history magazine about Rhodesia.

Soviet Life

1969-1984 (3 Issues)

Moscow

Published by reciprocal agreement between the governments of the United States and the Soviet Union. Categories of articles are: Soviet People, Economy and Science, Literature and the Arts, Social Problems, International Contacts, Recreation and Sports, Miscellaneous.

Sovietland

1938-1939

Moscow: United Magazines and Newspapers

A patriotic magazine portraying Soviet life in a Life magazine format, with lots of photos.

Sputnik Monthly Digest

1968-71

Daily Mirror Newspapers Ltd and Novosti Press Agency

A broad selection of articles on culture and many other topics, mostly from Soviet newspapers and magazines, for a western audience to familiarize with life in the Soviet Union.

Survey

1901-1927

New York

Discusses all movements, public and private, whose purpose is social improvement. Formerly called Charities Review and Charities and the Commons.

The World’s Work

1900-1927

1900-1932 (B&W)

New York

Discusses all kinds of current events and current tendencies in articles by recognized authorities and in well written editorial comments.

The American Neptune

1941-2002

Massachusetts: American Neptune Inc.

A Quarterly Journal of maritime history. An academic journal that featured original articles aimed at scholars, professionals and enthusiasts.

American Historical Review

1895-1938

New York

The official publication of the American Historical Association (AHA). The AHA was founded in 1884 and chartered by Congress in 1889 to serve the interests of the entire discipline of history. One of the few journals in the world that brings together scholarship from every major field of historical study.

Black History Bulletin 1937-1961

U.S.: Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)

An active peer-reviewed scholarly periodical currently published biannually by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Launched in 1937, it briefly paused publication in 1987 before resuming in 1993, and is dedicated to enhancing the teaching and learning of Black history. Each issue features original articles covering all aspects of Black history, including African Americans in U.S. history, the African Diaspora generally, and the peoples of Africa, along with papers that explore current education issues and/or trends or crucial education policy issues related to social studies education. It also contains lesson plans and pullouts, ranging from teacher “how-to” to biographical and/or informational pieces about African Americans for students to read.

Civil War History 1955-1961

U.S.: Kent State University Press

An active peer-reviewed academic journal published quarterly by Kent State University Press. Launched in 1955, it publishes research on all aspects of the American Civil War. Each issue features original articles covering the entire scope of the American Civil War era, including the ramifications of warfare on society. Published papers explore a range of topics, such as slavery and abolition, antebellum and Reconstruction politics, diplomacy, social and cultural developments, and military history. It also contains reviews of new literature relevant to the field.

English Historical Review 1886-1961

UK: Longman

A bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal that was established in 1886 and published by Oxford University Press (formerly by Longman). It publishes articles on all aspects of history – British, European, and world history – since the classical era. It is the oldest surviving English language academic journal in the discipline of history.

The Historian 1938-1961

U.S.: Taylor & Francis

The Historian is an active peer-reviewed scholarly journal published quarterly by Taylor & Francis on behalf of the national history honor society, Phi Alpha Theta. Launched in 1938, it publishes research on all regional, temporal, and thematic fields of history. Each issue features original articles and review papers covering any period, region, and topic in all areas of historical scholarship.

History 1912-1961

UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd

History is an active peer-reviewed academic journal covering information about social, political, cultural, economic and ecclesiastical historians. It was established in 1912 and is published quarterly on behalf of The Historical Association. The journal focuses on the study of history from a wide range of perspectives and methodologies, publishing original research articles, literature reviews, and critical analyses that contribute to the understanding and interpretation of historical events, processes, and themes. The scope of the journal covers various areas of historical inquiry, including political history, social history, cultural history, economic history, and intellectual history.

Journal of African American History 1916- Present

U.S.: University of Chicago

A quarterly academic journal covering African-American life and history. Until 2001 it was called “The Journal of Negro History”. On the archives page, use the link for the second title to access issues before 2001.

Journal of Asian Studies 1941-1961

UK: Cambridge University Press

An active peer-reviewed scholarly journal published quarterly on behalf of the Association for Asian Studies. Launched in 1941 as The Far Eastern Quarterly, it acquired its current name in 1956 and publishes empirical and multidisciplinary research on Asia. Each issue features original articles concerning the history, arts, social sciences, philosophy, and contemporary issues of Northeast, Inner, South, and Southeast Asia. It also contains reviews of new literature relevant to the field.

Journal of Economic History 1941-1961

UK: Cambridge University Press

The Journal of Economic History is an active peer-reviewed scholarly journal published quarterly by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association (EHA). Launched in 1941, it is devoted to the study of economic phenomena in historical contexts.

Journal of Modern History 1929-1952

U.S.: University of Chicago Press

The Journal of Modern History (JMH) is an active peer-reviewed scholarly journal published quarterly. Launched in 1929, it publishes research on all aspects of modern European history from approximately 1500 to the present. Each issue features original articles focused on European intellectual, political, and cultural history, with a geographical scope extending from Great Britain through the European continent, including Russia and the Balkans.

Journal of Near Eastern Studies – 1942-1952 (B&W)

Univ. of Chicago Press

An academic journal covering research on the ancient and medieval civilizations of the Near East, including archaeology, art, history, literature, linguistics, religion, law and science. It also has book reviews.

Journal of Southern History 1935-1961

U.S.: Southern Historical Association

An active peer-reviewed scholarly journal published quarterly by the Southern Historical Association (SHA). Launched in 1935, it publishes research on the history of the American South, broadly conceived.

Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine

1868-1916

Philadelphia

Lippincott’s began life in 1868 as ‘Lippincott’s Magazine of Literature, Science, and Education’. It moved to New York in 1915 and was renamed McBride’s. A year later it disappeared, absorbed into Scribner’s Magazine (also found on this Web page).

North American Review

1815-1927

1815 to 1939

Boston

One of America’s leading literary journals of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Early contributors included William Cullen Bryant, Daniel Webster, John Adams, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Francis Parkman. Two of the Review‘s best-known editors, in the 1860s and 1870s, were James Russell Lowell and Henry Adams. In the late 1870s, under new ownership, the Review was transformed into a national periodical noted “for its critical influence and outstanding writing concerning social and political issues”. Contributors then included William Gladstone, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Mark Twain and H.G. Wells.

Prologue

1982-2017

Washington, DC: U.S. National Archives & Records Administration

Prologue magazine brings readers stories based on the rich holdings and programs of the National Archives across the nation—from Washington, DC, to the regional archives and the Presidential libraries. Prologue was published quarterly by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for nearly 50 years. The Winter 2017–18 issue was the last printed edition.

HistoryNet

HistoryNet Magazine Website

Archives

Arlington, VA: HistoryNet

HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 5,000 articles originally published in the publisher’s various history magazines.
To access previous articles, click the “hamburger” menu icon on the top left, and find articles in the categories provided there.

Websites of Archaeology Magazines

Free online versions of these archaeology magazines are, in most cases, not available, but their websites feature articles of interest.

Archaeology

The Archaeological Conservancy

Current Archaeology

The Past

World Archaeology

Historical Archaeology

American Archaeology

Egyptian Archaeology

Doug’s Archaeology: List of Archaeology Journals

Websites of History Magazines

Free online versions of these historical magazines are not available, but their websites feature articles of interest.

Aviation History

America’s Civil War

British Heritage Travel

Canada’s History

Civil War Monitor

Civil War Times

Military History

Military History Matters

Navy History Magazine

Vietnam (the war)

Library Research Guide (LibGuide) – Canadian History

This research guide from the librarians at Bowling Green State University has a collection of links to websites related to the history of Canada.

Library Research Guide (LibGuide) – Internet Sites with Primary Sources for U.S. History

This research guide from the librarians at Bowling Green State University has links to websites with substantial collections of online primary sources for U.S. history.

Articles about U.S. History before 1800

A collection of links here at Century Past to articles in magazines and newspapers related to early American History.

Articles about U.S. History in the 19th Century

A collection of links here at Century Past to articles in magazines and newspapers related to American History in the 1800s.

Articles about African American History

A collection of links here at Century Past to articles in magazines and newspapers related to African American History.

Ancient History Articles

Collected links here at Century Past to articles on topics in Ancient History, found in leading magazines and newspapers.

Archaeology Articles

Collected links here at Century Past to articles on topics in Archaeology, found in leading magazines and newspapers.

Historic Photos from Around the World

Collected links here at Century Past to selected photography collections from the late 1800s & early 1900s in countries around the world.