Dynamic Directory - November 24, 2025

The V-2 was developed by Hitler's team of rocket scientists, built by slave laborers and first used in September of 1944. The damage they caused, both physically and psychologically, was extensive by all measures.

Finding a climate to help him stay healthy, Robert Louis Stevenson and his family settled in Samoa in the South Pacific.

People have been exchanging Valentines for hundreds of years, but what do we know about the origins of this romantic Day of Love called "Valentine's Day?" Step back in time and take a look.

Vincent painted this self-portrait in September of 1888.

American leaders who declare war on Great Britain, in 1812, believe they are beginning a second war of independence.

French power increases as Napoleon's armies conquer much of Europe, then decreases after France's disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia.

Defeated in battle, Napoleon resigns, but he flees exile and comes back to continue the fight.

Napoleon escapes from Elba and, during "One Hundred Days," attempts a comeback. This June marks the 200th anniversary of Napleon's defeat at Waterloo.

Travel back in time to view plans and witness bloodshed in the Battle of Waterloo through annotated maps, drawings and paintings.

Learn about the Battle of Waterloo, which serves as the backdrop to "Vanity Fair."

Britain's "high society" is closed to all who are not born into the upper class.

Born into a lower class, Becky Sharp's goal is to live in "high society," so she tries to marry into it.

William Makepeace Thackeray illustrates his own book; see a sampling of those pictures.

In the 1600s, the East India Company becomes one of the most powerful businesses in the world.

Today's India and Great Britain bear little resemblance to the time of William Makepeace Thackeray; learn about some of these differences.

Thackeray's drawings, in his 1848 edition of Vanity Fair, tell us something about the way he views his characters (and Victorian society).

In The Girl Who Played with Fire, a murder occurs in the Vasastan District of Stockholm.

Vsterbotten is a county in northern Sweden, consisting of numerous municipalities. It plays a role in the writings of Stieg Larsson.

Vsterbotten, in summer - as this photo demonstrates - can be "as pretty as a postcard" (to quote Stieg Larsson, from "Dragon Tattoo").

Vatican Hill (known, in Latin, as Vaticanus Mons) is a Roman hill located on the opposite side of the Tiber River from the more commonly known "seven hills" of Rome.

In 1939, while reconstruction work was taking place inside St.

In 1939, while reconstruction work was taking place inside St. Peter's Basilica, an entire necropolis (city of the dead) was discovered and excavated.

This map depicts the areas of significant German defenses along the Omaha Beach front.

On September 24, 2015, NASA reveals new images of Veil Nebula, a stunning remnant of a massive star which exploded about 8,000 years ago. New images depict the work of Hubble, NASA's space telescope, revealing in stunning detail how Veil Nebula appears upon closer inspection.

This diagram depicts Henry F. Osborn's 1924 drawing of a Velociraptor mongoliensis' skull and claw.

After the war was over, and Robert Leckie returned from his tour of duty in the Pacific, he married Vera Keller.

Emotionally upset, and in the throes of depression, Verdi makes a decision. It is 1840, and he's had it with composing music. Then ... an unexpected encounter gives Verdi a second chance.

Victor Emmanuel II, King of Piedmont-Sardinia, and his Prime Minister, Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, build relationships to help them rid Italy of foreign dominance.

One of Princess Diana's favorite songs was beautifully performed at her funeral by Lynne Dawson.

Verdun is an example of winning a battle by attrition; the human losses are staggering.