# The Historical Marker Database (HMdb.org) > HMdb.org is a free, crowdsourced database of historical markers, commemorative plaques, monuments and war memorials, mostly in the United States but significant numbers entries for markers in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France and also in some 110 other countries. It has more than 250,000 entries. Each entry is an illustrated page with the marker's full inscription, photographs, map location, directions, topics, series and related commentary. Correspondents submit entries and volunteer editors review them before publication. The database was launched in 2006. Every entry documents a physical marker: a sign, plaque or monument inscribed with a bit of history. It is not a database of historical sites; if there is no marker, there is no listing. The database is browsable by place, topic, series, and colloquial region, and searchable by keyword, and by some two dozen other ways. ## Individual entries - [Marker pages](https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=246): Every entry has a page at `https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m={marker number}`. The page includes the inscription, who erected the marker and when, its location and coordinates, photos, topics, series and links to nearby markers. The page optionally includes additional commentaries, external links to additional information relative to the marker's text, and information about the artifact itself. - [Random entry](https://randommarker.hmdb.org/): Shows a randomly chosen marker page. ## Finding markers - [Places](https://www.hmdb.org/geolists.asp): Browse by country, state or province, county, and city or town. - [Regions](https://www.hmdb.org/regions.asp): Local, national, global and historical regions. - [Topics](https://www.hmdb.org/categories.asp): Entries grouped by subject, such as wars, education, churches, railroads and notable people. A topic listing has the form `https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Topic&CategoryID={id}`. - [Series](https://www.hmdb.org/series.asp): Curated lists of markers that belong to the same program or set, such as a state's official marker program. - [Keyword search](https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Keyword&SearchFor=battle): Search entries with `https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Keyword&SearchFor={words}`. - [Near Me](https://www.hmdb.org/nearby.asp): Entries near the visitor's current location (uses the browser's location). - [Want lists](https://www.hmdb.org/wantedmarkers.asp): Markers known to exist that the database does not have yet. ## Smart Lists > Any and all ways of finding markers results in lists of marker entries, up to 100 per page. These lists can be sorted a dozen different ways. Like traditional online lists website pages such as Google or Bing results, you can click on any link in the list to open the corresponding marker entry page, then use your browser's back arrow to return to the list to click for another entry page. But because they are Smart Lists, you can also move from marker entry page to the next or the previous marker entry page without having to return to the list each time. ## Facts and statistics - [Counts and statistics](https://www.hmdb.org/stats.asp): Database totals and contributor leaderboards. - [State facts and figures](https://www.hmdb.org/facts.asp?s=Texas): Mechanically crafted narrative of marker counts and facts for a state or province in magazine article form, at `https://www.hmdb.org/facts.asp?s={name}`. - [Marker of the Week](https://www.hmdb.org/MoftheW.asp): Past featured entries. ## About the database - [About Us](https://www.hmdb.org/about.asp): Masthead/staff box/imprint, what qualifies as a historical marker, editorial policies and technical information. - [FAQ](https://www.hmdb.org/faq.asp): Frequently asked questions. - [Submission guidelines](https://www.hmdb.org/guidelines.asp): How entries should be written and photographed. - [Geographical names](https://www.hmdb.org/GeoNamesList.asp): Definitive list of place names used in the database. - [State marker numbering plans](https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=2): History of selected state marker programs and how they number their markers. - [Historical marker books and other websites](https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=10): Related references. ## Policies - [Copyright](https://www.hmdb.org/copyright.asp) - [Terms of Use](https://www.hmdb.org/terms.asp) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hmdb.org/privacypolicy.asp) ## Features and Services Available to Registered Users > Registration is free of charge. Minimal information is collected (see Privacy Policy). These features are enabled when users sign in. - [Tag Lists] Users can tag individual marker entries, creating lists of markers. Tag lists can be used to indicate favorite markers, markers that they've visited, markers that they want to visit, or lists on any subject they choose. Also useful to researchers. Tag lists can be optionally viewed as interactive pins on a map. - [Forum] Users can post notes at https://www.hmdb.org/forum.asp - [Add a marker](https://www.hmdb.org/markeraddfirst.asp): Contributors can submit new entries - [various links on marker entry pages] Other contributions are suggest edits to existing entries, and add photographs, external links, and commentary to existing entries. ## Other - [Forum](https://www.hmdb.org/forum.asp): Discussions about historical markers. - [Service-learning projects](https://www.hmdb.org/ServProj.asp): Opportunities for students. - [Sitemap](https://www.hmdb.org/sitemap.asp): XML sitemap index of the website.