Systems and methods for accessing historical data are provided. Based upon user interaction, a time period of interest and historical data, the systems and methods perform cross-correlation algorithms and interpret which items are to be accessed and displayed to the user via a user interface vis-a-vis a timeline portion and navigation region. Based on frequency and recency usage patterns, and/or user preferences, items are assigned relative weights and displayed accordingly in the timeline portion and navigation region of the user interface. Each item that can be displayed within the system has a unique identification, which may be translated to one or more visual symbols within the user interface. In various non-limiting embodiments, the system leverages a distributed database store which stores and indexes items that make up a digital history. When a request is made to the database, items, such as events, places, people and things, are automatically cross-referenced and correlations are drawn based on filtering criteria.