It's a long story — practically a Twenty-Four Histories of its own.
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The canonical dynastic histories from 《史记》 to 《明史》, covering roughly 3000 BC to the end of the Ming. The set was fixed at 24 during the Qianlong era (18th c.); modern editions often add 《新元史》 and 《清史稿》, making 25 or 26.
