Just wondering about something here. I currently write about historical events (at least most of the time) and all of it is my own work. Would it be legal though if I take a page from another site, basically copy it, but give the proper recognition of the source and also a link back to the source? If you say "no" - it isn't illegal - then please show some kind of proof - maybe a government link saying this is illegal. I see sites all the time that copy pages but link back to the source, at least giving them recognition. I just want to know if this is ok or not. Thank you.
No, it isn't legal. A link does not grant you any permission unless the owner makes that a part of their terms of use. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_infringement
In order to copy someone's work, you must have express written permission. Merely providing the source does not grant you the right or ability to copy someones original creative work. So no, what you want to do is not ok, unless you have the express written permission. If you would like a source, I'm thinking this ought to be pretty decent for you www.copyright.gov its the US Copyright Office. Take a look through there, it has any and all questions related to copyright infringement in it. As well as the actual law. If you would have googled you would have found that site on the first page