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Doris Miller was stationed on the USS ‘West Virginia’ when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Despite being prohibited from gunnery training due to his race, he ended up saving an untold number of lives.

Breaking down the truth behind common Mount Everest beliefs.
Lorna Wallace|
Were the 1970s a low-tech era? And did everyone actually hate disco?
Shayna Murphy|
Whether it’s a fun, festive tradition or an extremely annoying event to avoid is up for debate.
Paul Anthony Jones|

Government and Politics

Do members of congress get paid during government shutdowns? And do they get free health insurance? Let’s get to the bottom of some common myths.
Ellen Gutoskey|
On November 5, people across Great Britain celebrate Guy Fawkes Night with bonfires and fireworks. But who was Guy Fawkes and why does he have a celebration named after him?
Claire Cock-Starkey|
From tragic factory fires to toxic food scandals, some safety laws we may take for granted today actually have some pretty unsettling backstories.
Colin Scanlon|
The WPA helped everyone from Jackson Pollock to Louise Nevelson.
Ellen Gutoskey|
These odd architectural features are remnants of a time when people had to pay if they wanted to look outside.
Tim Brinkhof|
The CIA's encrypted art sculpture has puzzled cryptographers for decades. The man with the answers is finally ready to clue them in.
Jake Rossen|
Fears of nuclear war led to a fleeting craze for fallout shelters stocked with crackers, body bags, and guns.
Jake Rossen|
Tens of thousands of fallout shelter signs, with three yellow triangles in a black circle, are visible on building façades today. They serve as grim reminders of the hottest flashes of the Cold War. So why are they still around?
Tim Brinkhof|

Presidents

The White House took a special liking to the animal.
Jenny Cohen|
Jefferson’s tale of an encounter with a stranger sparked a saying that became pretty popular in the 19th century.
Paul Anthony Jones|
This quiz challenges you to name all the U.S. presidents as fast as possible.
Ellen Gutoskey|

War

The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the end of World War I, which occurred at the 11th hour of 11th day of the 11th month.

Mystery

What really goes on in the Bermuda Triangle? Is it as mysterious and dangerous as we’re meant to believe? And could ocean farts be behind it all?
Jake Rossen|
The latest ‘Knives Out’ film is now playing in select theaters. Here are the five mystery books that clearly inspired writer-director Rian Johnson.
Michael Boyle|
Try to not finish these 15 short, fast-paced books in one weekend.
Sam Hindman|
The fates of these sailors and ships remain lost to history.
Kat Long|

Misconceptions

Aging might seem scary, but you probably don’t have all of the facts.
Jake Rossen|
There are a lot of misconceptions about the Arctic, from the whole concept of the North Pole, to the number of penguins who live there.
Kat Long|
How accurate are Jane Austen novels in representing the actual Regency Era? Not very, as it turns out.
Kat Long|
Do you have to wear black to a funeral? Does a procession always end at a cemetery? We answer all of the burning questions you might have never thought to ask about funerals.
Jake Rossen|
Think you know everything about famous cities like London, New York, and Paris? Think again.
Michele Debczak|

Royalty

Even if you’re not a noble, earning one of their titles doesn’t always require a royal wedding.
Lucas Reilly|
You’ll be happy these folks aren’t your relatives.
Shayna Murphy|
Royals from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana have left their mark on the world of fashion.
Colin Scanlon|

Civil Rights

William Shatner’s lip lock with Nichelle Nichols wasn't TV’s first interracial kiss, but it might have been the most controversial.
hourglass in yellow

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