HISTORY

Ice cream sandwiches come in many forms.

6 Things You Might Not Know About Ice Cream Sandwiches

It has been more than 120 years since the ice cream sandwich was first invented. In that time, it has evolved—and dozens of other countries have adopted the frozen treat to their own tastes.

Jen Pawol made her MLB debut this past weekend.

How Jen Pawol Became the First Female Umpire in MLB History

Pawol made history this weekend as the first woman behind home plate at a major league game. What took so long?

“Fat Man” was originally intended for a different Japanese city.

How the Japanese City of Kokura Narrowly Avoided Nagasaki’s A-Bomb

Kokura was the original target, but avoiding the atomic bomb may have been more than just random chance.

The Gadget (pictured above) was a major part of the Atomic Age timeline.

Quiz: It’s Almost Impossible to Put These Atomic Age Events in the Right Order

How well do you remember how history played out at the end of World War II?

Duck and Cover (1951) - Classic Cold War Safety Film

Classroom Cold War: When Students Were Trained to “Duck and Cover”

The nuclear anxiety of the 1950s led to two unlikely strategies: ducking under school desks and taking advice from a cartoon turtle.

The Origins of Jeppson’s Malört, Chicago’s Weirdest Liqueur

For some, drinking this wormwood-flavored Chicago liqueur is a badge of honor.

Bill Paxton, Tom Hanks, and Kevin Bacon star in ‘Apollo 13’ (1995).

13 Surprising Facts About ‘Apollo 13’

'Apollo 13'—the dramatization of the 1970 space program crisis that kept the world on its seat—was the third highest-grossing film of 1995, and remains one of the most faithful depictions of NASA operations ever put on film.

An illustration of the moments following the ‘Enola Gay’’s deployment of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

How 12 ‘Enola Gay’ Crew Members Remember Dropping the Atomic Bomb

After dropping the atomic bomb over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, almost all of the 12 men aboard the ‘Enola Gay’ had something to say about it.

11 Solid Facts About Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore draws millions of visitors every year. Here are some facts about the controversial monument.

The world changed forever when the U.S. detonated two atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945.

12 Facts About the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Eighty years after the first—and only—deployment of atomic bombs, here’s a look back at one of history’s most devastating acts of war.

Double doors don’t always mean a house is a duplex.

The Fascinating Reasons Why Some Old Houses Have Two Front Doors

You aren’t seeing double—some houses were intentionally built with this architectural quirk. We explain why.

Johannes Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’

15 Facts About Vermeer’s ‘Girl With A Pearl Earring’

Little is certain about the girl behind the mesmerizing gaze in Johannes Vermeer’s deceptively simple composition.

Can You Guess the Real 19th-Century Street Gang Name?

Do you think you know the gang names from back in the day? Their monikers might sound funny, but they definitely weren’t to be messed with.

Kick back with an old-timey ginger beer by the pool this summer.

9 Old-Timey Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat

These mocktails from decades past blend fresh fruit, citrus juices, and herbs for easy summertime refreshment.

10 Destructive Non-Water Floods Throughout History

A wave of butter, molasses, or chocolate barreling toward you may sound like a food-lover’s fantasy—but such incidents can actually be deadly.

Why Soft Serve Is Not Legally Ice Cream

The soft vanilla or chocolate swirl, popularized by Dairy Queen and other franchises, just doesn’t meet strict government guidelines for ice cream. But it’s still delicious.

7 Close Calls in the Nuclear Age

Sometimes the military systems put in place to avert nuclear annihilation worked a little too well.

11 of the Biggest Earthquakes in History

From a surprise temblor in the Mississippi Valley to colossal ruptures and tsunamis around the Pacific Ring of Fire, these are some of the biggest earthquakes in modern times.

Dorothy Thompson, Helen Gurley Brown, and Ida B. Wells.

11 Women Who Changed Journalism

From landmark reporters to modern media moguls, these women transformed journalism as we know it.

Did Einstein Really Say That?

The Nobel Prize-winning physicist often commented on science, the universe, and humanity. But which deep thoughts are really his?

The Golden Gate Bridge under construction.

When San Francisco Considered Putting a Roller Coaster on the Golden Gate Bridge

One man’s dream was a city planner’s nightmare.

A walkway winds through Missouri’s Onondaga Cave.

10 of America’s Most Spectacular Cave Trails

Whether you’re into stalactite symphonies, prehistoric shelters, or just love your trails dark and damp, these 10 U.S. underground wonders have you covered.

John Humphrey Noyes, head of the Oneida Community, and Charles Guiteau, presidential assassin.

The Bizarre Free Love Cult That Housed a Presidential Assassin

John Humphrey Noyes wanted to build a heaven on Earth—but for Charles Guiteau, life at the Oneida Community was a living hell.

Why Did Baby Viewing Windows Disappear From Hospitals?

Baby viewing windows were once a staple of hospital maternity wards across the country, but now they feel like a relic from a bygone era. Read on to learn about their history—and the real reasons why they vanished.