HISTORY

Watch Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “The Other America” Speech

The MLK quote “a riot is the language of the unheard” came from his 1967 speech on the two Americas.

Richard Nixon opted to peace out of his successor’s swearing in ceremony.

6 Presidents Who Didn’t Attend Their Successor’s Inauguration

While skipping the incoming president’s inauguration is a break from tradition, it isn’t unprecedented.

Nothing could convince Sober Sue to crack a smile.

The Strange Saga of Sober Sue, Who Made a Career Out of Refusing to Laugh

In the early 20th century, one woman challenged professional comics, clowns, and performers to try and make her laugh. None could.

Judy Garland’s stand-in for ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is still alive today.

Meet Caren Marsh Doll, the Oldest Living Cast Member of ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Caren Marsh Doll was Judy Garland’s stand-in for ‘The Wizard of Oz’. At age 105, she’s one of the last living actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Artifacts at the ‘Titanic’ wreck may never see the light of day.

‘Titanic’ Salvage Missions Placed on Indefinite Hold Thanks to Legal Issues

A blend of bureaucracy and saltwater is conspiring to keep any of the ship’s remaining secrets from being brought to the surface.

The 5500-year-old trepanned skull of a woman now displayed in a Swiss museum.

A Brief History of Trepanation, One of the World’s Oldest Surgeries

The practice of drilling or scraping a hole into the skull’s cranial vault has been performed for thousands of years.

Martin Luther King at the March on Washington.

12 Historic Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr., the Atlanta native who became one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement, helped unite a divided nation.

Swearing the presidential Oath of Office on a Bible is traditional, but not required.

Has Every U.S. President Been Sworn in on a Bible?

The U.S. Constitution requires every president-elect to swear the Oath of Office—and that’s about it.

A famous fresco in Pompeii’s Villa of the Mysteries.

14 Incredible Facts about Pompeii, the Roman City Frozen in Time

In 79 CE, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 20 feet of ash, preserving amazing details about daily life in the Roman Empire.

‘Guess Who?’ has been a hit for over 40 years.

The Surprising Origins of the ‘Guess Who?’ Game

The game of familiar faces has surprising connections to Anne Frank and fidget toys.

A mob outside the White House during Andrew Jackson's first inaugural reception, 1828.

7 U.S. Inauguration Day Mishaps

The inauguration of a new U.S. President is a day of pomp and ceremony, of solemn oaths and dignified celebrations. But things don’t always go as planned.

A man checking out Caspar David Friedrich’s ‘The Sea of Ice.’

9 Winter Paintings Inspired by Real Events

From post-battle landscapes to cold weather fun, the events that occurred during frosty temperatures have led many an artist to pick up their brush and get painting.

The Controversial Television Special That Took Audiences Back to ‘Titanic’

‘Return to the Titanic: Live!’ cracked open a safe from the ship on live TV—and though the special was a ratings success, it faced plenty of criticism. ‘The Washington Post’ even declared that it “added little to the ‘Titanic’ story.”

Whistleblowers often put themselves at risk to expose the truth.

10 Whistleblowers Who Changed History

From Founding Fathers to Roman senators, these 10 whistleblowers helped shape history through their unparalleled acts of bravery.

Can You Put the First 25 Elements of the Periodic Table in Order?

Here’s hoping you paid attention in science class.

The Stillson wrench revolutionized plumbing.

Why Do We Call It a “Stillson Wrench”?

The imposing pipe wrench with teeth was once made out of wood.

The Inuit settlement of Kulusuq in Greenland.

11 Fresh Facts About Greenland

Greenland lies north and south of the Arctic Circle and about 500 miles from the North Pole—a position that makes it a key part of global defense strategy. Read on for amazing facts about this icy island.

Earth has played host to an untold number of human-made borders over the years.

Explore the History of Any Place on Earth With This Interactive Map

What was going on around the globe in 4000 BCE? This map shows you.

The Bizarre Story of Britain’s Last Great Auk

Was the animal a bird, or a witch?

11 Surprising Movies Jimmy Carter Watched While He Was President

From ‘Midnight Cowboy’ to ‘The Cat from Outer Space,’ the former POTUS was an eclectic cinephile.

The spectacular Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru.

13 Amazing Facts About Machu Picchu

The Inca stronghold of Machu Picchu has astounded and confounded visitors since it was unveiled to the wider world more than 100 years ago by an ambitious Yale professor.

8 Royals Who Renounced Their Titles

King Edward VIII is far from the only monarch to reject their rule.

The 1958 Assassination Attempt That Left Martin Luther King Jr. a Single Sneeze Away From Death

With a letter opener protruding from his chest, Martin Luther King Jr. reassured everyone that everything was ok. One sneeze later, it would not have been.

Megalosaurus was an apex predator in Jurassic Britain.

‘Dinosaur Highway’ of 200 Footprints Uncovered in England

Dinosaurs roamed the UK millions of years ago, as evidenced by fossilized tracks recently uncovered in Oxfordshire.