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Why Does the New Year Start on January 1?

Ever wonder why the new year officially starts on January 1? Turns out, you can thank Pope Gregory XIII—and Julius Caesar.

Cooking kids was not a tradition (but sending strange cards was).

11 Unusual Victorian New Year's Traditions

For many Victorians, parties, dancing, and festive spirits were staples of New Year’s celebrations. Yet there were many other odd, quaint, and charming customs that for the most part are no longer with us.

Times Square New Year's Eve 2023 celebration.

A Brief History of Times Square’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

New Year’s Eve in Times Square is one of the most famous traditions in New York City. Learn how Manhattan's most colorful party came to be.

‘Red Nails’: The Violent Animated Conan Movie That Was Never Finished

A bloody take on the Conan legend was announced in 2005—and then all but vanished.

The cover of John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men.’

13 Things You Might Not Have Known About John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’

Here are a few things about this iconic piece of literature that might not have been covered in your high school English class.

Watch the Beauty and Chaos of the World’s Largest Snowball Fight

The event tried to set a Guinness World Record for epic snowball fights.

6 Strange “Alien” Languages Created by Linguists

Exolangs are constructed languages that imagine how the languages of extraterrestrial beings might look and sound—and linguists have come up with some pretty mind-bending options.

Yes, Cats Will Play Fetch, Too—But Only If They Feel Like It

Toss some crumpled paper and maybe, if you're lucky, the cat will consider going to get it. Maybe.

8 Sparkling Facts About Champagne

As midnight approaches on December 31, more than a few of us will pop open a bottle or two of champagne to help ring in the New Year. Here are a few nuggets you can share with fellow revelers.

Here’s how to stop those post-shower sweats.

The Reason You Sweat After a Shower—and How to Stop It

Breaking out in a sweat after you take a hot shower is normal, but there are steps you can take to prevent it.

Sploot 101: 13 Animal Slang Words Every Pet Parent Should Know

The internet has given us all kinds of delightful slang terms for what our cats and dogs do, from ‘blep’ and ‘bork’ to ‘smol’ and ‘sploot.’

Sorry, Web Scholars: Reading Print Is Better for Comprehension

A meta-analysis found a greatly reduced level of information retention when people got their data from screens instead of physical books.

Bessie Coleman, David Bowie, and Martin Luther King Jr. all have January birthdays.

10 Famous Birthdays to Celebrate in January

Some of our favorite figures from history, literature, music, pop culture, and more were born in the first month of the year. Do you share a birthday with one of these famous folks?

Let’s dive into the delicious history of the dumpling.

An International History of Dumplings

Dumplings are a delicious staple that transcends borders, but how did these doughy delights rise to international fame?

What 10 Classic Books Were Almost Called

Remember when your high school reading list included ‘Atticus,’ ‘Fiesta,’ and ‘The Last Man in Europe’? You will once you see what these books were renamed before they hit bookshelves.

A TSA agent examines a passenger for any remaining dignity.

You May Soon Be Able to Screen Yourself at Airports

New technology will soon allow travelers to pat themselves down at airport security checkpoints.

Some cars hold their value more than others.

The 25 Cars With the Best Resale Value

All cars lose value, but some models can lessen the trade-in pain.

Why Is the Space Needle Shaped Like That?

Seattle’s iconic Space Needle debuted at the 1962 World’s Fair—and was inspired by America's Space Race with the Soviet Union.

Your favorite toys from back in the day could help you rake in some serious dough.

6 of the Most Valuable Happy Meal Toys From McDonald’s

From the McFurby to Boo Buckets, some of the most iconic McDonald’s Happy Meal toys can also fetch a pretty penny these days.

Witness the Mesmerizing Process of Making Hard Candy

Lofty Pursuit's Wonka-inspired candies taste like corn, ham, and blueberry pie.

Tiny Chicken Learns To Walk By Wearing Boots | The Dodo

Nubz—a Tiny, Toeless Chicken—is Slaying the Internet With His Adorable Strut (and Shoes)

Nubz has stolen the collective heart of the internet with his zest for life—and strutting.

An Amish family gathers for a meal around their kitchen table.

8 Misconceptions About the Amish

You might not realize that the Amish sometimes drive in cars and operate power tools.

What did Scrooge mean when he said “Bah! Humbug!” anyway?

What Does “Bah, Humbug!” Actually Mean?

The meaning of ‘Bah, humbug!’ is a little more layered than what people normally attribute to Ebenezer Scrooge of ‘A Christmas Carol.’

December 25, 1066, was a big day for William the Conqueror.

25 Non-Christmas Things That Have Happened on December 25

Other momentous events have happened on December 25, like Washington crossing the Delaware and the birth of Jimmy Buffett.

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