CULTURE

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.

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.

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.

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?

The winter solstice marks the return of longer days.

25 Facts About the Winter Solstice, the Shortest Day of the Year

Whether you’re a fan of winter or wish it would go away, here are 25 things to note about the winter solstice, a.k.a. the shortest day of the year.

Your favorite anime lover will appreciate these fun items.

The 10 Best Gifts for Anime Lovers

These gifts for anime lovers are perfect for fans of ‘One Piece,’ ‘Naruto,’ and other classics.

Soviet Chanel: How “Red Moscow” Became the Most Popular Perfume in the USSR

Just a whiff of Krasnaya Moskva (Красная Москва, or “Red Moscow” in English) is enough to transport Russian citizens to the nostalgia of their childhoods.

Skeleton projected onto life-sized elephant model at ’The Secret World of Elephants’ exhibit.

Explore the Secret World of Elephants With the American Museum of Natural History’s New Exhibition

A new exhibit coming to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City examines elephants’ past, present, and future.

The face that launched a thousand memes.

Where Does the Word ’Meme’ Come From?

The word predates social media.

Explore the History of the Internet Through This Online Museum

From ARPANET to Myspace, this internet timeline hits all the important milestones.

When Dr. Ruth Doled Out ‘80s-Era Sex Advice

The therapist gave advice about masturbation and contraception at a time those subjects were still taboo.

Death is the start of a great adventure.

30 Astonishing Facts About Death

No, your fingernails don't keep growing after death. Here are 29 other amazing facts about your final exit.

These spots aren't for the faint of heart.

10 Haunting Dark Tourism Destinations From Around the World

From Auschwitz to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, these dark tourism destinations are fascinating—and definitely not for the faint of heart.

8 Misconceptions About Japan

Not all Japanese game shows feature life-threatening challenges, and not all ramen lovers slurp loudly. Let's debunk a few more misconceptions about Japan.

A hand-carved totem pole in Vancouver's Stanley Park.

8 Ways to Experience Indigenous Heritage in One Canadian Province

Indigenous-led tourism is driving a cultural revival in British Columbia. Here's how to experience the Canadian province's 10,000-year-old traditions.

Map showing etiquette practices from around the world.

The World's Most Peculiar Etiquette Practices, Mapped

Study this map of global etiquette rules before your next trip abroad.

Map showing the highest-rated books by local authors in each country.

The Highest-Rated Book in Each Country, Mapped

If you read to explore different worlds, this map of Goodreads' top book by a local author in each country is for you.

The first African American dictionary of its kind is due in 2025.

Scholars Have Released the First Words Chosen for The Oxford Dictionary of African American English

The years-in-the-making Oxford Dictionary of African American English will offer proper attribution to words and phrases that originated in Black culture.

TJ is pretty accomplished for a four-year-old.

‘Sesame Street’ Just Debuted Its First-Ever Filipino American Muppet

The first Filipino American Muppet on "Sesame Street" is a boy named TJ whose grandmother is helping him learn Tagalog.

Minutemen fought for America but probably sounded British.

When Did Americans Lose Their British Accents?

One big factor in the divergence of the accents is something called 'rhotacism.'

Students perform a dance during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

5 Facts About Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Each May for more than 40 years, America has paid tribute to the vast cultural contributions of its Asian and Pacific Islander citizens. Here are a few fascinating facts about how Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month came to be.

9 Facts About Arab American Heritage Month

Arab American Heritage Month, occurring each April, is a relatively new event on the yearly calendar—but the history of Arab immigrants in the U.S. goes way back.

See How People Reacted to 'Dungeons & Dragons' in the 1980s

With 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' hitting theaters, it's easy to forget the game's controversial past.

Agatha Christie's work is under fresh scrutiny.

Agatha, Edited: Mystery Author Agatha Christie’s Work Is Being Reworked to Remove Objectionable Content

Some passages from Agatha Christie’s library are being eliminated in an effort to address concerns over alleged xenophobia and racist descriptions.

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