GOVERNMENT

2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin had a concession speech written up for election night—but wasn’t allowed to deliver it.

12 Historical Speeches Nobody Ever Heard

For every speech, there are a bunch of versions that ended up on the writers' room floor. Here are 12 speeches that were written but, for a variety of reasons, never delivered.

It was about modernization—and also politics.

Why the Letters Q, W, and X Were Once Illegal in Türkiye

Sometimes the letter of the law has tough things to say about, well, letters.

There‘s a FasTrak toll scam running rampant.

What to Know About the New FasTrak Scam Targeting Drivers

Received a text about unpaid tolls? You may be the target of a new phishing scam.

Scotland Has “No Intention” of Banning Cats, First Minister Confirms

The Scottish government won’t be rounding up people’s pets any time soon.

We can confirm this suit is pretty ugly.

Where Did the Phrase ‘Neither Confirm Nor Deny’ Come From?

We cannot confirm nor deny we have an explanation.

Need an iPhone With TikTok Access? They’re Being Listed for Thousands on eBay

Those with TikTok withdrawal can get their fix. For a price.

15 Impressive Facts About the Panama Canal

Often called one of the seven modern wonders of the world, the Panama Canal splits the continents of North and South America and launched a new era in global commerce when it opened in 1914.

The National Archives Is Looking for Volunteers With a “Superpower”: Reading Cursive

The agency needs help deciphering the flowing penmanship of the past.

Why Is It Called a “Manila” Envelope?

There’s a surprising connection between the capital of the Philippines and mailing important documents.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

11 Common Words With Very Specific Meanings on Food Labels in the U.S.

Sometimes regular English words—words that have commonsense but slightly fuzzy meanings—must be defined more precisely for food labeling.

8 Royals Who Renounced Their Titles

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

14 Gifts That Changed the World

These gifts made a huge impact.

Let’s investigate the high-stakes world of Social Security trivia.

Was the First-Ever Social Security Number Really 001-01-0001?

In 1936, someone got bragging rights to having the lowest possible Social Security Number—but only after several others turned it down.

It comes down to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Reindeer Rule: Why You’ll See Rudolph in Public Christmas Displays

The Supreme Court ruled that government entities can’t display nativity scenes on public property without including symbols of other faiths, but that hasn’t stopped some towns from trying.

Most of the time, though, it'll cost you.

The Easiest Places To Buy Citizenship Around the World

Looking to buy your way into citizenship? Discover the differences between golden visas and CIPs, plus which countries are easiest to get into right now.

Learn Amazing Facts About the U.S. Constitution With A.J. Jacobs

Author A.J. Jacobs spent a year living like a Founding Father to better understand the U.S. Constitution. Here’s what he learned.

For a time, people couldn’t make up their minds.

The Debate Behind How to Number a President

Grover Cleveland caused quite the conundrum when he was elected for the second time in 1892 after a four-year break from the Oval Office.

The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest did not go well for the Romans.

8 Places the Romans Failed to Conquer

Ireland and Scotland are not the only places the mighty Roman Empire failed to vanquish.