GOVERNMENT

It's unclear if this sign in California breaks the new rules.

Highway Signs Can No Longer Be Fun, Says Government

The Federal Highway Administration thinks funny highway signs defeat the purpose of the sign.

Virginia Woolf, Charlie Chaplin, and Ludwig van Beethoven could be considered nepo babies.

18 Nepo Babies From History

Plenty of nepo babies have earned their places in history. But it’s always good to acknowledge the doors open to people who have rich relatives—or whose dad knows the manager of a clogging troupe.

Martin Van Buren’s nickname wasn’t a compliment.

30 Unusual Presidential Nicknames—And How They Were Acquired

From the obscure (“American Fabius") to the sports-related (“Barry O'Bomber”), here are just a few of the most colorful presidential nicknames.

10 Lesser-Known Royal Love Stories

If you’ve heard enough about King Henry VIII’s many wives or the turbulent relationship between Princess Diana and King Charles III, consider these 10 lesser known royal love stories.

A photo of a woman resembling Patty Hearst, with a weapon in hand, from the robbery of a bank by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army.

9 Infamous Kidnappings From History

On February 4, 1974, publishing heiress Patty Hearst was taken from her Berkeley, California, apartment—but Hearst is far from the only abduction case to have captured public attention.

Portrait of Alexander Hamilton by Thomas Hamilton Crawford.

11 Surprising Facts About Alexander Hamilton

Even if you've seen the Broadway musical 'Hamilton,' there's probably a lot you don't know about this enigmatic founding father.

A detail of ‘Green River Cliffs, Wyoming, 1881’ by Thomas Moran

11 Amazing Facts About the Louisiana Purchase

Napoleon needed cash fast, so he made the U.S. an offer it couldn’t refuse.

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.

HSAs and FSAs don’t work in exactly the same ways.

HSA vs. FSA: What’s the Difference?

The differences between HSAs and FSAs include how they’re set up, how much you can contribute, and who qualifies.

18 Fascinating Facts About the Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party was a foundational moment in American history—and it was not without controversy. Honor its 250th anniversary with these surprising facts.

Jacques Louis David’s portrait of Antoine and Marie Anne Lavoisier. Antoine Lavoisier was a chemist during the Enlightenment who was later beheaded.

10 Illuminating Facts About the Enlightenment

The period of scientific, artistic, and political revolutions isn’t known as the “Age of Reason” for nothing.

'TIME' has logged the most intriguing person of the year for nearly a century—and for 2023, that person is Taylor Swift.

Every ‘TIME’ Person of the Year Since 1927

The magazine has named the most newsworthy subjects annually for the past century, with a few surprises.

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.

Arizona judge Sandra Day O'Connor testifies at her confirmation as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1981.

How Sandra Day O’Connor Beat the Odds, Ruled the Court, and Became the Most Powerful Woman in America

Discover how Sandra Day O’Connor overcame the odds to become the first female U.S. Supreme Court justice.

The Underground Cheese Caves of Missouri

in the 1980s, Springfield was home to a subterranean labyrinth made up of cheese wheels.

Peer Pressure: 10 Facts About Jury Duty

Failing to appear can mean a fine, jail time, or being forced to write an essay about the importance of serving.

Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco.

4 Royal European Families Have Twins—But Only One Set Includes a Future Ruler

With more twins being born than ever, it should be no surprise that a handful have royal blood. In Europe, four ruling families of Europe currently have a set of twins.

Each country has its own quirky election rules.

15 Facts About Elections Around the World

Voters in the U.S. may head to the polls on Tuesdays, but the rest of the world prefers to save its votes for Sunday.

Still from 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' (1951) beside illustration of a theremin.

Audio Invasion: How the Theremin Went From Soviet Labs to Hollywood

The theremin—a spooky instrument that scored the biggest sci-fi films of the 1950s—was invented by accident.

'Tis the season to restock your COVID test supply.

The Government Is Mailing Out Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Again—Here’s How to Get Them

The USPS will soon be on its way with more government-issued at-home COVID test kits. Here’s how to make sure they stop at your door.

Dee Snider defends artistic freedom during the 1985 PMRC Senate hearing on the perils of rock music.

Parental Advisory: When Tipper Gore Took on ‘80s Rock Music

Suggestive lyrics from bands like Twisted Sister led to the 1985 Parents Music Resource Center Senate hearing on whether musicians should be allowed to rock without parental supervision.

The U.S. government recruited a (phony) vampire-esque creature.

False Fang: When the CIA Staged a Vampire Attack

In the 1950s, American counterinsurgents decided to play into Philippine folklore by orchestrating a deadly 'vampire' attack.

5 European Princesses Who Are Preparing to Reign

In the coming decades, five princesses are expected to ascend the thrones of Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden.

A detail from ‘Napoleon Crossing the Alps’ by Jacques-Louis David

15 Epic Facts About Napoleon Bonaparte

One of the most fascinating figures to ever live was born 246 years ago.

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