%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
8 Questionable Moisturizers from History
Winter is synonymous with dry and flaky skin, but we don’t recommend treating it with these ancient recipes for body lotion.
HISTORY
The Great Smog Descended on London More Than 70 Years Ago—And its Cause Took Almost As Long to Discover
Heavy fogs have long been a part of life in London. But the darkness that enveloped the city on December 5, 1952 wasn’t your typical pea-souper.
Why Do We Make New Year’s Resolutions?
Every time a new year rolls around, people set out to better themselves. But why do we make these promises to ourselves, and where did this tradition come from? We can start by blaming the ancient Babylonians.
Who First Said “The Customer Is Always Right”?
The proverb that empowers rude shoppers has been going strong for over a century. Who’s to blame?
Why Is It Lucky to Eat Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day?
The humble black-eyed pea has become a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Southern New Year's traditions.
101 Things We Learned in 2024
Let’s celebrate another year in the books with a look back at how our knowledge grew over the past 12 months.
A Brief History of “Auld Lang Syne”
On New Year’s Eve, after the ball has dropped, revelers queue up “Auld Lang Syne”—that song that makes you cry, even though you don’t understand it and know almost none of the words.
How Did Pound Cake Get Its Name?
The original formula for pound cake was impossible to forget.
10 Wild and Weird New Year’s Eve TV Moments
A look back at some of the times that the small screen celebrated the year’s end in unpredictable fashion.
Why Do We ‘Ring In’ the New Year?
The meaning of ‘ring in the New Year’ is now mostly metaphorical, but it used to involve literal ringing.
Odd Lang Syne: 7 Creepy New Year’s Superstitions That’ll Keep You Up Past Midnight
Some New Year’s superstitions and traditions are spookier than others, but these are some of those most memorable from around the world.
15 Ancient Cities You Can Still Visit
Make sure your passport is current, book your flight, and let yourself imagine the lives of the people who called these ancient cities home.
9 Festive Facts about Hogmanay, Scotland’s New Year’s Celebration
Celebrating the New Year is a big deal in Scotland.
The Fleeting Fame of the New Year’s Baby
New Year’s babies used to get showered with gifts and prizes, but today their fame is fleeting.
6 Surprising Facts About Boxing Day
Boxing Day occurs on December 26, and continues to be a big day for shopping.
When Muhammad Ali Tried to Reunite the Beatles
The boxing legend had $200 million reasons the group should come together.
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #18
This riddle dates back to the 1860s—can you figure out the answer?
The Mysterious Origins of the World’s Most Famous Christmas Poem
Clement Clarke Moore is widely believed to be the author of “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” But the Livingston family of New York begs to differ.
12 Astounding Facts about the Lascaux Cave Paintings
The astonishing cave paintings of bison, deer, and extinct animals were discovered by accident in France in 1940. They offer a tantalizing glimpse into prehistory.
Why Do We Say “Jinx”?
If you’ve ever been jinxed into owing someone a soda, you should know why.
11 Illuminating Facts About Hanukkah
Every winter, Jewish people around the world spend eight nights lighting candles, eating latkes, and spinning dreidels. But what’s Hanukkah really all about?
Why Is Being Fired Called ‘Getting the Pink Slip’?
Getting laid off has long been associated with getting a fancy pink invitation to the unemployment line. Why?
14 Gifts That Changed the World
These gifts made a huge impact.
Advice for an Apocalypse: 10 Tips From Y2K Survival Guides
Buy a water bed—you might need to drink it.