HISTORY

10 Fabulous Ancient Tombs

From King Tut’s treasure-stuffed tomb to one of the world's oldest human burial sites, these ancient resting places sent their occupants to the afterlife in style.

Barry Bremen fooled 'em all. For a moment or two.

The Counterfeit Athlete: Barry Bremen, the Man Who Pretended to Be an MLB, NBA, and NFL All-Star

Bremen, a life insurance salesman from Detroit, specialized in impersonating greatness.

You’ve likely heard at least one tale that starts with the line.

Why So Many Stories Begin With ‘Once Upon a Time’

‘Once Upon a Time’ appears in many fairy tales and stories. The phrase has a long history and a practical narrative purpose.

The 2024 Summer Olympics will open in July in Paris (barring war or a pandemic).

6 Times the Olympics Have Been Postponed or Canceled

Since 1896, when the modern Olympic Games began, the event has been disrupted only six times—and it usually required a war.

Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Albert Camus.

What 3 Famous Thinkers Said About the Meaning of Life

“What is the meaning of life?” is simultaneously one of the oldest questions in philosophy and a relatively new concept. Here’s what Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Albert Camus had to say on the matter.

Theodore Roosevelt was all about Big Stick Diplomacy.

When Theodore Roosevelt Urged Americans to “Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick”

Roosevelt launched one of his most famous sayings at the Minnesota State Fair in September 1901—just two weeks before he became president.

Can You Guess the Historical Serial Killer Based on Their Nickname?

The gruesome reputations of some repeat killers have led to unforgettable nicknames.

Hawaii Overprint Note from the World War II era.

That Time the Government Burned $200 Million of Hawaii’s Cash

During WWII, the U.S. government was scared that Japan might take all of Hawaii's money. Here's what they did to stop it.

Aaron Burr shoots Alexander Hamilton in the infamous duel.

What Did Aaron Burr Do After Shooting Alexander Hamilton?

The first thing Burr did after fatally shooting Hamilton was go home and eat some breakfast. His later years included treason and a drawn-out divorce.

Knowledge Is Power: A Brief History of the Philosophical Phrase

It’s succinct enough to fit on a bumper sticker. But what did ‘knowledge is power’ originally mean?

Three human-like figures and a large pig are drawn on a limestone cave wall.

A 51,200-Year-Old Cave Painting Might Be the World’s Oldest Narrative Art

The drawing of three human figures with a pig was discovered in an Indonesian cave—and might be the world’s oldest art that tells a story.

British people probably pronounced their ‘R’s back in the day.

What Did the Original American Colonists Sound Like?

Did 17th-century immigrants to the 13 colonies have modern British accents? First, we need to figure out what a “British accent” is.

A lot of people misinterpret these famous quotes.

10 of History’s Most Misinterpreted Quotes

Quotes like “one bad apple,” “money is the root of all evil,” and “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” have been entirely misinterpreted.

Painting showing Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Benjamin Franklin presenting the first draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress.

The Pursuit of Happiness: The True Meaning of the Misunderstood Phrase

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, both 'pursuit' and 'happiness' had secondary definitions that change the meaning of the iconic quote.

Jack Sprat could refer to two historical royals.

The Possibly Royal Origins of the ‘Jack Sprat’ Nursery Rhyme

Although “Jack Sprat” may not be in the nursery rhyme limelight, the two theories behind its meaning—both of which involve royalty—are just as interesting as the origins of better-known rhymes.

Fortunately, it’s illegal to eat saw-whet owls.

8 Birds That People Used to Eat (but Would Be a Federal Crime to Eat Now)

In past centuries, dinner tables were crowded with sparrows, robins, and even owls. Here are a few birds that are now protected from American appetites.

Leonard Cohen, Chelsea Hotel, Phoebe Bridgers.

9 Memorable Songs About the Chelsea Hotel

From Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel #2” to Jesse Jo Stark’s “Chelsea Hotel,” these songs capture the mythos of the inimitable Hotel Chelsea.

Exploring OldMapsOnline is great way to spend an hour or five.

This Interactive Tool Lets You Explore Centuries of Old Maps at Once

OldMapsOnline revamped its capabilities to map famous people, rulers, battles, and more through time and geography.

Why is a ‘Square Deal’ Square?

Theodore Roosevelt called his domestic agenda of 1903 a ‘square deal.’ Let’s dig into the origins of the famous phrase.

Barack Obama supporters hold posters with his campaign slogan in 2008.

The Origins of 10 Presidential Campaign Slogans

You probably remember Barack Obama’s “Yes, We Can.” But do you remember Herbert Hoover’s campaign slogan? How about FDR’s?

Parades are a big part of the festivities.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Fourth of July

One Founding Father thought we were celebrating on the wrong day, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from pulling out all the stops on July 4.

Entering "Christina's World" | Andrew Wyeth | UNIQLO ARTSPEAKS

15 Fascinating Facts About Andrew Wyeth’s ‘Christina’s World’

Understanding the true story behind ‘Christina’s World’ makes the famed 1948 painting by Andrew Wyeth even more intriguing.

Pay phones were everywhere in the 1980s. And they were often full of money.

King of Quarters: The ‘Pay Phone Bandit’ Who Baffled the FBI in the ’80s

Pay phones were thought to have an unpickable lock. Then James Clark came along.

The preserved hull of the Tudor warship ‘Mary Rose.’

12 Facts About the ‘Mary Rose,’ Henry VIII’s Legendary Warship

King Henry VIII built the English Royal Navy around his favorite warship, the ‘Mary Rose,’ which sank under mysterious circumstances in 1545.

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