HISTORY

A vintage engraving of London Bridge in the late 19th century.

The Dark Theories Behind the “London Bridge Is Falling Down” Nursery Rhyme

There are a handful of dark theories about the rhyme’s inspiration—ranging from a Viking invasion to human sacrifice—but we’ll cross that bridge when get to it. First up, let’s break down the known history of the tune.

How Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials Got Their Names

Discover how the different generation names for Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials came to be.

Charlemagne gazes at his cathedral at Aachen, wondering how he’s going to divvy up his kingdom among 20 kids.

The Royal Rundown on Charlemagne’s 20 Children

Charlemagne, the 7th-century king of the Franks, had about 20 children who went on to establish Europe’s royal houses and populate most of Europe.

Hear Every No.1 Hit of the '90s in This 20-Minute Video

From Mariah to Britney, this video covers a decade's worth of chart-topping hits.

“Itsy Bitsy Spider”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme

Early versions of the rhyme included the words ‘bloody’ and ‘blooming’—and sometimes didn’t feature a spider at all.

The cover of Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Little Women.’

11 Fascinating Facts About Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Little Women’

“Little Women” is one of the world's most beloved novels—but Louisa May Alcott only wrote it to help her father get a publishing contract.

Plenty of songs take their inspiration from actual people.

The Real People and Events Mentioned in 11 Hit Songs

Some songs remain mysterious. Others, like "My Sharona," have a clear (albeit disturbing) origin.

An illustration of Samuel Morse and company sending the first telegraph message from 'The Story of the Nineteenth Century of the Christian Era,' 1900.

‘What Hath God Wrought’: The Biblical Phrase That Made Scientific History

The origins of ‘what hath God wrought’ go much farther back than the first telegraph message.

14 Very Valuable Coins That May Be Sitting In Your Coin Jar

Got a double-ear Lincoln penny or a coin that reads "In God We Rust"? You're in luck: They're worth money.

A Sherlock Holmes Story Handwritten by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Could Net $1.2 Million at Auction

The original manuscript is one of the few Holmes drafts to ever come up for sale.

The Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and his companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) are ready for their close-up.

This Interactive ‘Doctor Who’ Map of London Reveals All the Places the Time Lord Has Traveled

Plan a trip to London centered around your favorite ’Doctor Who’ episodes with this interactive map.

10 Things About Old Telephones That Might Confuse Young People

People who grew up with smartphones probably never gotten their hair tangled in a coiled phone cord while holding the receiver with their shoulders. Here are some other aspects of old-school telephones that young people might find confusing.

A semi-accurate rendering of a crocodile.

10 Historical First Impressions of Animals and Plants

From the “dark politicks” of cuttlefish to the “prodigious bigness” of snakes, here are 10 accounts of the first times explorers encountered new animals, foods, and more.

This baby's middle name is probably Lee.

The 20 Most Popular Middle Names in the Decade You Were Born

Is your middle name Marie? You could've been born in 1900 or 2015.

What Do A.M. and P.M. Stand For?

The abbreviations are widely understood as “morning” and “afternoon,” but what do the Latin translations actually mean?

‘Dumpster fire’ is just one slang term to come out of the 2000s.

2000s Slang: 30 Amazeballs Terms You Should Know

In the 2000s, the internet took over, as did social media, streaming, and cell phones that were also cameras and tiny computers. The slang of this era didn’t disappoint, either: From amazeballs to mukbang and beyond, here are some terms you might not have

8 Conspiracy Theories and What They Get Right

Grab your tinfoil hats. It’s time to get paranoid about mind control, CIA agents in the media, and other conspiracy theories with small grains of truth behind them.

Stephen King owes his career to the support of his wife, Tabitha.

How Stephen King’s Wife Saved ‘Carrie’ and Helped Launch His Career

Take a look back at the surprising origins of “Carrie,” Stephen King’s first book—and more importantly, discover how his wife Tabitha King played a pivotal role in its creation.

People have doubted the 1969 moon landing for decades.

11 of the Wildest Pre-Internet Rumors in American History

People have spread incorrect information long before the invention of the internet.

Is it a time machine? Or a teleportation chamber?

The Legend of London’s Time-Traveling Tomb

Deep in London’s historic Brompton Cemetery sits a mausoleum that houses a Victorian heiress, her daughters, and a time-travel story that keeps growing.

When Drinking Too Much Tea Could Get a Woman Sent to a Psychiatric Hospital

If you were a woman in the 19th century, virtually anything could get you committed to a psychiatric hospital—including drinking too much tea.

97 Facts About Generation X

The generation born between 1965 and 1980 loves nostalgia, has a ton of student debt, and hates cooking.

Dogs like this golden retriever are the result of careful breeding.

The Origins of 12 Beloved Dog Breeds

We trace the history of popular dog breeds like golden retrievers, German shepherds, French bulldogs, and more.

Did William Henry Harrison Really Die of Pneumonia?

People are still torn over the belief that the ninth president died of pneumonia after not wearing a coat to his inauguration.

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