HISTORY

Members of Earth, Wind & Fire performing in 1978.

Do You Remember? 12 Memorable Events That Happened on September 21—the Internet’s Favorite Day of the Year

“Do you remember the 21st night of September?” Earth, Wind & Fire first asked the question in 1978. And in the years since, the date has taken on new meaning online.

The first horror film was already using a castle as the setting.

Watch the World’s First Horror Movie From 1896

'Le Manoir du Diable' has some pretty sweet special effects for the 19th century.

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #8

This riddle from the book ‘Wit Newly Revived’ dates back to the 18th century—can you figure it out?

How David Bowie Helped Pave the Way For the Download Age

The groundbreaking artist made history in 1999 with his album ‘Hours’ when he sold it as an internet download before it hit stores: “Mark my words … we are not going back to record companies and through shops.”

10 Fascinating Facts About Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘The Scarlet Letter’

Hawthorne’s most famous novel—a mainstay on high school reading lists—has been the subject of some interesting myths and misconceptions.

Why Does Grover Cleveland Count as Two Presidents?

Historians suggest that while Grover Cleveland was but one person, he was actually two presidents thanks to his nonconsecutive terms.

Portraits of John Quincy Adams (left) and Andrew Jackson (right)

The Time Andrew Jackson Won the Vote But Lost the Presidency

In 1824, Jackson both won the popular vote and got the most votes in the electoral college, but lost the election anyway.

Peter’s poor wife did not have a good time.

The History—and Surprisingly Dark Theories—Behind ‘Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater’

‘Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater’ may not be the most kid-friendly nursery rhyme, as several interpretations of it involve murder.

People found the devil in some very unlikely places.

The Devil Made Them Do It: 8 Examples of Satanic Panic in the ‘80s

In the 1980s, media hysteria saw demonic undertones in everything from ‘Mister Ed’ to Pampers diapers.

Victoria Claflin Woodhull led a very interesting life.

The First Woman to Run For President Was a Spiritualist, Wall Street Broker, and Free-Love Advocate

Long before Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris launched their presidential campaigns, Victoria Claflin Woodhull ran as a third party candidate in the 1872 election.

‘Le Lyonnais’ (not pictured above) has been discovered after nearly 200 years.

‘Le Lyonnais,' a Long-Lost French Steamship, Has Been Discovered Off the Massachusetts Coast

The French vessel was the victim of a maritime hit and run.

These days, we use ‘GOP’ to refer to Republicans—but that wasn’t always the case.

What Does ‘GOP’ Stand For?

What ‘GOP’ means isn’t complicated—but its history is.

The signed archetype of the U.S. Constitution now up for auction.

Ultra-Rare Copy of the U.S. Constitution, Found in a Filing Cabinet, Heads to Auction

Bidding on the signed Constitution copy starts at $1 million—but it will likely sell for much, much more.

Nuclear Bunker, Land Lying To The East Of Longridge Lane SK17 8AE

Take a Virtual Tour of a Post-WWII Bunker Up for Sale in England

Now is your chance to own an important part of British history.

How the Bootleg Nintendo System ‘Dendy’ Took Over 1990s Russia

In the '90s, Russian kids coveted unauthorized Nintendo systems with an elephant mascot named Dendy.

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #7

This riddle dates back to the 19th century—can you figure it out?

He wants you to learn about the symbol’s history.

Who Was Uncle Sam, and Why Did He ‘Want’ You?

Uncle Sam is an easily recognizable piece of wartime propaganda. And legend says he was based off a real person—though that may not actually be the case.

People had some interesting ideas about eels (top) and lamprey (bottom).

Putting a Skirt on a Herring, and Other Fishy Folklore From the British Isles

This excerpt from Ben Gazur’s book ‘A Feast of Folklore: The Bizarre Stories Behind British Food,’ out September 19 in the UK and November 19 in the U.S., dives into some unusual history.

Legionella in a Petri dish under UV light.

What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?

The unusual respiratory illness was named for a 1976 outbreak among attendees of an American Legion conference.

You never know what treasures you’ll find.

20 Amazingly Valuable Thrift Store Finds

Thrift stores are always a treasure trove of vintage items—but sometimes a lucky shopper comes across an actual treasure.

Why 7 Animals Became Associated With Halloween

Black cats, bats, and spiders commonly appear in people’s Halloween decorations. Here’s why.

Who pulled off these heists has never officially been determined.

6 Infamous Unsolved Bank Robberies

Whether they were tunneling into vaults or blowing their way into them through church walls, these thieves were brazen—and in each case, whodunit remains a mystery.

All this sugar would have horrified the inventor of graham crackers.

Graham Crackers Were Invented to Combat the Evils of Coffee, Alcohol, and Masturbation

Social media users regularly joke about the origins of the simple graham cracker as a way to curtail sexual impulses. And while it might sound bizarre, this is one viral trend that is based in truth.

Rare Rembrandt painting sells for more than a million dollars

A Purported Rembrandt Found In an Attic Just Sold for $1.4 Million

The portrait of a teen girl has been chilling in a Maine attic for decades.

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