HISTORY

The Discoveries of 21 Human Ancestors, Mapped

Within the last 200 years, we’ve discovered about two dozen species of hominins in Europe, Africa, and Asia—which you can see laid out in this map.

Grandfather clocks often become family heirlooms.

Why Is It Called a ‘Grandfather Clock’?

The imposing clocks have an origin story, but it doesn't have much to do with any actual grandfathers.

You can save this one for the next time someone makes you mad (though it might not do you any favors, either).

Where Does the Phrase ‘May You Live In Interesting Times’ Actually Come From?

This common phrase is often used during times of political uncertainty, and has even been described as an ancient Chinese curse. History says otherwise, though.

Why Do We Call Dogs Fido?

“Fido” is a name that has become synonymous with all things dog. But where did the name come from?

A detail of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I painted to commemorate the defeat of the Spanish Armada (depicted in the background).

15 Amazing Facts About Queen Elizabeth I

She spoke multiple languages, defeated Spain’s powerful navy, and never accepted a marriage proposal. Discover more fascinating facts about Queen Elizabeth I and her reign.

How All 50 States Got Their Names

Some state name origins are obvious—but others pose an etymological mystery.

The Most Overpriced Tourist Attraction in Each State, Mapped

You might want to keep this handy on your next vacation.

Why Do Supreme Court Justices Serve for Life?

Alexander Hamilton argued that lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court were the only way, but some modern scholars disagree.

There are actually multiple versions of this iconic sticker.

A Brief but Fascinating History of the ‘I Voted’ Sticker

The origins of those ‘I Voted’ stickers you see everyone rocking on Election Day go back to the 1950s in the United States, but the design everyone recognizes most was created by Janet Boudreau in the late 1980s.

15 Hilariously Terrible Reviews of Wonderful Museums

From the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, no institution is safe from terrible reviews.

Who Said It: Napoleon or Michael Scott?

One was a born leader lauded and reviled by underlings and historians alike. The other was Napoleon.

20 Fascinating Facts About Humphrey Bogart

No, he wasn’t the Gerber baby, but he did serve as a model for another brand of baby food—and 19 other facts you need to know about this Hollywood heavyweight.

The Surprising History Behind 5 Popular Halloween Costumes

The origins of these classic costumes are probably not what you would expect.

Scurvy decimated sailors, explorers, and regular citizens for centuries before a cure for the vitamin deficiency was discovered.

Scurvy—a “Disease of the Past”—Is Making a Comeback

A case study of a man in Australia is highlighting the return of a disease associated with Elizabethan sailors and polar explorers.

DNA Identifies Medieval Man Thrown Down a Well, Confirming a Norse Saga’s Tale

According to a medieval saga, the Norwegian “Well Man” might have been used as a biological weapon.

Get a better sense of how illnesses have shaped history in these gripping reads.

12 Fascinating Books on History’s Most Notorious Diseases

Get a better sense of how illnesses have shaped history with these gripping reads about history’s most notorious diseases.

A hearse with S-shaped bars in place of back windows.

Why Do Hearses Have Metal S-Shaped Scrolls Where the Back Windows Should Be?

Those evocative scrolls you see on hearses actually have a name—and going back in the 1800s, they actually served an important purpose.

The 1795 time capsule buried at the Massachusetts State House was innocuous. But others were not.

The Surprisingly Dark History of Time Capsules

Time capsules are buried, found, and opened fairly commonly. But when they were first gaining popularity at the start of the 20th century, their purpose was often far more nefarious.

The backstory behind these masks is almost as legendary as the films they appear within.

The Fascinating Origins Behind 8 Iconic Horror Movie Masks

From meticulous artistry to pure dumb luck, the origins of horror movie masks are as interesting as the films themselves.

10 Famous Uses of the Ouija Board

Sylvia Plath often broke out her Ouija Board to speak to her spirit guide, Pan.

'The Warm Hand' by Jean Francois Bosio, 1817.

Misconceptions About the Regency Era

When exactly was the Regency era, anyway? Find out that and more in this episode of Misconceptions.

1984 Cable Music Channel "It's live it's 24 hours a day" TV Commercial

How MTV’s First Rival Became Cable TV’s Biggest Flop

With the Cable Music Channel, Ted Turner tried to take on MTV and failed—but somehow still managed to win.

The Speed Six is making a comeback for a limited time.

Bentley Is Recreating Its Iconic 1930 Speed Six

Meet one of the most iconic pre-war cars ever made: the 1930 Speed Six.

On a ledge about a city, Houdini holds on with his chin in a scene from the film ‘The Grim Game.’

10 Historic Events That Happened on Halloween

From Harry Houdini’s strange death to a steamship disaster and “Monster Mash,” memorable historical events have happened—fittingly—on Halloween.

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