Why Did the Nazis Hijack the Swastika?
Reader Scott from Vermont wrote to ask, “Why did the Nazis adopt the ancient sacred symbol of the swastika as their emblem?”
Reader Scott from Vermont wrote to ask, “Why did the Nazis adopt the ancient sacred symbol of the swastika as their emblem?”
Thirteen of these etymological tall-tales, taken from word origins guide 'Haggard Hawks and Paltry Poltroons,' are explained and debunked here.
The tiny piranha's reputation can be traced back to a surprising source.
Ditch the dry, stodgy classics and hunker down with these delightfully enticing reads from over a century ago.
The second edition of Endless Amusement, published in 1820, promises “nearly 400 entertaining experiments in various branches of science.”
It’s no surprise that not every hugely popular retail giant was an instant success, but it may be a little shocking to realize that plenty of well-known stores didn’t even start out selling the stuff they’re best known for now.
The book provides advice in the form of example letters for all sorts of situations. But it is the many matters of the heart that come across as particularly dated and worthy of unraveling more than a century and a half later. Let's take a look at some of
Excerpts from a 1919 U.S. report on German attitudes towards American troops.
Few things are more baffling than an outdated political cartoon. Jokes about history lessons you don’t remember are presented in a style that is usually disturbing, if not flat out terrifying. So here’s the game: We encourage historically inclined readers
In honor of Flip a Coin Day, here are four big decisions that came down to a simple question: Heads or tails?
Lawyer, statesman, president, gadfly, New Englander: John Adams was a lot of things, but boring wasn't one of them.
We usually think of the American Revolutionary War as being fought strictly in North America, but naval battles were also fought in European waters.
On September 11, 1937, the Washington Post reported that "D.C.'s Lone Girl Motorcyclist Stormed Loudly To Get Permit." The girl was Sally Robinson (married name: Halterman, as she is identified in photo archives) and after nearly a decade of operating mot
As you head to the beach or the pool this Memorial Day Weekend, enjoy these excellent historical photos of people taking (or preparing to take) a dip.
In 1974, Ernő Rubik was working as a professor of architecture and design in Budapest.
If you can remember these fashion fads, recess trends, and dubious medical practices, you were definitely an 1890s kid.
Philadelphia is a city of American history, and that history is reflected in its various neighborhoods.
History buffs and whiskey aficionados, get thee to Virginia.
You know the saying: "Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door." But improving on the mousetrap is tough—just ask Joseph Barad and Edward Markoff. Their attempt, "Device Employed for Exterminating Rats, Mice and Other Animals,