HISTORY

Popcorn has been around for a long time.

How 10 Classic Foods Made Their Way to America

Humans have had plenty of opportunities to discover new foods and transport them to new places over the past 12,000 years.

You can thank Letitia Mumford Geer for this.

Remembering Letitia Mumford Geer, the Nurse Who Invented the One-Handed Syringe

The syringes used by medical professionals today can be traced back to her 1899 patent.

The real-life 'Amityville Horror' house looks a little different these days.

The True Stories Behind 6 Haunted House Movies

Learn more about the supernatural incidents that inspired haunted house movies like ‘The Amityville Horror’ and ‘The Conjuring,’ and discover the truth behind the scares.

The Fountain of Youth, painted in 1546 by German artist Lucas Cranach the Elder.

Florida’s “Fountain of Youth” Could Be a Radioactive Water Spigot, Some Locals Claim

Punta Gorda locals have been swearing by the mystical properties of a radioactive water fountain for a century.

A Juicy History of the Hamburger

Who invented the hamburger? Unravel the history of this American staple and find out how it went from a simple Hamburg steak to the beloved sandwich we know today.

12 Historical Conspiracy Theories

From doubt over Shakespeare’s existence to Lincoln’s assassination, conspiracy theories have been around for centuries.

Some of the playground games you loved as a kid were also loved by kids in ancient Greece.

The Surprising Origins of 15 Beloved Playground Games

People were playing jacks in ancient Greece—just trading in the jacks and ball for tiny sheep bones or rocks.

Why Are Black Cats Considered Bad Luck?

Are black cats bad luck? Uncover the fascinating myths and legends surrounding these enigmatic creatures and learn why they've been both feared and revered throughout history.

Smurf Berry Crunch Cereal commercial (1983)

12 Discontinued Breakfast Cereals You Loved as a Kid

From Crazy Cow to Hidden Treasures, these discontinued cereals might be forgotten to some, but they’ll bring back delicious memories for others.

Presidents Day vs. President’s Day vs. Presidents’ Day: Which One Is It?

The apostrophe in Presidents Day—or President's Day or Presidents's Day—is all over the place ... or nowhere to be found at all.

Just try not to get the bottoms all wet.

A Brief History of JNCO Jeans

When were JNCO jeans popular and how did they come to be? Discover more about the history of these ultra wide-legged pants and why they were created in the first place.

The True Origins of “The Muffin Man” Nursery Rhyme

Was the "Muffin Man" nursery rhyme created to warn people about a serial killer? We investigate its alleged dark origins.

Druids celebrating the spring equinox at Stonehenge.

9 Rituals to Celebrate the Spring Equinox

From balancing an egg to eating phallic food, here are nine rituals to celebrate the start of spring.

Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological coping mechanism.

The Surprising Origin of Stockholm Syndrome

Is Stockholm Syndrome real? Learn about the survival tactic that leads captives to sympathize with their captors.

A section of Hadrian’s Wall showing the remains of a Roman fort.

10 Facts About Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Empire’s Northern Frontier

Uncover the story of Hadrian’s Wall and take a fascinating dive into life at the Roman Empire’s northern frontier.

A map of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 showing where the fire burned.

Did a Cow Really Cause the Great Chicago Fire of 1871?

Many believed the origin of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a cow kicking over a lantern. A map of the fire’s path suggested otherwise.

Not all wedding traditions come from bright and cheery beginnings.

The Bizarre Origins of 8 Wedding Traditions

Let's take a moment to reflect on the strange history of marriage celebrations.

Turner and Crawford once went head-to-head.

When Lana Turner Came for Joan Crawford's Crown as Queen of Hollywood

Glamour girl Lana Turner and gangster Mickey Cohen were both young and hungry. Each wanted to take over the Hollywood movie studios and the crime ridden streets of Los Angeles, but Lana and Mickey had two major obstacles standing in their way.

Queen Marie Antoinette in 1787 with Marie Thérèse, Louis Charles, and Louis Joseph.

The Royal Rundown on Marie Antoinette's Children

Marie Antoinette had four children before her beheading in 1793. Here's what happened to them.

Elizabeth Freeman, the Formerly Enslaved Woman Who Successfully Sued for Her Freedom

The courts ruled that the newly passed Massachusetts Constitution guaranteed that Freeman was indeed a free woman.

George Washington Carver in his laboratory.

10 Black Inventors Who Changed the World

Get to know the brilliant African American innovators who brought you blood banks, personal computers, dry cleaning, and more.

Retro Pepsi-Cola logos from the mid-20th century.

Pop Star: How Pepsi Got Its Name

Pepsi-Cola was named for two ingredients that it doesn't (and possibly never did) contain.

Who First Said ‘The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword’?

Weirdly enough, it's the same guy who gave Snoopy the opening to his epically bad novel.

Vienna’s Wienflussportal, showing the spot where the Vienna River emerges from its underground course.

10 Rivers Buried Under Cities

Discover the hidden rivers buried beneath cities around the world. From Moscow to Tokyo, explore the history and modern efforts to reopen these forgotten waterways.

Prev Next