HISTORY

Exploring OldMapsOnline is great way to spend an hour or five.

This Interactive Tool Lets You Explore Centuries of Old Maps at Once

OldMapsOnline revamped its capabilities to map famous people, rulers, battles, and more through time and geography.

Why is a ‘Square Deal’ Square?

Theodore Roosevelt called his domestic agenda of 1903 a ‘square deal.’ Let’s dig into the origins of the famous phrase.

Barack Obama supporters hold posters with his campaign slogan in 2008.

The Origins of 10 Presidential Campaign Slogans

You probably remember Barack Obama’s “Yes, We Can.” But do you remember Herbert Hoover’s campaign slogan? How about FDR’s?

Parades are a big part of the festivities.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Fourth of July

One Founding Father thought we were celebrating on the wrong day, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from pulling out all the stops on July 4.

Entering "Christina's World" | Andrew Wyeth | UNIQLO ARTSPEAKS

15 Fascinating Facts About Andrew Wyeth’s ‘Christina’s World’

Understanding the true story behind ‘Christina’s World’ makes the famed 1948 painting by Andrew Wyeth even more intriguing.

Pay phones were everywhere in the 1980s. And they were often full of money.

King of Quarters: The ‘Pay Phone Bandit’ Who Baffled the FBI in the ’80s

Pay phones were thought to have an unpickable lock. Then James Clark came along.

The preserved hull of the Tudor warship ‘Mary Rose.’

12 Facts About the ‘Mary Rose,’ Henry VIII’s Legendary Warship

King Henry VIII built the English Royal Navy around his favorite warship, the ‘Mary Rose,’ which sank under mysterious circumstances in 1545.

Paintings like ‘The Scream,’ ‘Starry Night,’ and ‘Mona Lisa’ have been subject to some interesting interpretations.

8 Interesting Interpretations of Famous Artworks

It’s no surprise that paintings like ‘The Scream,’ ‘The Starry Night,’ and ‘Mona Lisa’ have been subject to myriad interpretations over the years—some more bizarre than others.

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Moai at Ahu Tahai with dramatic clouds.

Rock Gardens Contradict Easter Island “Ecocide” Theory, Study Finds

New satellite data of ancient rock gardens on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is countering the “ecocide” narrative of the population’s supposed collapse—and offering a clue to a historical mystery.

10 European Midsummer Celebrations

If you’ve seen 2019’s 'Midsommer,' you probably associate the holiday with flower crowns, maypoles, and a dash of human sacrifice.

Andrew Jackson has been on the $20 for less time than you think.

Andrew Jackson Hasn’t Always Been On the $20 Bill

America's seventh president has been on the $20 bill for less time than you might assume.

The Stonewall Inn is now a national monument.

8 Facts About the Stonewall Riots

The Stonewall Riots were a watershed moment for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S., but here are some important facts you might not know about the uprising.

The dog days of summer don’t actually have anything to do with this dog.

What Are The Dog Days of Summer?

The dog days of summer don’t actually have much to do with dogs. Instead, they relate to Sirius, otherwise known as the Dog Star.

You’ll probably never see a manticore in the wild.

10 Strange Creatures That Prowl the Pages of Medieval Bestiaries

Contrary to what was once assumed, medieval people did not necessarily believe all these odd beasts actually existed.

Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, and Frank Morgan promoting 'The Wizard of Oz'

How ‘Friend of Dorothy’ Became Code in the Gay Community

In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy carried out a futile search for the “real” Dorothy.

10 Interpretations of Shakespeare’s Works

These theories about The Bard’s works range from the almost believable to the the utterly outlandish.

William Haines, Hollywood's First Out Gay Superstar

In the 1930s, Haines was forced to choose between Hollywood success and the love of his life.

Chris Kelly and Chris Smith of Kris Kross.

When Kriss Kross Launched a Backward Clothing Trend

Featuring rappers Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly and Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith, Kris Kross rose to international fame with their infectious 1992 debut single, “Jump.” The duo rocked mega-baggy jeans, baseball caps, and oversized sports jerseys—all worn backward.

The Grisly 1924 Crime That Led to the Forensic “Murder Bag”

The portable forensics kits that modern investigators use were inspired by bare hands at the scene of a horrific murder of Emily Kaye, which occurred 100 years ago.

Quiz: Can You Match the Historical Remedy with the Illness?

Figure it out, stat!

Why Is Depression Sometimes Called “The Black Dog”?

Everyone from lexicographer Samuel Johnson to Prime Minister Winston Churchill has used the phrase—but where does it come from? Why a black dog?

1947 16mm Film Home Movie - ROAD TRIP TO CALIFORNIA

Watch a 1947 Home Video of an Ohio Family’s Road Trip to California

Filmed over 75 years ago, this retro home movie follows one Ohio family as they drive to California and visit some classic American attractions along the way.

An African American family from Georgia sits together outdoors, circa 1890.

Ancestry Has Digitized Records of 183,000 Enslaved Americans Dating Back to 1788

Rare details about the lives of enslaved and emancipated Americans reveal the cruel treatment they suffered as well as their resilience.

Not every woman in the 1950s was a happy housewife.

10 Misconceptions About the 1950s

The ‘50s weren't all nuclear families with white picket fences and questionable Jell-O recipes.

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