HISTORY

Meet Opal Lee—the 97-Year-Old Activist Known as the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth’

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday? Yes—and we have Opal Lee to thank for that.

Sir Ernest Shackleton stands on the deck of the ‘Quest’ before it left for Antarctica.

The ‘Quest,’ Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Last Ship, Has Been Found Off Eastern Canada

The ‘Quest’ was the ship on which Sir Ernest Shackleton carried out his final, uncompleted voyage to Antarctica.

Illustration Vikings arriving at Normandy in the 9th century, circa 1911.

21 Incredible Viking Insults

The Vikings had a lot of ways to call out people for being lazy.

Organized comic book burnings were a thing in the late '40s.

‘Let Us Commit Them to the Flames’: The Comic Book Burnings of the 1940s

Comics were thought to cause juvenile delinquency. So people took the reasonable step of setting them on fire.

We can learn a lot from a letter written 300 years ago.

Letters Reveal the Life of a 20-Something in 18th-Century London

From money troubles to a forbidden romance, the life 27-year-old Ben Browne lived in 1719 London should sound relatable to today's young people.

A portion of the preserved Maya village Joya de Ceren (“Jewel of Ceren”) under a protective roof.

The “New World Pompeii”: 10 Fascinating Facts about the Maya Village of Joya de Ceren

Buried by a volcanic eruption 1400 years ago, well-preserved remains of the Maya village in modern-day El Salvador have earned a provocative nickname: The Pompeii of the New World.

Quiz: Can You Guess How These Famous Figures Died?

Whatever a person’s accomplishments in life, death tends to be a humbling experience. Can you guess how these notables expired?

Why Does ‘Joshing’ Mean “Kidding Around”?

The word dates back to the mid-19th century, and has taken many forms.

William McKinley (first row, center) and his wife, Ida (to his left), meet with the Flower Delegation.

The Presidential Candidate Who Campaigned From His Porch

Unwilling to leave his ill wife's side during a presidential campaign, William McKinley decided to run for president from his front porch.

22 Things You Might Not Know About the Stanley Cup

Who is this Lord Stanley anyway? Find out more about the history and strange mishaps surrounding the NHL’s Stanley Cup.

The “silver-colored dove” illustration in the Aberdeen Bestiary

Browse a Medieval Bestiary That Once Belonged to Henry VIII

See a digital scan of the sumptuously decorated book that had a surprisingly humble origin.

First edition of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’

10 of the Most Valuable Children’s Books

If you have any of these classic kids’ books sitting on your shelf in mint condition, you could make a pretty penny.

“All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.”

“The Rainbow Bridge”: The Emotional—and Once-Lost—History of the Popular Pet Memorial Poem

The poem “The Rainbow Bridge” has long comforted animal lovers who are mourning a pet. But for decades, its author remained a mystery.

James Baldwin, Senator Tammy Baldwin, and George Takei.

15 Inspiring Quotes from LGBTQ+ Leaders

These memorable quotes from LGBTQ+ leaders—on everything from intersectionality to being an ally—will ring true all year round.

13 People Who Operated on Themselves

From the Founding Father who stuck whalebone where he shouldn’t have to the only known woman to have given herself a C-section.

Albert Einstein is credited with more famous quotations than he actually came up with.

‘Definition of Insanity’: Did Albert Einstein Really Coin This Famous Phrase?

Is Einstein's definition of insanity world-famous or just a myth?

Queen Elizabeth II sometimes went by Sharon.

11 Royal Code Names

When she was trying to fly under the radar, Queen Elizabeth II went by the name ‘Sharon.’

The 50th anniversary cover of Peter Benchley’s ‘Jaws.’

“[It] Looked Like a Penis”: The Origin of the Iconic ‘Jaws’ Art

A nude swimmer and a phallic-looking fish nearly sunk one of the most recognizable book covers of modern times.

What Is a Gift Horse, and Why Shouldn’t You Look Inside Its Mouth?

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth means being thankful for a gift, even if you secretly wished for something better—and it originated long before the invention of cars.

‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’ by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

16 Fascinating Facts About Renoir’s ‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’

Set in a real-life cafe overlooking the Seine, the painting captures a joyous moment among friends—but the history around this iconic Impressionist work makes it all the richer.

When George Washington Nearly Kidnapped a British Prince

During the Revolutionary War, George Washington approved a plan to kidnap Prince William Henry, a son of King George III.

Andrew Irvine (left) circa 1920 and George Mallory circa 1915.

George Mallory’s Final Dash up Mount Everest: 100 Years of Mystery and Myth

What happened during George Mallory's fatal Everest ascent is one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries. Here's what we know.

In his House Divided speech, Lincoln feared the outcome of the Missouri Compromise would be civil war.

“A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand”: Deciphering Lincoln’s Warning About Civil War

In his famous 1858 speech, Abraham Lincoln warned that only civil war would resolve the issue of slavery in the U.S. He wasn’t wrong.

Why Is It Called a “Hamburger” If It Doesn’t Contain Ham?

Here's how the hamburger came by its misleading name.

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