HISTORY

The historic—and historical—grand opening of New York City's Brooklyn Bridge in May 1883.

Historic vs. Historical: What’s the Difference (And Which Should I Use)?

Learn when to use historic vs. historical in English language. Find out the differences and similarities between the two terms.

Frost Bite: When Sub-Zero Temperatures Shattered an Antarctic Explorer’s Teeth

“Polar exploration is at once the cleanest and most isolated way of having a bad time which has been devised,” he later wrote.

Veni, Vidi, Vici: The True Origin of Julius Caesar’s Famous Proclamation

With his catchphrase ‘veni, vidi, vici,’ Julius Caesar was saying much more than simply “I came, I saw, I conquered."

People don‘t really carry their belongings on sticks.

The Possible Origins of 7 Odd Visual Clichés

Why do we expect bankrupt people to wear barrels, or bank robbers to carry money bags marked with dollar signs? Discover the origins of these odd visual clichés.

Have Oscar Nominees Ever Competed Against Themselves? Yes—Surprisingly Often

Someone gets nominated twice in the same Oscar category nearly every year, surprisingly.

Who said disco sucks? A lot of people, apparently. / Image Source: McHugh via Getty

Wild Misconceptions About the 1970s

Were the '70s really the height of disco, punk, and the sexual revolution? Host Justin Dodd investigates in this episode of “Misconceptions."

The Laroche family shortly before departing on the 'Titanic.'

The Long-Lost Story of Joseph Laroche, the Only Black Man on the ‘Titanic’

There are few tales of the ‘Titanic’ left unexplored. Joseph Laroche’s story is one of them.

Thomas Edison, awaiting a ghostly phone call.

35 Lesser-Known Inventions of Famous Inventors

Henry Ford’s car made of soybeans and Thomas Edison’s ghost-detecting telephone are just two little-known creations of history’s most famous inventors.

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.

Prev Next