HISTORY

Is the call really coming from inside the house?

15 Origins of Urban Legends

From what inspired Candyman and the Mothman to the tales about alligators in the sewers and killers calling from inside the house, we're breaking down the origins of popular urban legends.

The birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas influenced the timing of Black History Month.

7 Facts About Black History Month

We celebrate Black History Month every February to recognize the amazing impact African American people have had on our culture. Read on for more about this tradition's origins.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor on the set of 'The Sandpiper' (1965).

9 Unforgettable Breakup Letters From History

These famous couples (and some lesser famous ones) didn’t mince words in their breakup letters.

Why Was February Chosen to Celebrate Black History Month?

Since 1976, Black History Month has been celebrated in February—and it's because of two specific dates on the calendar.

He inspired a lot more than just Burns Night.

8 Things Named After Scottish Poet Robert Burns

Burns Night isn't the only thing named after Robert Burns. Streets, towns, and monuments throughout the world were christened in his honor.

Why Do We Call Them Bobby Pins?

There’s a surprisingly rich history at the root of this hair accessory.

An Edison phonograph exhibit with a talking doll in Paris, 1889.

Listen to Thomas Edison’s Eerie Talking Dolls Speak After More Than a Century of Silence

Modern technology has helped these dolls find their voices—and when they speak, it’s downright creepy.

Churchill knew how to tackle those midday slumps.

10 Famous Modern and Historical Nappers

Did you know that famous figures like Thomas Edison and Salvador Dalí were avid nappers? Learn more about their unique napping habits and the benefits they experienced here.

Where Does the Phrase ‘… And the Horse You Rode in On’ Come From?

Why are we still employing a kiss-off that references a near-obsolete form of transportation?

“Refreshingly Mad”: 10 Facts About the First Pole-to-Pole Journey Around the World

Ginnie and Ranulph Fiennes's Transglobe Expedition circled the globe—just not the normal way.

Residents of London’s East End, circa 1900.

13 Cockney Rhyming Slang Terms You Should Know

Grab your best china plate (a.k.a. mate) and feast your mince pies (otherwise known as your eyes) on these fascinating and delightful terms in this guide to Cockney rhyming slang.

Virginia Woolf, Charlie Chaplin, and Ludwig van Beethoven could be considered nepo babies.

18 Nepo Babies From History

Plenty of nepo babies have earned their places in history. But it’s always good to acknowledge the doors open to people who have rich relatives—or whose dad knows the manager of a clogging troupe.

Martin Van Buren’s nickname wasn’t a compliment.

30 Unusual Presidential Nicknames—And How They Were Acquired

From the obscure (“American Fabius") to the sports-related (“Barry O'Bomber”), here are just a few of the most colorful presidential nicknames.

Dublin, Ireland 1960s in color [60fps,Remastered] w/sound design added

Stroll Through 1960s Dublin With This Remastered Video

This historic footage of Dublin, Ireland, from the 1960s has been colorized and remastered in high definition.

The British Museum's professional mousing staff answered to names like Black Jack and Poppet.

When Cats Took Over the British Museum

Being a professional mouser for the British Museum in the 20th century came with some competitive benefits.

There’s a reason no one lives on Palmyra Atoll.

10 Uninhabited Islands—and the Reasons They’re Devoid of Humans

Some of these islands were never occupied by humans, but the majority have been abandoned.

10 Lesser-Known Royal Love Stories

If you’ve heard enough about King Henry VIII’s many wives or the turbulent relationship between Princess Diana and King Charles III, consider these 10 lesser known royal love stories.

This simple cereal has a particularly intriguing backstory.

10 Incredible Things That Were Invented By Accident

Not every great invention was created according to plan. From penicillin to breakfast cereal to popsicles, these everyday items were all invented entirely by accident.

Top 10 Decade Defining Dance Moves of the 1990s

Watch These Dance Moves That Defined the ’90s

From the Humpty Dance to the Macarena, these moves were mainstays of ’90s dance floors.

These authors took matters into their own hands.

8 Books You Didn’t Know Were Originally Self-Published

The road to the bestseller list started with a self-financed trip to the printing press for these famed authors.

The Internet Archive is the ultimate boredom-buster.

7 Fun Ways to Use the Internet Archive

The Internet Archive goes beyond the Wayback Machine—it also hosts movies, arcade games, and more.

SS ‘Eastland’ overturned in the Chicago River.

Watch The Oldest Footage of Chicago on Film

Yestervid compiles silent film footage of the Windy City dating back to 1896.

A photo of a woman resembling Patty Hearst, with a weapon in hand, from the robbery of a bank by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army.

9 Infamous Kidnappings From History

On February 4, 1974, publishing heiress Patty Hearst was taken from her Berkeley, California, apartment—but Hearst is far from the only abduction case to have captured public attention.

Ladies riding in a car—or, if you’re using slang from the 1900s, an ‘automobubble’—circa 1901.

38 Terrific Slang Terms From the Last Century

Wastoid, wedgie, and dumpster fire, oh my! In the latest episode of The List Show, you can learn about the fun origins of some pretty wacky and absolutely real slang terms from the last hundred years.

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