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Why Do We Eat Pumpkin Pie on Thanksgiving?
Pumpkin pie was actually born in Europe—until American colonists claimed it as their own in the late 18th century.
HISTORY
10 of the World’s Rarest Gemstones
They may not be as “precious” as diamonds or emeralds, but these scarce gems are just as valuable—if not more so.
Why Are Elections Held on Tuesdays?
There are a few reasons—including a little something to do with the horse and buggy. Find out more about the history of Election Day.
10 Facts About Louis Wain, the Cat-Obsessed Victorian Artist
Louis Wain sketched, painted, and even animated cats throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Kansas Shoe Repairman Responsible for Veterans Day
Alvin King—a shoe repairman from Emporia, Kansas—probably isn’t in many history books, but he deserves at least a paragraph.
Why We Eat What We Eat on Thanksgiving
We look back at the history of Thanksgiving to explain how turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie got on your plate.
Explore the History of the Internet Through This Online Museum
From ARPANET to Myspace, this internet timeline hits all the important milestones.
How the Goldfish Became Everyone’s First Pet
They’re quintessential starter pets for young children. But it’s important to know how to properly care for a pet goldfish.
11 Facts About the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Find out more about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, from the first soldier ever interred in it to the rigorous process of guarding it.
Remembering Ada Lovelace, the First ‘Computer Programmer’
In the 1840s, Ada Lovelace wrote the world’s first machine algorithm for an early computer that existed only on paper.
Why Do Some Male Lions Lack Manes?
Climate can cause a big difference in how much hair a lion grows.
15 Fascinating Facts About Jasper Johns’s ‘Flag’
American painter Jasper Johns shook up the art world by reconceptualizing common icons like targets, numbers, and letters—and it all began in 1954 with ‘Flag.’
Sequoyah: The Man Who Saved the Cherokee Language
His innovative alphabet brought literacy to a nation.
7 Things to Know About Native American Heritage Month
November has been proclaimed Native American Heritage Month for more than 30 years, but the movement to honor Indigenous cultures started long before that.
10 Things You Need to Know About the Johnstown Flood
The Great Flood of 1889 killed more than 2000 people, swept away 1600 homes, and caused $17 million in damage. And it wasn’t the last time Johnstown would flood.
Ambrose Bierce, the Dark Humorist Who Disappeared
"Bitter Bierce" had a sharp sense of humor. It may have gotten him killed.
10 Regional Names for the Night Before Halloween
Whether you call it Mischief Night, Devil's Night, or something else, it all means one thing: wanton destruction of property.
From the Pragmatic to the Cruel: 7 Ways King James VI and I Changed Society
From uniting the Crowns to whipping witch hunters into a frenzy, King James VI and I left his mark on history.
Mantle Piece: You Can Own Shares of Mickey Mantle’s Boyhood Home for $7
The baseball icon’s modest Oklahoma home is getting the fractional ownership treatment.
5 Misconceptions About the Middle Ages
The medieval era wasn’t just a bunch of flat Earthers feasting and jousting.
12 Facts About Día de los Muertos
In Latin America, el Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life and death, and an invitation for the deceased to return home once again to those who love them.
Why Is Opening an Umbrella Indoors Supposed to Be Bad Luck?
When it comes to superstitions about bad luck, indoor umbrellas are right up there with broken mirrors and black cats.
How One Grieving Father Got Lawn Darts Banned
Lawn darts were banned in 1988, but not before seriously injuring many children and killing at least one.
15 Things You Should Know About Gustav Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’
Gustav Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’ is a deceptively simple portrait of lust and love. But beyond that glittery gold leaf, the work is full of fascinating facts.