HISTORY

December 25, 1066, was a big day for William the Conqueror.

25 Non-Christmas Things That Have Happened on December 25

Other momentous events have happened on December 25, like Washington crossing the Delaware and the birth of Jimmy Buffett.

It wasn't always associated with the holidays.

Why Is Holly a Symbol of Christmas?

The hardy plant’s ability to stay vibrant through the winter made it a natural choice for pre-Christian winter festivals, but why is holly now associated with Christmas?

George Washington’s Extra-Boozy Eggnog Recipe Will Knock You Sideways

George Washington's preferred eggnog recipe calls for four kinds of booze—and none of them in small quantities.

9 Funerals Gone Wrong

From a profane parrot to an exploding corpse to swapped (and dropped) bodies, the funerals on this list went terribly awry.

The Yule Lads didn't always look like Santa.

Iceland’s Yule Lads Bring Gifts, Steal Meat

Thirteen bearded wild men descend upon Icelandic homes to reward children who behave and punish those who don’t.

Several health ailments hindered the Tudors.

10 Medical Misfortunes that Plagued the Tudor Royal Family

The powerful royal family was not immune to the many illnesses of the 16th century.

St. Nicholas and the dastardly Père Fouettard.

Move Over, Krampus: France’s Père Fouettard Is St. Nick’s Sidekick—and Possibly a Brutal Murderer

Père Fouettard, or “Father Whipper,” is a butcher whose favorite pastime is eating children. And hanging out with St. Nicholas.

10 Surprising Facts About René Magritte’s ‘The Son of Man’

René Magritte’s surrealist masterpiece is his most recognized painting—but you may never get to see the real thing.

10 Old-Timey Ways to Say You’re Hungover

Here are 10 colorful phrases of yore to use the day after you partied a tad too passionately.

Actress Bernice Golden as Tess in David Belasco’s stage production of ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles,’ c. 1903.

Remembering Elizabeth Martha Brown, the Convict Who Inspired Thomas Hardy’s ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’

Thomas Hardy’s memorable heroine was modeled after the last woman to be hanged in Dorset, England.

10 Unusual Facts About Toy Giant Hasbro for Its 100th Anniversary

The toy giant best known for assembling G.I. Joe once owned Death Row Records.

Lady Anne Mackintosh, (1723–1787), Jacobite of the Clan Farquharson.

6 Badass Women From Scottish History

Women like Flora MacDonald, Anne Mackintosh, Isabella MacDuff, and more made their mark on Scottish history.

A camel caravan travels along the ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang Province, China.

8 Trade Routes That Shaped World History

Whether they carried salt, incense, or tea, traders on these eight historic roads helped make the world as we know it.

The ATOMIK grain spirit features a wild boar on its label, which the distillers say is a symbol of nature’s resilience.

From Disaster to Distillery: A New (Non-Radioactive) Vodka is Being Made in Chernobyl

Sales of the ATOMIK vodka-like spirit support Ukraine’s recovery from the world’s worst nuclear disaster and from the current war.

What Are Frankincense and Myrrh, Anyway?

Frankincense and myrrh are a fragrant part of traditional Christmas celebrations, but what exactly are these pebble-like perfumes?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Letters From Father Christmas.’

When J.R.R. Tolkien Posed as ‘Father Christmas’ for 23 Years

The Middle-earth author spent some imaginary time in the North Pole for an audience of just four people: his children.

A pub’s name may mean more than meets the eye.

The Stories Behind the 10 Most Popular British Pub Names

British pubs names like the Red Lion, the Crown, and the Royal Oak offer a window into the country’s history.

7 Alleged Pyramid Schemes and Scams

These companies were accused (and sometimes convicted) of engaging in alleged pyramid schemes and other scams.

The Final Days of John Lennon

Shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 1980, John Lennon was gunned down in front of his New York City apartment building by an obsessed fan. This is the story of the days leading up to that tragedy.

18 Fascinating Facts About the Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party was a foundational moment in American history—and it was not without controversy. Honor its 250th anniversary with these surprising facts.

Jacques Louis David’s portrait of Antoine and Marie Anne Lavoisier. Antoine Lavoisier was a chemist during the Enlightenment who was later beheaded.

10 Illuminating Facts About the Enlightenment

The period of scientific, artistic, and political revolutions isn’t known as the “Age of Reason” for nothing.

Watch a Master Woodworker Make a Christmas Ornament

In this 11-minute video, woodworker Frank Howarth makes what he calls an “inside-out Christmas ornament,” complete with a mini-Christmas tree inside.

Charlemagne surrounded by his principal officers by Jules Laure.

13 Facts About Charlemagne, the First King of the Franks

Charlemagne built one of the greatest empires in world history, but less than a century after his death, it was gone.

'TIME' has logged the most intriguing person of the year for nearly a century—and for 2023, that person is Taylor Swift.

Every ‘TIME’ Person of the Year Since 1927

The magazine has named the most newsworthy subjects annually for the past century, with a few surprises.

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