HISTORY

A Cool History of Ice Cream

James Madison's wife was partial to oyster ice cream.

7 Ways People Woke Up Before Alarm Clocks

You couldn't hit the snooze button on these wake-up calls.

The Reason So Many British Pubs Are Named ‘The Red Lion’

There are more than 500 pubs in the United Kingdom called The Red Lion. It all traces back to King James VI and I.

The Forgotten Fifth Line of the “Something Old, Something New” Bridal Poem

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue—and something else, too?

The diners of the 1950s featured a sleek, space age design.

The Delicious History of the Diner

The history of diner dining, from their Lunch Wagon ancestors to those “We Are Happy to Serve You” take-out cups—and what the future might hold for these beloved establishments.

Patrick Henry delivers his famous "give me liberty" speech.

10 Facts About Patrick Henry

He’s best remembered for saying “Give me liberty or give me death,” but did Henry actually utter those words?

The Original Version of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson was not happy about some of the edits made to his draft. Here's what didn't make the final cut.

People have spent a long time coming up with interesting ways to beat the heat.

9 Creative Ways People Kept Cool Before Air Conditioning

People have come up with a range of ingenious, harebrained, and sometimes grim but often remarkable ways to stay cool during a summer scorcher.

6 Fascinating Facts About Geoffrey Chaucer

'The Canterbury Tales' author Geoffrey Chaucer's work spanned poetry and prose and ranged from the humorous to the scientific—but there's so much more to know about the "father of English poetry."

What Exactly Is Canada Day?

Here’s a brief history of Canada’s national day—which celebrates the joining of the three original provinces—and how you can celebrate.

Gilbert Baker created the rainbow flag in 1978.

How the Rainbow Flag Became Associated With LGBTQ+ Rights

How the rainbow became specifically associated with LGBTQ+ rights goes back to San Francisco in the late 1970s, and to one artist in particular.

'It's a Wonderful Life' got an '80s makeover.

‘Colorizers’: When Ted Turner and Hollywood Clashed Over Colorizing Classic Movies

Media mogul Ted Turner didn’t hesitate to alter classic Hollywood movies, claiming: “The last time I checked, I owned the films.”

Visitors to the Louvre looking at the 'Mona Lisa.'

16 Things You Didn’t Know About the ‘Mona Lisa’

Her tricky smile and timeless allure have inspired academic study and artistic emulation for more than five centuries. But the story of this perplexing portrait of 'Mona Lisa' is even richer than it looks.

10 of History’s Most Amazing Survival Stories

Most of us never find ourselves in a battle for our lives. That makes these incredible survival stories all the more memorable.

Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera sporting stars and stripes during a Fourth of July game in 2017.

The Star-Spangled Batter: A Brief History of Baseball on the Fourth of July

Fourth of July baseball games have been popular since the Civil War era. Here’s how the tradition started.

You probably shouldn’t do it—unless there really is a fire.

Is It Illegal to Falsely Shout 'Fire' in a Crowded Theater?

Back in 1919, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. sort of made it seem like it was against the law to yell “fire“ while in a crowded theater, so we understand if you’re confused.

Did Alan Turing Inspire the Apple Logo?

Apple's iconic logo is rumored to have been inspired by Eve's bite into the apple of knowledge, Newton's discovery of gravity, and Alan Turing's untimely end. Are any of these stories true?

You'll never look at time the same way again.

17 Facts That Will Warp Your Sense of Time

From prehistoric animals that lived much closer to us temporally than you might realize to the guillotine lasting way beyond the French Revolution, these facts are to mess with your perception of time.

John Adams predicted people would celebrate Independence Day with fireworks.

The History of Fourth of July Fireworks

The celebration of American Independence Day has never been small, subdued, or quiet. Here’s why the Fourth of July is illuminated with colorful displays in major cities, small towns, and backyards.

Look closely, and you will see Mary Katharine Goddard’s name at the bottom of the Declaration of Independence.

Remembering Mary Katharine Goddard, the Only Woman Whose Name Appeared on the Declaration of Independence

Mary Katharine Goddard was one of America’s first publishers, and she was tasked with printing and delivering the Declaration of Independence to the 13 colonies.

Marsha P. Johnson bust at the Stonewall National Monument at Christopher Park in New York City.

8 Facts About Transgender Activist Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson was a relentless advocate for gay rights, best known for her involvement in the Stonewall Uprising and tireless efforts to protect those in her community.

From left: Bayard Rustin, Edith Windsor, Laverne Cox, and Martina Navratilova.

11 LGBTQ Pioneers You Should Know

The fight for LGBTQ rights has been decades in the making. Meet a few of the trailblazers who won the battles.

Johnny Cash had a violent encounter with a dangerous bird.

Angry Bird: When Waldo the Ostrich Tried to Kill Johnny Cash

An ornery bird once tried to disembowel the Man in Black.

A Gory Toy Story: The Horrible History of the Evilstick

Hidden inside a toy princess wand sold in dollar stores lurked a horrifying image—one that scared kids silly.

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