HISTORY

How many of these colors did you know about?

39 Colors You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

A vast vocabulary of words have been invented, borrowed, and accumulated over the centuries to describe almost every color and shade imaginable.

They would have loved learning on tablets.

11 Ways School Was Different in the 1800s

After Labor Day, most kids in the United States will be back to hitting the books, and they’re probably not thrilled about it.

16 Things You Might Not Know About ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’

Katsushika Hokusai's ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ gracefully distills the power of the ocean into a two-dimensional image that's as deceptively simple as it is mesmerizing.

Family having dinner by the road, circa 1930.

10 Curious Recipes From the Depression Era

Grab the gelatin and the hot dogs and head to the kitchen to make these meals from the Great Depression.

If you can do today's crossword puzzles, you can do this one.

Can You Solve the World’s First Crossword Puzzle?

Try your hand at the 1913 diamond grid that kicked off the crossword puzzle craze.

Guests look at a portrait of Henrietta Lacks.

How Henrietta Lacks Became the Mother of Modern Medicine

Though she died of cancer in 1951, Henrietta Lacks's immortal cells became the foundation for countless medical advancements.

People in the 20th century had some odd anti-aging cures to consider.

10 of the 20th Century’s Strangest Anti-Aging Cures

From animal glands to radioactive water, these odd anti-aging cures involved more scheme than science.

12 Famous Birthdays to Celebrate in August

A number of noteworthy historical figures were born in the month of August. We couldn’t possibly name them all, so here are just a handful of lives we’ll be celebrating.

10 Brilliant Facts About Braille

Invented by Louis Braille in 1824, the tactile braille system has helped blind people read and write for nearly 200 years.

You probably didn't read about these ancient kings in history class.

10 Ancient Kings Who Were Too Dramatic For Your History Books

You probably didn't learn about these ancient kings in history class.

16 Charming Old-Fashioned Compliments

Here are a few charming, cute, and kooky kudos from the days of yore.

A National Monument Has Just Been Established to Honor Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley

Emmett Till’s murder—and his mother's fight for justice—will be recognized across three sites in two states.

Coin-operated beds used to be all the rage.

Whatever Happened to Vibrating Beds?

The buzzing mattresses used to be a staple of seedy motels everywhere. Then they disappeared.

General George Washington has the look of a man with more stars than anybody else.

Why George Washington Is History's Only Six-Star General

Thanks to a law passed in 1976, our nation's first president—who died more than 200 years ago—is still the military's highest-ranking official.

People who were up to no good should have been on the lookout for slops (police) who wanted to put them away for neves (seven years).

7 Fun and Fascinating Pieces of Back Slang

Back slang is kind of like a lexical puzzle that everyone from costermongers and criminals of the Victorian era to today’s Wordle fans can appreciate.

More than a century later, the murders at the Hinterkaifeck farm remain unsolved.

The Chilling Story of the Hinterkaifeck Killings, Germany’s Most Famous Unsolved Crime

Did someone hide at the Hinterkaifeck farm in the days before its six residents were found murdered?

Scientists who worked on the Chicago Pile-1, a component of the Manhattan Project. Leo Szilard is pictured in the middle row in the trench coat.

“I Will Have Nothing to Do with a Bomb!”: The Scientists Who Opposed the Manhattan Project

Before J. Robert Oppenheimer had a change of heart, some of his fellow scientists opposed the U.S. government’s plan to make and deploy an atomic bomb.

10 Fascinating Facts About J. Robert Oppenheimer

The enigmatic physicist at the center of Christopher Nolan's newest film may have come to regret being known as the “Father of the Atomic Bomb.”

Trosky Castle was built atop volcanic plugs in the Czech Republic.

10 Wondrously Unusual Castles From Around the World

From Europe's smallest castle to a fortress built into a cliff, these unique castles all break the mold.

5 European Princesses Who Are Preparing to Reign

In the coming decades, five princesses are expected to ascend the thrones of Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden.

Lady Gaga wearing the Tiffany Diamond at the 91st Annual Academy Awards.

10 of the World’s Most Controversial Gemstones

Precious stones like the Cullinan Diamond, the Tiffany Diamond, and the Koh-i-noor Diamond have troubled histories.

A hand-carved totem pole in Vancouver's Stanley Park.

8 Ways to Experience Indigenous Heritage in One Canadian Province

Indigenous-led tourism is driving a cultural revival in British Columbia. Here's how to experience the Canadian province's 10,000-year-old traditions.

(From left to right) W.E.B. Du Bois, Che Guevara, and Empress Dowager Cixi.

15 Historical Figures’ Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

Here’s how to pronounce ‘Elie Wiesel,’ ‘Cixi,’ and 13 other famous names from history.

The Riveting Reason Blue Jeans Have Those Little Metal Studs Over the Pockets

If you’re wearing jeans, you’ll probably spot some tiny metal rivets surrounding the front pockets. Like a lot of details in life, we’ve become accustomed to seeing them. So why are they there?

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