HISTORY

19 Brilliant Facts About Albert Einstein

Once a simple patent clerk, Albert Einstein changed the world with his theories of special and general relativity.

Clockwise from top left: Shirley Chisholm, Clara Barton, Ellen Ochoa, Nellie Bly, Josephine Baker, Mary Pickford, Maya Angelou, Amelia Earhart, Kalpana Chawla, and Kamala Harris.

130 Amazing Women Who Changed the World

From singers to scientists and athletes to activists, here are 130 amazing women who have changed the world for the better.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths of writes like Francis Bacon, Edgar Allan Poe, and Mark Twain were anything but ordinary.

13 Authors Whose Deaths Were Stranger Than Fiction

Unusual deaths aren’t just found on the page. A number of authors have themselves died in bizarre ways—and sometimes, they seem even stranger than fiction.

Taxidermied lions in a diorama at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Taxidermy

Think all there is to taxidermy is stuffing an animal? Think again. Since the days of William Hornaday and Carl Akeley, taxidermy has been a scientific art.

A map of the world's undersea cables in 2015.

10 Deep Facts About the Internet’s Undersea Cables

The internet is really just a spaghetti-work of really long wires found in the coldest depths of the ocean.

'The Coffin Man': Michael “Mick” Meaney, Who Volunteered to Be Buried Alive for 61 Days

One of the hottest fads of the 1960s was being buried alive. Irishman Mike Meaney thought he could take the title away from a Texan.

Some early explorers went looking for an legendary land named “Ultima Thule”—which may have been inspired by Iceland.

10 Legendary (and Probably Made-Up) Islands

These imaginary isles all have a place in world history, literature, or mythology—despite not having a place on the map.

World War I brought aircraft carriers into the action.

12 Technological Advancements of World War I

The Great War was a time of terrible tragedy, but also led to some inventions that had a lasting impact on society.

12 Awesome Facts About Althea Gibson

Gibson was the first Black athlete to win a Grand Slam tennis event—and she also played pro golf.

Why Is It Called “Corned Beef” If It Doesn’t Contain Corn?

Corned beef and cabbage has beef, cabbage, and not a speck of corn. What gives?

Left to right: Oscar Polk, Vivien Leigh, and Hattie McDaniel in 'Gone With the Wind.'

An Early ‘Gone With the Wind’ Script Shows a Much Harsher, More Accurate Depiction of Slavery

The film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's ‘Gone With the Wind’ movie has long been condemned for romanticizing slavery. Some screenwriters had tried to paint a more honest picture.

10 Star-Studded Facts About the Hollywood Sign

When developers put up a larger-than-life advertisement for their new L.A. housing development in 1923, they had no idea it would become one of the most iconic landmarks of all time.

11 Facts About Boudica, Warrior Queen of the Iceni

We take a closer look at the life and demise of the wronged queen who lent her name to a rebellion when she took on the might of—what was at the time—the world’s largest empire.

The deck of the Ironton beneath Lake Huron.

Newly-Discovered Lake Huron Shipwreck Paints Grim Picture of Vessel’s Final Moments

After lying at the bottom of Lake Huron for more than a century, the wreck of the ‘Ironton’ has been discovered, confirming its tragic fate.

12 Fascinating Facts About Zelda Fitzgerald

The '80s video game 'Legend of Zelda' was definitely named after "America's first flapper." Learn more incredible facts about Zelda Fitzgerald here.

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, then–Duchess of Cornwall, at the Royal Ascot in 2013.

Queen vs. Queen Consort: What’s the Difference?

If you know the meaning of ‘consort,’ you can probably guess what a queen consort is.

Hughes was often called "The People's Poet."

8 Fascinating Facts About Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was a poet, novelist, playwright, and reporter who helped define the Harlem Renaissance. Find out more about his life and work.

4 People Who Were Buried Alive (And How They Got Out)

While many reported cases of burials of the living were exaggerated, there are a few cases of people who went into their graves while still breathing.

How the TV Dinner Revolutionized American Life

How the humble TV dinner changed American life in the mid-20th century.

83 Old Slang Phrases We Should Bring Back

History is full of fun, fascinating old school slang terms that are well overdue for a comeback.

The Train Crash That Spooked Charles Dickens

In 1865, author Charles Dickens survived a train crash—and he was never the same.

Have these terms on hand the next time you toot.

30 Different Ways to Say "Fart"

Over the course of history, the human race has come up with many delightfully creative ways to describe the act of breaking wind.

Duke Ellington with members of his orchestra in New York, 1946.

9 Facts About Duke Ellington

Time to press play on “Take the ‘A’ Train” and find out how Edward Ellington became the Duke.

The Dale car promised to revolutionize the auto industry. Too bad it never really existed.

Motor Con: How Liz Carmichael and Her Dale Car Took Everyone for a Ride

In 1975, upstart automaker Liz Carmichael promised a $2000 car with a space-age body and incredible fuel economy. The only problem? It didn't exist.

Prev Next