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Government and Politics


From tragic factory fires to toxic food scandals, some safety laws we may take for granted today actually have some pretty unsettling backstories.
Colin Scanlon|
The WPA helped everyone from Jackson Pollock to Louise Nevelson.
Ellen Gutoskey|
These odd architectural features are remnants of a time when people had to pay if they wanted to look outside.
Tim Brinkhof|
The CIA's encrypted art sculpture has puzzled cryptographers for decades. The man with the answers is finally ready to clue them in.
Jake Rossen|
Fears of nuclear war led to a fleeting craze for fallout shelters stocked with crackers, body bags, and guns.
Jake Rossen|
Tens of thousands of fallout shelter signs, with three yellow triangles in a black circle, are visible on building façades today. They serve as grim reminders of the hottest flashes of the Cold War. So why are they still around?
Tim Brinkhof|
You never want to butt-dial the cops by mistake. But if you do, here’s what happens next.
Jake Rossen|
Residents of Washington, D.C., have no governor, no voting representation in Congress, and only limited local authority. The reason is simple: D.C. isn’t a state. Let’s break down the history and future of D.C. statehood.
Zoë Randolph|

Presidents


Mystery


Misconceptions


The idea that older people need less sleep is just one common misconception.
mentalfloss .com|
If you’ve ever caught yourself sympathizing with ChatGPT, you may have fallen for one of these common misconceptions about AI.
Bethel Afful|
Both the Arctic and Antarctica are cold and icy, but that’s basically where the similarities end. 
Bethel Afful|
Hearing NFTs explained as “non-fungible tokens” only makes sense if you already know what ‘fungible’ means.
Jason Serafino|
Should you be worried about animal attacks when you’re menstruating?
mentalfloss .com|

Royalty


Civil Rights