HISTORY

From 'The Candy House' by Jennifer Egan to 'Tracy Flick Can’t Win' by Tom Perrotta, discover the best books of 2022 according to Mental Floss.

In literary history, there is an undeniable thread of novels that make substantial use of real people and situations, often through a veil of changed names.

There’s no better way to wrap up 2022 than by sharing a whopping 100 things we learned this year, from interesting AI developments to unintentional art heists—and, of course, the results of the 2022 Kids’ Mullet Championships.

In November 1986, Queen Elizabeth II wrote a letter to the people of Sydney, Australia. No one knows its contents, but it cannot be opened until 2085.

Fans of 'The Office' may recognize Belsnickel, but you should also get to know other Christmas monsters like Krampus and the Yule Lads.

From Thomas Edison’s ingenious marketing strategy to Carson Williams’ viral “Wizards of Winter” display, here are some facts about fairy lights to keep you warm throughout the season.

Since the character's inception, Rudolph has more closely resembled a white-tailed deer than the reindeer that live near the North Pole.

The debate about banning “Baby It’s Cold Outside” rages on, but it’s not the only problematic Christmas carol to land on the do-not-play list.

In this episode of The History of Fun, Mental Floss producer and host Justin Dodd traces the topsy-turvy track of roller coaster history and explores the science behind being thrilled.

Charles Dickens appreciated a prize turkey as much as Ebenezer Scrooge did. And on Christmas Eve 1869, his was missing.

According to paternalistic hereditary succession, Charles Edward Stuart was directly in line to the throne.

"Carol of the Bells" was adapted from the Ukrainian composition “Shchedryk,” a New Year’s ballad that doubled as a cry for independence in the aftermath of World War I.