HISTORY

22 Fascinating Facts About Broadway

From the time Mae West got arrested mid-performance to the 'Carrie' musical that failed in spectacular fashion, here's what you need to know about the weird and wonderful history of the Great White Way.

Four UFOs appeared in the sky at 9:35 a.m. on July 15, 1952 over a parking lot in Salem, Massachusetts.

Think You Spotted a UFO? See What the 1952 Questionnaire for Reporting Sightings Looked Like

Project Blue Book's questionnaire had sections for describing UFOs and even sketching pictures.

The widely traveled 'Gemma Constantiniana'

The Strange and Bloody Journey of the 'Gemma Constantiniana'

The priceless 'Gemma Constantiniana'—an Imperial Roman cameo nearly 1 foot wide—survived the collapse of empires, crusades, and shipwrecks.

French gunners during World War I, circa 1914.

5 Misconceptions About World War I

We're shedding light on some common misconceptions about World War I, including who was actually involved and when the fighting officially ended.

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

15 Big Facts About the Lincoln Memorial

Seated proudly at the west end of Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial is one of the most beloved American monuments. Here are a few things to know on its 100th anniversary.

Faye Dunaway as notorious gangster Bonnie Parker and Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow in 'Bonnie & Clyde' (1967)

10 Notorious Female Gangsters

Though organized crime tends to be a boys' club, there have been a slate of deadly women who have broken into its ranks.

16 Brutal Teddy Roosevelt Insults

Though he wasn’t fond of swearing, Theodore Roosevelt didn't always speak softly—he was capable of delivering a brutal insult when he felt it was appropriate.

How Ruth’s Chris Steak House Got Its Tongue-Twisting Name—Which Ruth Herself Hated

The Ruth’s Chris name origin story involves a woman named Ruth, a guy named Chris, and a kitchen fire.

Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii.

9 Facts About Liliʻuokalani, the Last Queen of Hawaii

From her unusual namesake to her indelible contributions to pop culture, here are nine things you might not know about Liliʻuokalani, Hawaii’s only sovereign queen.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Hart-Celler Act.

9 Facts About the Hart-Celler Act

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 irrevocably changed the face of the United States.

Some of the old advice still rings true today.

20 Pieces of Advice From Old Tudor Proverbs

Even the Tudors knew not to shoot the messenger (even if they phrased it a little differently).

The Tollense Valley battle site contains hundreds of victims.

10 Prehistoric Battle Sites Around the World

We sometimes think human prehistory was much more peaceful than today. But archaeological evidence suggests otherwise.

Fun fact: The Brooklyn Bridge has hidden wine cellars.

The Brooklyn Bridge Contains Secret Wine Cellars

The empty vaults beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in New York were used to store wine a century ago.

If you see a magpie, have an onion ready.

The History of 12 British Superstitions

When it comes to weird and wacky superstitions, the United Kingdom has developed some real oddities

'Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!' A Crushing History of Monster Trucks

With 66-inch wheels, Bigfoot could crush puny sedans like bugs—and America was here for it.

A Brief History of Paris's Bone-Filled Catacombs

In Paris, what’s beneath the sidewalks is as exciting as the monuments that tower above them.

Earwax Lip Balm, Egg Laundry Detergent, and 27 Other Old-Timey Life Hacks

Sure, the Victorians had some odd life hacks for cleaning and cooking that actually worked. But should you pour borax in your milk? No.

Beauty pageant contestants at the National Rice Festival in Crowley, Louisiana.

10 Unusual Mid-Century Pageant Queens

In the mid-20th century, businesses began to see the huge commercial possibilities of holding a contest where pretty girls would compete just for the honor of representing their product or main export.

Would you hop into a coffin to better yourself?

Sell-Shocked: The Pyramid Schemer Who Convinced His Targets to Climb Into Coffins

“Self-help seminars” that consisted of psychological torture and physical abuse were just one of William Penn Patrick’s schemes.

10 Surprising Facts About Malcolm X

The civil rights activist was far more complex than his historical image as a firebrand suggests. Read on for more facts about Malcolm X.

They're talking about cows, cats, and curls.

9 Dirty Words With Completely Appropriate Secondary Definitions

From ‘titty’ to ‘boner,’ these rude words aren’t actually always rude.

Get ready to level up your Royal Family trivia.

41 Facts About the 41 Kings and Queens Since 1066

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, here is one fact about each of Britain’s 41 kings and queens since 1066.

(L to R) Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Cholmondeley, Colin Firth as Ewen Montagu, and Johnny Flynn as Ian Fleming in 'Operation Mincemeat' (2022).

The True Story Behind ‘Operation Mincemeat’: How Hitler Fell for Britain’s Most Daring—And Disgusting—Deception

Major William Martin was a Roman Catholic Welshman who enjoyed the theater and loved his fiancée, Pam. He also didn’t exist—but the Nazis didn’t know that.

An Unidentified Flying Object in the sky over Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia.

24 Fascinating Facts About UFOs

From the time the White House had a close run-in with unidentified flying objects (a.k.a. UFOs) to the truth behind what happened at Roswell, New Mexico, these are UFO facts you need to know.

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