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From blacksmiths to cowboys, these essential jobs defined everyday life on the rugged frontier.
Misconceptions
How a single word changed the meaning of one of history's most famous phrases.
Ernest Hemingway is famous for his drinking, but he never said "write drunk, edit sober." Discover the true, surprising origin of this legendary literary myth.
Most of our ideas of what ancient Greece was like come from Hollywood's misrepresentations.
Life on the American frontier was filled with dangers, and many settlers relied on strange beliefs to make sense of them.
In medieval Europe, couples sometimes got married without attending their own wedding. Here's how proxy marriages actually worked.
That motivational Henry David Thoreau quote might actually be a dupe. From "go confidently in the direction of your dreams" to "happiness is like a butterfly," these lines were never said by Thoreau at all.
Stories of pioneer life have been told through books, movies, and TV shows. But what are the myths?
From Mulan to William Tell, these icons started movements and starred in Disney movies...but weren't actually real.
While Game of Thrones showed the worst side of the bedding ceremony in its third season, the historical tradition is a little more complicated.
Frida Kahlo has become heavily mythologized, but some misconceptions—including her birth year and the idea that she was unknown during her life—are especially persistent.
From secret messages to the Liberty Bell, some of what you might believe about July 4, 1776 and the Declaration of Independence may be entirely incorrect.
Some of the Founding Fathers spread misinformation and owned slaves. Here are five false beliefs you might have about the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.
From insects to the moon, people have mistaken very Earthly phenomena for UFOs many times.
The word 'honeymoon' has been around for centuries, and there are several theories about its history.
The image of Princess Diana that most people have is not entirely accurate. Here are some myths parading as facts about the former Princess of Wales.
From "I used to think I was the strangest person in the world..." to "You deserve a lover who wants you disheveled," we’re debunking the most popular quotes frequently misattributed to Frida Kahlo.
Chlorine actually has a neutral smell—so if your pool smells strongly of chlorine, it's actually not a good sign.
Did Yoko Ono break up the Beatles, and did they all really hate each other following the band's dissolution? Learn the truth about six major Beatles misconceptions.
June 19 marks Juneteenth National Independence Day. Learn more about the history here.
From "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind to Hanson's "MMMBop," these deceptively cheerful '90s songs hid dark messages behind upbeat music.
More From the History Section
Why do people pack garlic, sit on suitcases, or avoid Friday flights? Discover the strange history and folklore behind eight travel superstitions from around the world.
From pianos to towering ferns, wealthy Gilded Age families went the extra mile to display their financial status.
You probably say these words every day without realizing they were born in the Middle Ages.
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years imprisoned, but his letters reveal a man who held on to hope, humor, and an unwavering belief in justice.
From trees that survived the bombs to Sadako Sasaki's thousands of paper cranes, learn about the powerful symbols of hope and nuclear disarmament that emerged in the wake of Hiroshima.
From hearths and looms to combs and ear picks, discover eight everyday household items that helped Viking families cook, work, and live.
The white flag has symbolized surrender for centuries, but its use wasn’t random. Discover why white became the color of capitulation.
The name Satchmo will always be connected with Louis Armstrong's career and legacy, but its origins highlight his eagerness to commit to a good joke.