WAR

11 Facts About the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Find out more about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, from the first soldier ever interred in it to the rigorous process of guarding it.

Never underestimate the power of belief.

‘Dogged by Death’: The True Story Behind the Bizarre Syndrome That Inspired ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’

Here’s how a wave of mysterious deaths in the late 1970s and early 1980s among Southeast Asian refugees living in America inspired Wes Craven to pen his 1984 horror classic, “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

These spots aren't for the faint of heart.

10 Haunting Dark Tourism Destinations From Around the World

From Auschwitz to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, these dark tourism destinations are fascinating—and definitely not for the faint of heart.

These cats went to sea and to space, and inspired artists, writers, and scientists.

17 of History's Coolest Cats

Anyone with a cat will probably argue that their feline is the coolest—but there have been at least a few other candidates through the ages, from Able Seacat Simon to Abraham Lincoln’s kitties to the feline that inspired Nikola Tesla.

The U.S. government recruited a (phony) vampire-esque creature.

False Fang: When the CIA Staged a Vampire Attack

In the 1950s, American counterinsurgents decided to play into Philippine folklore by orchestrating a deadly 'vampire' attack.

Scientists who worked on the Chicago Pile-1, a component of the Manhattan Project. Leo Szilard is pictured in the middle row in the trench coat.

“I Will Have Nothing to Do with a Bomb!”: The Scientists Who Opposed the Manhattan Project

Before J. Robert Oppenheimer had a change of heart, some of his fellow scientists opposed the U.S. government’s plan to make and deploy an atomic bomb.

A detail from ‘Napoleon Crossing the Alps’ by Jacques-Louis David

15 Epic Facts About Napoleon Bonaparte

One of the most fascinating figures to ever live was born 246 years ago.

8 Awesome Mustaches of World War I

Facial hair as aggressive as the World War I combatants.

4 Big Misconceptions About Spies

No, spies aren't all focused on national security. Yes, the CIA did deploy a mission called Operation Acoustic Kitty.

A photograph on display at the Bradbury Science Museum at Los Alamos National Laboratory shows the first thermonuclear test on October 31, 1952.

9 Explosive Facts About the Manhattan Project

America’s greatest physicists assembled under the Manhattan Project to create the deadliest weapon the world had ever seen—an atomic bomb.

The combat veteran is the first Asian American woman from Illinois ever elected to Congress.

17 Things You Might Not Know About Tammy Duckworth

From serving in the Iraq War to becoming the first U.S. senator to give birth in office, Tammy Duckworth has an impressive history of overcoming adversity with grit and humor.

War is hell. Sometimes, it's only for about an hour, though.

6 of the Shortest Wars in History

Some wars can take centuries. Others can take, oh, about 45 minutes.

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.

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.

Protestors or carol singers? The answer's not so simple.

Carol of the Bells: How a Ukrainian Protest Song Became a Christmas Staple

"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.

Seven years of bad luck would seem like a walk in the park to these people.

10 of the Unluckiest People in History

Grab your lucky rabbit’s foot and read up on the tales of some of the unluckiest people in history, from the man whose backyard became a battlefield (twice!) to an absurdly accident-prone instrument inventor and beyond.

The Wreck of the ‘Äpplet’—Sister Ship of Sweden’s Infamous ‘Vasa’—Has Been Found After More Than Three Centuries

‘Äpplet’ had a more successful naval career than its short-lived sibling, the ‘Vasa.’ Studying its wreck could help explain why.

10 Battles That Changed History

From the World War II engagement that helped instigate a medical breakthrough to the devastating attack that indirectly contributed to the Renaissance, these battles altered the course of history.

The Eiffel Tower displays the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

The Eiffel Tower Is Going Dark Over an Hour Earlier—Here’s Why

The war in Ukraine is having more unintended consequences, including a new lights-out policy at one of the world's most famous attractions.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon.

8 Cities That Have Changed Names

Some of the most well-known cities in the world have gone through at least one name change.

Paddy Considine, Sian Brooke, Michael Carter, Steve Toussaint, and Eve Best in 'House of the Dragon.'

The Anarchy: The Real Civil War That Inspired 'House of the Dragon'

The Middle Ages may not have been crawling with ice zombies or dragons, but much of the HBO hit 'House of the Dragon'—and its predecessor, 'Game of Thrones'—is taken from real history.

The origin of the smoke detector might surprise you.

The Unusual Origin Stories of 9 Everyday Household Items

What was Kleenex originally used for? The product’s fascinating history has ties to Kotex and World War I.

Why Do Some License Plates Feature a Gold Star?

The Gold Star Family license plate has its roots in a custom that began during World War I.

11 Facts About the Battle of Gettysburg

The three-day Civil War battle was a badly needed win for the North—but like all victories, it came with a price.

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