Mental Floss

WAR



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September 16, 1913: In 1912 and 1913, a series of crises centered on Albania repeatedly brought Europe to the edge of war.

Erik Sass






Cleopatra depicted in a calendar print by Beatrice Decker.

Cleopatra famously had relationships with the Roman generals Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Less, however, is remembered about the four children she had with these men.

Sarah McGrath






U.S. soldiers in an M24 Chaffee light tank driving through Bologna, Italy, in 1945.

Did kamikaze pilots really volunteer? Did the U.S. really declare war against the Axis powers directly after Pearl Harbor? We're debunking some of the most common misconceptions about World War II.

Jake Rossen


He may look fierce, but his name is probably "Ragnar the Snoring Softie" or something.

If all your Viking information comes from ‘Hägar the Horrible’ comics and the ‘Vikings’ TV show, you should probably watch this video.

Ellen Gutoskey




Pooli the cat modeling her uniform on her 15th birthday.

Dogs and horses may rightfully claim their share of battlefield glory, but cats have proven themselves just as brave, cunning, and loyal.

Jackie Mead




Jeremy Strong and Sacha Baron Cohen in The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020).

The 1968 Democratic National Convention was marred by protests and five days and nights of violent confrontations between police and protestors. Though many people were arrested, none were as infamous as the Chicago Seven.

Scott Beggs