

Weird

The U.S. Ghost Town That Periodically Rises Out of a Lake
St. Thomas was a thriving town before it was submerged by Lake Mead—but it didn't stay sunken.
4 Eerie Coincidences That Changed History
From the accidental discovery of penicillin to the wrong turn that helped spark World War I, explore four remarkable coincidences that changed the course of history.
5 Places Around the World That Seem to Defy Gravity
From waterfalls that fall upwards to leaning towers and boulders teetering on the edges of hillsides, these places all seem to break the rules of gravity.
Historical Figures Born the Same Year (Who Feel Like They Weren't)
Discover surprising historical figures born in the same year, from Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. to Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth II.
7 Bizarre Bits of Insomnia Advice From History
From rubbing dormouse fat on the feet to drinking morphine, these old insomnia cures may have done more harm than good.
7 Times People Claimed to Have Been Reincarnated
From a boy who claimed he remembered life as a World War II pilot to a girl who said she remembered the man who was her husband in her past life, these stories have mystified generations.
8 Children’s Toys With Disturbing Backstories
The stories behind these toys are not as wholesome as we'd like to believe.
Why Do Different Cultures Drink Alcohol Out of Shoes?
We're looking into the how and why a trend of drinking alcohol out of shoes came about.
6 Unusual Libraries That Aren’t Home to Books
These locations across the globe deliver unique experiences, from the Human Library to the Sourdough Library and more.
6 Laws in History That Sound Absurd But Actually Make Sense
They might not make sense now, but these laws were created out of necessity.
5 Animals That Might Show Up In Your Toilet to Terrify You
Always look before you sit.
5 Dangerous Things That Were Once Considered Medicine—From Mummy Consumption to Milk Transfusions
These historical practices were once considered good for one’s health, shockingly.
11 Odd Vintage New Year’s Cards
Forget images of glittery champagne bottles and fireworks bursting over snow-covered cities. From dancing pigs to unnerving children, these vintage postcards were a more unusual way to ring in the new year.
17 Awesome—and Mysterious—Time Capsules
These captivating time capsules contain far more than just old newspaper clippings.
5 Christmas Superstitions You Probably Never Knew Existed
From yule goats bringing good luck to refraining from changing your underwear, these surprising superstitions once took over the holidays.
6 of the Strangest Snow and Ice Formations in Nature
These unusual formations are worth a second look.
10 Horrifying Historical Hygiene Practices
Toilet paper and toothpaste have come a long, long way.
10 of History's Greatest Flops
It doesn’t take a consumer expert to know that any product that might cause anal leakage is facing an uphill battle to success.
The Surprising Origins of America’s “World’s Largest Ball of Twine” Craze
There are multiple “largest” balls of twine, and all you have to do is travel to the Midwest to find them. We break down the history here.
5 Bizarre Trials That Called Ghosts Into Court
Though it’s not often that the paranormal and legal intersect, the line between hauntings and hearings has occasionally been blurred. These five cases used “spectral evidence” to render verdicts.More From the Culture Section

See the Highest-Paid Job in Every State, Mapped
Jobs in healthcare top the rankings list.
Why Are Pencils Yellow?
Why are so many pencils painted yellow? The answer traces back to a prizewinning pencil, luxury branding, and graphite imported from China.
Why Do We Mow Lawns?
Why do we mow lawns? The tradition dates back centuries, when neatly trimmed grass was a luxury reserved for Europe's wealthiest landowners.
5 Early Internet Habits Kids Today Would Never Understand
From former search engines to the not-so-easy way to get online, younger generations have no idea what we once dealt with.
5 Weird Currencies Once Used Around the World
From dog teeth and snail shells to tea bricks and salt bars, these strange currencies show just how creative humans have been when it comes to money.
Why Is a Typical Workday 9 to 5?
Why do so many Americans work 9 to 5? The familiar schedule grew out of labor activism, federal law, and innovations introduced by Henry Ford.
5 Of the Weirdest Things Americans Were Once Afraid Of
From games to food, Americans believed there was good reason to avoid these things.

