The Bubonic Plauge, also known as the Black Death, killed at least 75 million people on three continents. Described as the most lethal epidemic in history, the plague began in China in the 1330s and made its way through Europe from 1346 to 1353. In those times, physicians didn't know what was causing the disease to spread, but they did know it was highly contagious. To provide medical care and to protect themselves, doctors of the time invented what is known as the medieval version of a hazmat suit.... READ ON

President Obama recently suggested the retirement of the penny as a way of reducing the federal budget, since it costs nearly two and a half times its face value to mint. While that may not happen any time soon, it’s still interesting to look at some other coins in U.S. history that were retired, were exceptionally rare, or never even made it off the drawing board...... READ ON

First opened on October 27, 1904, the New York City Subway System now has more than 400 stations over the course of 842 miles of track. As one of the world’s oldest underground systems, things have changed since its grand opening more than a century ago. ... READ ON

Yes, but not as often as modern pop culture would have us think.... READ ON