A good pitchman can boost any product's name recognition with some high-quality shilling. A bad one, on the other hand, can quickly ruin the brand images that companies spend years and millions carefully honing. Take for instance these guys and gals, each of whom was given their walking papers following a scandal, public embarrassment, or bout of... READ ON

Athletes traveling to Beijing for the Olympics next month will be equipped with uniforms for every occasion. Besides specifically designed sport uniforms, most will also have clothing to represent their nation as a unified team. These formal and/or leisure uniforms are used for official functions, press conferences, and the opening (formal) and closing (leisure)... READ ON

On the night of September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet, accompanied American Prisoner Exchange Agent Colonel John Stuart Skinner to negotiate a prisoner release with several officers of the British Navy. During the negotiations, Key and Skinner learned of the British intention to attack the city of Baltimore, as well as strength and positions of British forces. They were held captive for the duration of the battle and witnessed the bombardment of Baltimore's Fort... READ ON

1. HOT DOGS: As if Americans didn't have enough to worry about with baseball's murky origins (after all, the sport evolved from European games such as cricket and rounders), our national pastime's food of choice has identity problems of its own. Hardly an American innovation, hot dog"“like sausages were wolfed down regularly in Germany way back in the 17th century. In fact, the term "frankfurter" came about because the meaty treats were ridiculously popular in... READ ON