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We all have our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, but do other U.S. residents feel the same about them?
CaLea Johnson|Nov 1, 2024

The Discoveries of 21 Human Ancestors, Mapped

Within the last 200 years, we’ve discovered about two dozen species of hominins in Europe, Africa, and Asia—which you can see laid out in this map.
Kat Long|Nov 1, 2024

Recently Discovered ‘Toadlet’ Is One of Smallest Vertebrates on Earth

Researchers just described one of the tiniest frogs known to science.
CaLea Johnson|Nov 1, 2024

Why Is It Called a ‘Grandfather Clock’?

The imposing clocks have an origin story, but it doesn't have much to do with any actual grandfathers.
Jake Rossen|Nov 1, 2024

10 Famous Hominin Fossils That Changed Our Thinking About Human Origins

Each of these ancient fossils, even if just a small part of a skeleton, represents an identifiable character in the story of humankind.
Claire Cock-Starkey|Nov 1, 2024

Polar Bears Are Picking Up More Pathogens as Sea Ice Shrinks

Researchers recently found that polar bears are facing higher exposure to certain bacteria and viruses.
CaLea Johnson|Oct 31, 2024

How to Maximize Your Vacation Days in 2025

Americans get an average of only 11 vacation days per year. Use them wisely.
Tim Brinkhof|Oct 31, 2024

Where Does the Phrase ‘May You Live In Interesting Times’ Actually Come From?

This common phrase is often used during times of political uncertainty, and has even been described as an ancient Chinese curse. History says otherwise, though.
Marla Mackoul|Oct 31, 2024

Struggling to Thread a Needle? Try Using a Toothbrush

If you have an old toothbrush lying around, you never have to stress over threading a needle again.
Marla Mackoul|Oct 31, 2024

Crunched For Time? Butterball Has a New Turkey You Won’t Have to Thaw

Save some time and energy with Butterball’s new “cook from frozen” turkey.
CaLea Johnson|Oct 31, 2024

The 10 Most-Searched Slang Terms in 2024

Are all these new slang terms confusing you? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
CaLea Johnson|Oct 31, 2024

Why Do We Call Dogs Fido?

“Fido” is a name that has become synonymous with all things dog. But where did the name come from?
Meredith Danko|Oct 31, 2024

15 Amazing Facts About Queen Elizabeth I

She spoke multiple languages, defeated Spain’s powerful navy, and never accepted a marriage proposal. Discover more fascinating facts about Queen Elizabeth I and her reign.
Editorial Staff|Oct 24, 2024

How Does Anesthesia Work?

Anesthesia is a complex mixture of medications that lessen pain during procedures. Different types affect the body in different ways.
CaLea Johnson|Oct 30, 2024

How All 50 States Got Their Names

Some state name origins are obvious—but others pose an etymological mystery.
Ellen Gutoskey, Jake Rossen|Oct 30, 2024

A 51,200-Year-Old Cave Painting Might Be the World’s Oldest Narrative Art

The drawing of three human figures with a pig was discovered in an Indonesian cave—and might be the world’s oldest art that tells a story.
Tim Brinkhof|Jul 3, 2024

9 Facts About the Denisovans, Our Mysterious Human Ancestor

The Denisovans went extinct around 30,000 years ago. Scientists are just beginning to unravel their genetic legacy.
Claire Cock-Starkey|Apr 23, 2024

New Fossils Add to Mystery Surrounding the “Hobbit,” Our Smallest Human Ancestor

A fragment of an arm bone found on Flores, Indonesia, suggests that some of our human ancestors were even smaller than we thought.
Nick Keppler|Aug 6, 2024

Des Moines, Iowa, Will Let Kids Trick or Treat on Halloween for the First Time Since 1938

Begging for candy on October 31 was banned after kids set one too many fires.
Jake Rossen|Oct 30, 2024

8 Facts about Olduvai Gorge, the “Cradle of Mankind”

The gorge in northern Tanzania has yielded many of the oldest fossils of humankind, shedding new light on our ancient ancestors.
Claire Cock-Starkey|Aug 26, 2024
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