Caitlin Schneider

Young Jack Kerouac's Reading List

The list, scribbled in a notebook in 1940, offers a rare glimpse at the works that would shape Jack Kerouac.... READ ON

Eerie Images Taken By An Early 20th Century Spirit Photographer

Long before the existence of Photoshop, so-called “spirit photographers” were manipulating images to convincing—and haunting—effect.... READ ON

11 Delightful Icelandic Words and Phrases

Hunting for new ways to express yourself that don't involve emojis? Look no further than these charming words and phrases hailing from the land of fire and ice.... READ ON

10 Famous Birthdays to Celebrate in February

Do you share a February birthday with one of these famous people from history, literature, entertainment, and beyond?... READ ON

'Auld Lang Syne' Song History

On New Year’s Eve, after the ball has dropped, revelers queue up 'Auld Lang Syne'—that song that makes you cry, even though you don’t understand it and know almost none of the words.... READ ON

25 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in January

Thanksgiving and Christmas may have already come and gone, but Thomas Crapper Day is on the horizon.... READ ON

Famous Birthdays to Celebrate in August

Some of our favorite historical figures were born in the month of August. We couldn't possibly name them all, but here are just a handful of lives we'll be celebrating.... READ ON

Offbeat May Holidays

From Star Wars Day to National Tap Dance Day, the month of May is full of delightful, offbeat holidays you should be celebrating.... READ ON

Offbeat Holidays to Celebrate in April

Spring is in the air, as is the promise of several offbeat holidays—even if you don’t like pranks or chocolate bunnies.... READ ON

In 1995, You Could Smell Like Kermit the Frog

In the mid-'90s, Kermit the Frog was the face of the 40-year-old Muppet brand and had both a movie and a TV show to promote. So he did what any single-person empire does while sitting atop their celebrity throne: he released a fragrance.... READ ON

Things You Should Do at Least Once a Year

Sometimes it can be harder to keep tabs on those to-dos that need annual attention—but we’ve got you covered.... READ ON

Vintage Christmas Songs to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

These slightly obscure tracks from the early 20th century might just become your new favorite carols.... READ ON

The Oldest Book Store in America Is Possibly Haunted

The Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been around since 1745—and has picked up a resident ghost along the way.... READ ON

Meet Margaret Hamilton: The Woman Behind the Apollo Project

When Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the surface of the Moon in July of 1969, software was a relatively new development. In fact, the Moon mission was one of the first times this kind of engineering was used in such a fundamental way. History was being written that day, and a woman named Margaret Hamilton had authored the code that made it happen.... READ ON

15 Famous Birthdays to Celebrate in July

Have some cake this month on behalf of these important figures in history, art, and pop culture—all of whom were born in July.... READ ON

The Mystery of the Missing Keepers at the Flannan Isles Lighthouse

There was something strange happening on the island of Eilean Mor long before three lighthouse keepers disappeared in the winter of 1900.... READ ON

9 Strange Sounds No One Can Explain

Was that mysterious "bloop" in the ocean made by a whale? Or by something much more mysterious? Investigators still don't know.... READ ON

12 Doomed Facts About the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald

More than 40 years after the most famous ship in Great Lakes history vanished during a storm, the cause is still a mystery.... READ ON

Find the Best Wine to Pair With Your Favorite Halloween Candy

You're going to want a Gewürztraminer with those Jolly Ranchers.... READ ON

15 Secrets of Real Estate Agents

Watch out for the phrase "mature landscaping."... READ ON

15 Amazing Sleeping Habits of Animals

The many weird and wonderful ways animals manage to catch some z's.... READ ON

16 Tips From Famous Authors for Writing Better Poetry

The elusive art of poetry isn’t so hard to master if you know how to set the stage.... READ ON

George Washington’s Incredible Hair Routine

America's Founding Fathers had some truly defining locks. While our first president's hair itself was all real, the color was not.... READ ON

15 Wonderfully Wise Quotes From Judy Blume

Judy Blume was the queen of the YA novel before the concept even existed, inspiring generations of passionate fans—and a fair share of dissenters—in her more than 50-year career.... READ ON

10 Common Crossword Puzzle Words You Should Know

These words rarely show up in real life, but they pop up again and again in the crossword world.... READ ON

15 Empowering Quotes From Elizabeth Cady Stanton

The suffragist, social activist, abolitionist and all around pioneer had a lot to say, and said it well.... READ ON

New LEGO Set Honors NASA’s Female Pioneers

These space trailblazers sure look good in yellow.... READ ON

When Chuck Yeager Tweeted Details About His Historic, Sound Barrier-Breaking Flight

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Air Force pilot's record-breaking achievement.... READ ON

11 of History's Toughest Riddles

Can you solve these?... READ ON

Watch and Listen to Rare Footage of Sigmund Freud

We only have one audio recording of the founder of psychoanalysis, in a message for the BBC in 1938.... READ ON

12 Offbeat Holidays to Celebrate in May

The days are getting longer and warmer, so we know you're in a partying mood. Here are a few ways to channel that energy during the month of May. ... READ ON

This Edible Water Blob Could Change Hydration Forever

Ooho! might be the future's green alternative to plastic bottles.... READ ON

13 Dating Pointers from Casanova

13 Offbeat Holidays to Celebrate in April

Spring has finally sprung, but there's more than melting snow to celebrate this month. Here are 13 quirky (but totally important) holidays to throw a party for.... READ ON

15 Cream-Filled Facts About Oreos

There's a lot to know about the world's favorite cookie.... READ ON

15 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in March

If you're into cute animals, delicious food, beloved figures, or legendary betrayal (yeah), March is the month for you.... READ ON

15 Offbeat Holidays to Celebrate in February

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it still has plenty of quirky celebrations.... READ ON

16 Offbeat Holidays to Celebrate in January

Start the year off right with January's quirkiest celebrations.... READ ON

50 Vintage Christmas Cards From the New York Public Library Archives

These charming designs are good enough to bring back.... READ ON

How 50 Texas Cities Got Their Names

Everything really is bigger in Texas—including the stories of how each city got its name.... READ ON

17 Devilishly Awesome Vintage Krampus Cards

For everyone who didn't make it on the "nice" list.... READ ON

14 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in December

There's a ton of oddball celebrating to be done during the height of the holiday season. There's a ton of oddball celebrating to be done during the height of the holiday season.... READ ON

50 Bright Book Ideas For Everyone on Your List

You can thank us later.... READ ON

7 of History's Most Famous Pairs of Pen Pals

These well known duos lived out their relationships on the page.... READ ON

A Visit With Doctor Laser: New York’s Resident Holographer

An established pioneer in the field offers a peek inside his colorful laboratory.... READ ON

12 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in November

There's a ton of oddball celebrating to be done in between the biggest holidays of the year. There's a ton of oddball celebrating to be done in between the biggest holidays of the year.... READ ON

How to Win the Oreo Twist Game Every Single Time

A group of Princeton graduate students finally figured it out.... READ ON

Harry Houdini Honored at Manhattan Home for the 90th Anniversary of His Death

The Upper East Side locale was the famed magician's first New York City residence.... READ ON

Retrobituaries: Leonora Piper, Turn-of-the-Century Medium

“If you wish to upset the law that all crows are black, it is enough if you prove that one crow is white. My white crow is Mrs. Piper.”... READ ON

Get in the Halloween Spirit With a 1970s Kids’ Book on Ghosts

For anyone who's ever "shivered at shadowy figures in the dark, heard strange sounds in the night, or felt the 'presence' of something mysterious."... READ ON

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