Austin Thompson

Joined: Jun 27, 2014

Austin is a researcher and app developer from Albuquerque. Despite that, he only knows two extras from Breaking Bad.

What’s the Smallest Country In the World?

Senators can be expelled, but it doesn’t happen often.

Can You Expel a Sitting Senator?

How Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials Got Their Names

The Supreme Court has weighed a convicted person’s right to refuse a pardon in three major cases.

Can a Person Refuse a Presidential Pardon?

You'd be surprised about a few of these theories.

Why Are Red and Green the Colors of Christmas?

While there may be no definite consensus on how red and green became the official colors of Christmas, there are a few interesting explanations.

For a time, people couldn’t make up their minds.

The Debate Behind How to Number a President

Grover Cleveland caused quite the conundrum when he was elected for the second time in 1892 after a four-year break from the Oval Office.

The Surprising History Behind 5 Popular Halloween Costumes

The origins of these classic costumes are probably not what you would expect.

Korneeva_Kristina/iStock/Getty Images Plus

10 of the Best-Selling Books in History (Minus Religious Texts)

From Mao to Harry Potter to Betty Crocker, these are 10 candidates for some of the best-selling books in history.

In the winter of 1861, former president Franklin Pierce found himself accused of treason.

The Bizarre Story Behind How Franklin Pierce Was Accused of Treason

An anonymous letter supposedly from a member of a secret society claimed that Franklin Pierce was involved in treasonous activities against the American government—an accusation that infuriated the former president.

What the @%$!! is the oldest known curse word?

What‘s the Oldest Curse Word in English?

The four-letter words that still have the power to offend took a circuitous route out of our mouths and into our language.

Shakespeare is the source of a lot of words.

21 Words Created by Shakespeare (And 4 That Weren’t)

Shakespeare is the first known citation for over a thousand words and even more meanings—but new research occasionally shows that Shakespeare actually didn't originate some phrases, a trend that will likely continue over time.

Before you start pranking, read up on where April Fools’ Day might have come from.

The Hazy Origins of April Fools’ Day

The origins of April Fools’ Day have long been caught up in myths and legends involving everything from mackerels to calendar switches.

6 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to Be True

Humans love conspiracy theories, and always have—there’s even evidence that ancient Romans had a few. But with the advent of the internet, they seem to be everywhere. And some of them are actually true.

18 Fascinating Facts About the Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party was a foundational moment in American history—and it was not without controversy. Honor its 250th anniversary with these surprising facts.

There’s no denying how cute red pandas are.

12 Facts About Red Pandas

Red pandas have always lived in the shadow of the other, more famous panda. But now it’s time to give them their due.

10 Scientific Benefits of Being a Cat Owner

Studies have shown that just watching cat videos on the internet can boost a person’s energy and create positive emotions—so it’s no surprise that actual cat ownership has a number of benefits. Here are a few.