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Larry Kramer in Manhattan's Washington Square in 2007.

While co-founding two of the most influential HIV/AIDS organizations in the U.S., he still had time to pen a landmark play and be nominated for an Academy Award.

Shannon Leigh O'Neil


A lot of the methods involved pee.

Before home pregnancy tests, the most reliable test was just to wait and see. But people still wanted to know as early as possible whether they were harboring a tiny human.

Linda Rodriguez McRobbie


Whether you enjoy the velvety skin on peaches or peel it off, you may wonder why they developed fuzz in the first place. 

Michele Debczak




















Not all Manx cats are tailless like this one.

Manx cats can have tails of varying lengths, but only “rumpies” or “rumpy risers” are eligible to compete in the championship classes in CFA cat shows.

Kirstin Fawcett
These books altered history in ways big and small.

Here, in no particular order, are just a few of history’s most influential tomes—and how they made humanity look at things in a new light.

April Snellings, mentalfloss .com