CULTURE

in H.T. Opsahl's classroom, bad kids faced serious repercussions.

H.T. Opsahl, History’s Worst High School Teacher

In 1924, H.T. Opsahl sentenced disruptive kids to a high-voltage electric chair. Parents were not amused. Discover more about the origins of one of history's worst high school teachers here.

Exploring an ice cave in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park.

10 Hidden Gem UNESCO World Heritage Sites Worth Visiting

From waterfalls in Argentina to old-growth trees in Japan, these under-the-radar destinations deserve a spot on your bucket list.

These throwback scents still put us in another time and place.

7 Discontinued Perfumes From the ‘90s and ‘00s That Smelled Amazing

From retired Victoria’s Secret perfumes to fragrances from Calvin Klein and others, these discontinued scents will always be great for a nostalgia trip.

The seal of Anthony Comstock’s New York Society for the Suppression of Vice.

The Moral Policeman: Anthony Comstock’s War on Sex in 1800s New York

Anthony Comstock would stop at nothing to rid the world of explicit photos, birth control, and anything else he deemed a threat to morals.

Get ready to welcome summer, however you see fit.

15 Facts About the Summer Solstice

In 2025, the summer solstice will fall on Friday, June 20. Here are some fascinating facts to celebrate the celestial occasion.

'The Garden Party' by Johann Michael Kupfer.

15 Forgotten Summertime Activities We Need To Bring Back

Ditch your TV, shut down social media, and go outside to try these summer activities from yesteryear.

Villa Baviera was originally a Germany colony known as Colonia Dignidad.

10 Failed Utopias

Inspiring to imagine but nightmarish to live in, these failed communes have become cautionary tales in hubris and ego.

Linz, Austria, isn‘t a popular travel destination, but it should be.

The Top 20 Under-the-Radar Travel Destinations in Europe

Escape the crowds this summer by exploring Europe’s hidden gems—from the artsy city of Linz, Austria, to the medieval time capsule of Carcassonne, France.

Everything You Need to Know About Labubu

Labubu dolls are more than fashion charms—they‘re rare art collectibles with a cult following.

5 Defunct Calendars

Cultures throughout history have come up with their own unique ways to track the days, months, and seasons.

What Do All the Colors in the Pride Flag Stand For?

The Pride Flag first appeared in 1978, but it's evolved a lot since its initial conception. Here's what all the colors really stand for.

A mural titled ‘The Security of the People’ by Seymour Fogel, illustrating the values and programs put forth by the New Deal.

10 New Deal Programs We Now Take For Granted

Nearly 100 years after the Great Depression, Americans are still benefiting from New Deal programs—and their protections and entitlements have become such a part of the social fabric that we often take them for granted. Here are just a few.

Each State’s Most Popular Baby Names, Mapped

See which names your state's new parents chose most often in 2024.

When People Thought Paul From ‘The Wonder Years’ Grew Up to Be Marilyn Manson

Kids in the ’90s swore geeky Paul became shock rocker Marilyn Manson. Did he?

A night at the museum is closer than you may think.

9 Museums Where You Can Spend the Night

If you ever dreamed of being Ben Stiller in “Night at the Museum”, we’ve got the next best thing.

The Greggs sausage roll is the first food wax figure at Madame Tussauds.

Madame Tussauds London Will Display a Wax Sausage Roll Alongside Its Celebrities

A sausage roll is stealing the spotlight at Madame Tussauds, marking a tasty first for the famous wax museum.

Fortunately, the tooth fairy doesn't actually pull teeth.

The Strange Origins of the Tooth Fairy

While the Tooth Fairy herself may be surprisingly modern, the bits of folklore that went into her creation are hundreds of years old.

Queen Victoria wore a lot of black after her husband's death.

5 Ways Royals Shaped Fashion

Royals from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana have left their mark on the world of fashion.

The lore behind America's favorite ballpark snack is pretty fascinating.

Why Is It Called a “Hot Dog”?

Discover the curious origins of America’s favorite ballpark snack and why it’s called a “hot dog” to begin with. (Spoiler: It doesn’t involve any literal dog meat.)

Most Pride celebrations in the U.S. occur in June.

10 Facts About the History of LGBTQ Pride Month

Since 1970, the LGBTQ community has marked June as Pride Month, in part to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a watershed moment in LGBTQ history when patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back against a police raid.

The Multi-Faceted Origins of 12 Birthstone Names

Their etymologies, unearthed.

8 Complaints About the Prom From 70 Years Ago

Grievances from the days of yore.

In 1971, Grover became the star of The Monster at the End of This Book.

8 Fun Facts About ‘The Monster At the End of This Book’

Since it was published in 1971, ‘The Monster at the End of This Book’ has become an iconic entry in the kidlit canon. Here’s what you need to know about the book, which just made a cameo in HBO‘s ‘The Last of Us.’

People now have the privilege of seeing Uluru and Kata Tjuta after the sun goes down.

Travelers Can Spend the Night Near Uluru in Australia for the First Time Ever

The new overnight guided tour through Uluru-Kata Tjuta is filled with nature, history, and culture.