CULTURE

Leo Tolstoy with grandchildren Leo and Sofia, 1909

Inside the Tolstoy Family Reunion

Author Leo Tolstoy had a big family with his wife, Sophia. Now, you can get an inside glimpse at what a family reunion is like for his living descendants.

A Hefty History of Fat Bear Week

Take a look at the origins of Fat Bear Week, an annual celebration of the brown bears at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Reserve.

Alpacas vs. Llamas: What’s the Difference?

They’re both in the camel family and live in South America, but alpacas and llamas aren’t the same species.

25 Outrageous Quotes from Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí had a lot of interesting things to say about art, ambitions, and more.

Whitewater rafters carry the Olympic torch on its way to Paris.

How Is the Olympic Flame Lit—and How Does It Stay Lit?

This year, the Olympic torch made a symbolic journey from Greece to Paris for the Summer Games.

Get ready to welcome summer, however you see fit.

15 Facts About the Summer Solstice

In 2024, the summer solstice will fall on Thursday, June 20. Here are some fascinating facts to celebrate the celestial occasion.

10 Charming Chinese Idioms and Proverbs (and Their Origins)

From ghosts that eat tofu to an angry Buddha and beyond.

What kid wouldn’t love listening to a song with their name in it?

The 20 Most Popular Music-Inspired Baby Names

Some of the monikers reflect musical terms and characteristics, while others are a nod to famous musicians and songs.

She probably wound up with bug bites in some very uncomfortable places.

The Best U.S. Cities for Gardening Naked

Like gardening naked? You may want to move to one of these cities.

The 15 Best Gen X Movies of All Time

From blockbuster comedies to queer rom-coms, the best Gen X movies reflected the society of their time.

Detainees at California's Manzanar War Relocation Center.

Researchers Have Published a List Honoring the More Than 125,000 Japanese Americans Incarcerated During WWII

The Irei Project and Ancestry have teamed up to publish the most comprehensive list ever assembled of the more than 125,000 Japanese Americans who were incarcerated on American soil during WWII.

The Most Common Last Name in Every Country, Mapped

The names were put into one of six different categories: ancestral, occupational, geographical, toponymic (or place name), personal characteristics, and patronage.

We invented jewelry (such as this ancient Egyptian beaded necklace) before we invented the wheel.

11 Inventions That Came Before the Wheel

In the scope of human history, the wheel is actually a rather young creation. Beer, clothing, and jewelry are much older.

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), once referred to as a "sweet summer child."

10 Common Phrases That Came From Pop Culture

From mullet to bucket list, these terms from pop culture are newer than you may have assumed.

Generation Alpha Slang: 10 Terms That Will Help You Show More Rizz

Discover the meanings and origins behind 10 of the most popular bits of Generation Alpha slang, from “skibidi” to “rizz” (and everything in between).

10 Fascinating Facts About Salman Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children’

When “Midnight’s Children” was released in 1981, The New York Times pronounced that “the literary map of India is about to be redrawn.” Here’s what you should know about the novel that introduced the authorial voice of Salman Rushdie.

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

Discover how the different generation names for Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials came to be.

In Russia, people may 'kidnap' the bride.

Surprising Wedding Traditions From Around the World

In South Korea, newlyweds receive carved wooden ducks. In Russia, brides get kidnapped.

Not all Millennials relate to the stereotypical Millennial narrative.

The Two Types of Millennials, and the Differences Between Them

A generational expert divides Millennials into “me-llennials” and “mega-llennials.” Which group you belong to depends on your career and financial success.

97 Facts About Generation X

The generation born between 1965 and 1980 loves nostalgia, has a ton of student debt, and hates cooking.

According to one famous hoax, that moon is full of unicorns.

The 14 Greatest Hoaxes of All Time

History's greatest hoaxes are proof that with effort and a little luck, you can fool a lot of the people, all of the time.

In the latter half of the 20th century, sushi went from exotic delicacy to all-American food.

A Brief History of America's Sushi Obsession

The history of sushi in the U.S. can be traced back to the 1970s.

In the South, all sodas are called “Coke,” no matter what their actual name is.

Southern Slang: 11 Words and Phrases You Hear in the South, Explained

Here’s a rundown of some Southern slang terms that might be beneficial to keep in mind the next time you’re visiting.

The Library of Congress’s Thomas Jefferson Building

How Big Is the Library of Congress?

The ”world’s largest public library,” the Library of Congress holds more than 160 million items.

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