government

The U.S. Senate chamber and its rows of desks.

The historic moments that happened at these desks—and the Senate VIPs who sat behind them—mean that some have taken on lives of their own.

Four UFOs appeared in the sky at 9:35 a.m. on July 15, 1952 over a parking lot in Salem, Massachusetts.

Project Blue Book's questionnaire had sections for describing UFOs and even sketching pictures.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Hart-Celler Act.

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 irrevocably changed the face of the United States.

History is full of kings and governments who have tried to earn money by taxing anything from beards to bachelors.

After Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued an apology to victims of the country's witch trials, an official pardon could be on the way.

Albright's impressive credentials included professor, ambassador, New York Times best-selling author, and 'Gilmore Girls' guest star.

Lawmakers have been trying to make the Equal Rights Amendment happen for almost a century.

Almost 100 years have passed since the Equal Rights Amendment was first proposed. Here are the facts you should know.

Next year's spring forward could be our last ever.

The Senate has unanimously decided that the Daylight Saving Time system of falling back and springing forward just isn’t worth it.

Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke Of Edinburgh on their coronation day.

Since 1485 English (and later British) cultural periods have been named after the monarch or group of monarchs who occupied the throne.

If you forgot to put a return address on a piece of mail that never made it to its destination, you can still get it back.

Chernobyl's nuclear power plant is in crisis.

It’s a development that could potentially have serious repercussions for Europe.

What *really* happened at Roswell? And what did Project Blue Book actually uncover? All that and more on this episode of The List Show.

‘Kyiv’ is not a new name for the capital of Ukraine—and the Kyiv-or-Kiev discussion isn’t new, either.

Elmo went before Congress to make a case for music education.

The beloved 'Sesame Street' star went to Capitol Hill 20 years ago and became the first non-human to ever testify in front of Congress.

FDA approval and FDA clearance aren’t used for the same products—but they’re both valid messages to see on packaging.

Maya Angelou at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 2010.

The U.S. Mint has officially shipped its Maya Angelou quarters—earning the ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ author another “first” to her name.

‘Can I renew my passport online?’ is a question Americans have been asking since the dawn of the digital age. Soon, the answer will be yes.

When Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot, she didn’t become “Princess Kate.” Here’s why not.

Christchurch's wizard, Ian Brackenbury Channell, in 2012.

“It makes no difference. I will still keep going. They will have to kill me to stop me.”—the soon-to-be former city wizard of Christchurch, New Zealand, Ian Brackenbury Channell.

Preschoolers waiting to be vaccinated for smallpox outside their doctor's office.

The prospect of COVID-19 vaccine mandates for schools has been ruffling some feathers lately. It’s not a new issue.

The McFlurry is at the center of a delicious controversy.

McFlurry machines are notorious for breaking down, forcing customers to mourn the dessert that could have been. Now the FTC wants to know why.

Nelson Rockefeller (left) resigned as New York's governor after Gerald Ford (right) chose him as vice president. Rockefeller's lieutenant governor Malcolm Wilson took over.

The lieutenant governor is to the gubernatorial line of succession what the vice president is to the presidential line of succession. Yes, there are exceptions.

Yes, it's flimsy. No, you can't make it less flimsy.

Is it illegal to laminate your social security card? No, but the Social Security Administration advises against it—here’s why.

The dark blue uniforms worn by police officers date back to the early police departments of the 19th century.

5 Famous Desks in the U.S. Senate

Think You Spotted a UFO? See What the 1952 Questionnaire for Reporting Sightings Looked Like

9 Facts About the Hart-Celler Act

8 of History's Strangest Taxes

Scotland Apologizes to the Victims of Its Witch Hunts After 300 Years

15 Things You Didn't Know About Madeleine Albright

9 Facts You Should Know About the Equal Rights Amendment

The Senate Just Passed a Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

A Rundown on English and British Royal Eras

What Happens to Undeliverable Mail With No Return Address?

Chernobyl Has Lost Power in Ukraine, Raising Concerns Over Escaping Radiation

23 Far-Out Facts About UFOs, From Weird Sightings to Government Investigations

Why Is Ukraine’s Capital City Now Called ‘Kyiv,’ Not ‘Kiev’?

Mr. Monster Goes to Washington: When Elmo Testified in Front of Congress

‘FDA Cleared’ vs. ‘FDA Approved’: What’s the Difference?

Maya Angelou Is Now the First Black Woman to Appear on a U.S. Quarter

Good News: Online U.S. Passport Renewals Are Finally Coming

The Real Reason Kate Middleton Isn’t Known as “Princess Catherine”

After More Than Two Decades on the Payroll, Christchurch, New Zealand Is Laying off Official City Wizard

Mandatory Vaccines for Schools Began in Boston Nearly 200 Years Ago

The Mystery of the Broken McDonald's McFlurry Machines Is Now Under Federal Investigation

What’s the Gubernatorial Line of Succession in the United States?

Why Do Police Officers Wear Blue?