HISTORY

Handwritten love letters are underrated.

Dear Valentine: A Brief History of Great Love Letters

“Dear Miss Saucy ... I hereby order you to give me as many kisses and as many hours of your company as I shall please to demand.”

20 Albums Turning 50 in 2025

Some true classics are turning the big 5-0 this year, from Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ to Rush’s ‘Fly by Night.’

The dogs who pulled off the Nome Serum run might have looked a little bit like this.

10 Things You Need to Know About the 1925 Serum Run to Nome, Alaska

From January 27, 1925 until February 2, 20 mushers and 150 dogs heroically transported desperately needed diphtheria antitoxin to the remote town of Nome, Alaska, saving countless lives in the process. But the event wasn’t without controversy.

15 Impressive Facts About the Panama Canal

Often called one of the seven modern wonders of the world, the Panama Canal splits the continents of North and South America and launched a new era in global commerce when it opened in 1914.

10 of the World’s Most Endangered Monuments

From lighthouses to terracotta sculptures to out-of-this-world spots, these important heritage sites are at risk due to things like degradation and climate change.

The National Archives Is Looking for Volunteers With a “Superpower”: Reading Cursive

The agency needs help deciphering the flowing penmanship of the past.

The History of How Each Month’s Full Moon Got its Name

Each month’s full moon marks the changing seasons.

The Surprisingly Literal Reason We Call Letters “Uppercase” and “Lowercase”

The terms are more literal than you might have assumed.

Why Is It Called a “Manila” Envelope?

There’s a surprising connection between the capital of the Philippines and mailing important documents.

11 Odd Old-Timey Valentine’s Day Traditions

From writing a salty letter of insults to rid yourself of unwanted attention to using a key to ward off epilepsy, here are 11 of the oddest old-timey Valentine’s Day traditions from years past.

1 Fact About Every Best Picture Oscar Winner

The Oscars have given out 96 awards for Best Picture in their long history. Here’s one thing you should know about each film, from ‘Wings’ to ‘Oppenheimer.’

11 Animals That Can Purportedly Predict the Weather

Groundhogs aren't the only creatures with the powers of prognostication. From badgers to woolly bear caterpillars, these other animals are said to predict the weather.

Watch Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “The Other America” Speech

The MLK quote “a riot is the language of the unheard” came from his 1967 speech on the two Americas.

Richard Nixon opted to peace out of his successor’s swearing in ceremony.

6 Presidents Who Didn’t Attend Their Successor’s Inauguration

While skipping the incoming president’s inauguration is a break from tradition, it isn’t unprecedented.

Nothing could convince Sober Sue to crack a smile.

The Strange Saga of Sober Sue, Who Made a Career Out of Refusing to Laugh

In the early 20th century, one woman challenged professional comics, clowns, and performers to try and make her laugh. None could.

Judy Garland’s stand-in for ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is still alive today.

Meet Caren Marsh Doll, the Oldest Living Cast Member of ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Caren Marsh Doll was Judy Garland’s stand-in for ‘The Wizard of Oz’. At age 105, she’s one of the last living actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Artifacts at the ‘Titanic’ wreck may never see the light of day.

‘Titanic’ Salvage Missions Placed on Indefinite Hold Thanks to Legal Issues

A blend of bureaucracy and saltwater is conspiring to keep any of the ship’s remaining secrets from being brought to the surface.

The 5500-year-old trepanned skull of a woman now displayed in a Swiss museum.

A Brief History of Trepanation, One of the World’s Oldest Surgeries

The practice of drilling or scraping a hole into the skull’s cranial vault has been performed for thousands of years.

Martin Luther King at the March on Washington.

12 Historic Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr., the Atlanta native who became one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement, helped unite a divided nation.

Swearing the presidential Oath of Office on a Bible is traditional, but not required.

Has Every U.S. President Been Sworn in on a Bible?

The U.S. Constitution requires every president-elect to swear the Oath of Office—and that’s about it.

A famous fresco in Pompeii’s Villa of the Mysteries.

14 Incredible Facts about Pompeii, the Roman City Frozen in Time

In 79 CE, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 20 feet of ash, preserving amazing details about daily life in the Roman Empire.

‘Guess Who?’ has been a hit for over 40 years.

The Surprising Origins of the ‘Guess Who?’ Game

The game of familiar faces has surprising connections to Anne Frank and fidget toys.

A mob outside the White House during Andrew Jackson's first inaugural reception, 1828.

7 U.S. Inauguration Day Mishaps

The inauguration of a new U.S. President is a day of pomp and ceremony, of solemn oaths and dignified celebrations. But things don’t always go as planned.

A man checking out Caspar David Friedrich’s ‘The Sea of Ice.’

9 Winter Paintings Inspired by Real Events

From post-battle landscapes to cold weather fun, the events that occurred during frosty temperatures have led many an artist to pick up their brush and get painting.