HISTORY

A detail from Rembrandt’s masterpiece ‘The Night Watch.’

16 Things You Might Not Know About Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’

Completed in 1642, Rembrandt van Rijn's The Night Watch is not only a highlight of a career that spanned over 600 paintings, but also acclaimed as arguably the greatest portrait of the Dutch Baroque era.

Scenes from the 2019 Hispanic Heritage Parade in New York City.

5 Ways to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of Hispanic culture and history, offers a number of in-person and interactive events to get you plugged in.

The Real History of the Folk Song ‘Kumbaya’

From a heartfelt spiritual, to a children’s campfire song, to a powerful protest anthem, to a derisive phrase, “Kumbaya” is certainly a bit of a musical chameleon.

It might not look like much, but this Neolithic door is as old as Stonehenge.

The Secrets of 8 Amazing Historic Doors

Historic doors can reveal a lot about their times—like the medieval trend of covering doors in (allegedly) human skin.

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #6

This riddle dates back to the 17th century—can you figure it out?

6 Politicians Who Got Elected Despite Being Dead

Several politicians have won elections posthumously. And no, fraud was not to blame.

Abraham Lincoln just after uttering his last words.

The Last Words and Final Moments of 39 U.S. Presidents

Some presidents’ last words have been profound (“This is the last of earth; I am content”) and others have been merely practical (“Help!”).

The Not-So-Nice Origins of ‘Bookworm’

‘Bookworm,’ which now implies someone is well-read, once meant that you were a total loser.

Resurrectionists raiding a cemetery to provide a cadaver for dissection, 1887.

When Scotland Yard Took On Resurrectionists

In this excerpt from Simon Read’s book ‘Scotland Yard,’ detectives try to determine if the men who turned up at a medical college with a fresh corpse are body snatchers—or murderers.

Howard Hughes, the original rich and eccentric guy.

When Howard Hughes Bought a TV Station Because He Had Insomnia

The reclusive billionaire couldn't sleep and didn't have anything to watch. His solution was to buy a TV station.

7 Facts About Hispanic Heritage Month

Discover the origins of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15 each year. Here’s how the history of this annual celebration took shape—and how you can take part.

Why Is It Called a “Phillips Head” Screwdriver?

Believe it or not, nobody named Phillips actually invented it.

Muhammad Ali makes a prediction of how many rounds it will take for him to win an upcoming fight scheduled for June 1963. He was right.

Criminal Ring: How Muhammad Ali’s 1970 Comeback Led to a Big-Money Heist

When Muhammad Ali returned to the ring after three years in exile, a team of thieves took the opportunity to steal more than $1 million from fans in a brazen armed robbery. A series about the heist hits Peacock September 5.

Three views of the gold Roman-era bracelet discovered in a West Sussex field.

12-Year-Old Boy Stumbles on Ancient Roman Bracelet While Walking His Dog

The rare golden bracelet was probably given to a soldier as a reward for bravery as Roman armies invaded England.

10 Fascinating Facts About the Photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’

One of the most famous photographs of the 20th century gave people hope during the Great Depression.

The teddy bear has a very specific origin story.

How Did the Teddy Bear Get Its Name?

The origins of the teddy bear involve President Theodore Roosevelt, a bear hunt, a political cartoon, and the owner of a candy shop in New York.

Not all regions with a food-inspired name are represented on the map.

9 Delightfully Delicious U.S. Regional Names

You’ve heard of New England, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. But the United States has several more interesting regions, including the Pierogi Pocket, the Borscht Belt, the Pretzel Belt, and more.

Built in 1843, the schooner ‘Home’ is one of the oldest shipwrecks discovered in Wisconsin.

It Just Got Easier to Dive to Shipwrecks in Lake Michigan

Thanks to a new buoy network, scuba divers and snorkelers can explore some of the historic wrecks—while protecting our maritime heritage—in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

10 Facts About Mark Twain’s ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’

A lewd drawing contained in an early printing could have destroyed the book’s chances—and Twain’s reputation.

How many Americans celebrate the three-day weekend.

8 Facts About Labor Day

Americans celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September—which means Labor Day falls on Monday, September 2, in 2024.

What British mail was like around the time Ewart's postcard was mailed.

Snail Mail: Welsh Postcard Sent in 1903 Arrives 121 Years Later

The recipient has been identified, but it’s still a mystery where the postcard has been all this time.

Madonna’s May 2024 concert at Copacabana Beach was one of the largest in the world.

The 10 Biggest Concerts in History

Rod Stewart, Madonna, and the Rolling Stones had some of the largest concert crowds in history.

Martin Laurello performs his signature trick in the 1920s.

‘The Human Owl’: The Twisted Life of Sideshow Star Martin Laurello

Laurello trained himself to turn his head virtually 180 degrees, a parlor trick that led to a 50-year career.

A three-day weekend makes bidding farewell to summer a little easier.

Why Is Labor Day Always Celebrated on a Monday?

Like Memorial Day and Presidents Day, Labor Day falls on a Monday each year. To understand how the federal holiday came to be, you need a brief history lesson in labor politics.