HISTORY

The modern version does not include any flames.

The Fiery Halloween Tradition That Gave Us Bobbing for Apples

Bobbing for apples, though sometimes comparable to dunking your head in a cesspool of saliva, wasn’t always the kid-friendly activity we know today.

Some of these presidents were well versed in October surprises.

Where Did the Term ‘October Surprise’ Originate?

Its political legacy began during the Iran hostage crisis, but other kinds of October surprises had been happening for decades.

Nancy Barnett’s family would not allow a road to disturb her final resting place.

The Reason There’s a Gravesite in the Middle of an Indiana Road

This isn't something you want to pass late at night.

One of the original samples of Alexander Fleming’s penicillin mold.

Old Mold to Be Sold: Fleming’s Original Penicillin Sample Up for Auction

Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and FDR once owned one of Fleming's penicillin mold samples. Now you can, too.

Nintendo’s newest attraction is now open.

Attention Video Game Fans: A Nintendo Museum Just Opened in Japan

Here’s another reason to add Japan to your bucket list: a Nintendo museum just opened in the country.

5 Famous Authors Who Were Awarded MacArthur “Genius” Grants

‘Severance’ author Ling Ma is a 2024 MacArthur Fellow; here are some other famous authors who were awarded the grants.

Assault, Robbery, and Murder: The Dark History of “Bedsheet Ghosts”

Pretending to be a ghost was a popular pastime in 19th century England. But in London's neighborhood of Hammersmith, it could also get you killed.

6 Infamous Poisoners with Unforgettable Nicknames

Thanks to his outrageous crimes, Graham Young will always be known as the Teacup Poisoner. Here are five others with unforgettable monikers.

Friends consult a Ouija board during a séance.

8 Notorious Séances Involving Celebrities

Harry Houdini and Princess Diana are just a few of the spirits that mediums have tried to contact over the years.

When France’s Père Lachaise Cemetery Used Celebrity Remains to Boost Business

The cemetery failed to interest the public until it started seeking out famous corpses.

You may not want to be alone in some of these libraries.

6 Supposedly Haunted Libraries

Libraries are usually quiet, secluded spots. But not all are as peaceful as they may seem.

11 Facts About the Zodiac Killer

Read up on the case before the new documentary ‘This Is the Zodiac Speaking’ hits Netflix on October 23.

Margaret Chase Smith and Eleanor Roosevelt duked it out for their political parties.

The First-Ever Televised Presidential Debate Was Between Two Women

In 1956, two highly-regarded party figures stepped in for candidates Eisenhower and Stevenson to tackle election issues.

11 Things You Might Not Know About Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, is one of the most esteemed humanitarians ever to hold the office. He was also once chased by a wild rabbit.

George Joseph Smith was very unlucky in marriage.

The ‘Brides in the Bath’ Murders That Shocked Edwardian London

George Joseph Smith was widower three times over. His wives had a nasty habit of drowning in the bathtub.

No apples were harmed in the popularizing of this phrase.

Where Does the Phrase ‘How Do You Like Them Apples’ Come From?

The phrase made famous by ‘Good Will Hunting’ is much older than the 1997 film—and doesn’t have anything to do with actual apples.

Liberty Island, site of the Statue of Liberty, was reportedly where the pirate Captain Kiss stashed his loot.

The Hidden, Haunted Histories of 7 American Landmarks

From the Smithsonian’s “castle” to modern landmarks like the Hollywood sign, America’s most famous places bear histories of haunting.

A face no one with coulrophobia wants to see.

Why Are We So Scared of Clowns?

Clowns have a long and spooky history.

The knight’s tombstone rediscovered at Jamestown.

Jamestown’s Mysterious Black Tombstone Originated in Belgium, Archaeologists Say

Scientists examined microscopic fossils in the tombstone and suggest the jet-black slab with an English knight’s insignia could have come only from one place.

A ‘witch’ grave makes a cemetery even spookier.

The Stories Behind 8 ‘Witch’ Graves

When these supposed spell-casters died, the stories about them lived on.

6 Misconceptions About Ancient Greece

Those famous white statues weren’t originally white—and that’s just one myth about Ancient Greece we’re covering in the latest episode of Misconceptions.

What’s the Origin of the Jack-O’-Lantern?

The first jack-o'-lanterns were made with turnips, not pumpkins.

Washington Irving, the Knicks' biggest fan.

The Disappearance of Diedrich Knickerbocker: How Washington Irving’s Clever Hoax Named the New York Knicks

‘Knickerbocker’ has many meanings. Without Washington Irving, it would likely only have one.

‘The Universe in 100 Colors: Weird and Wondrous Colors from Science and Nature’ (Sasquatch Books).

10 Historical Pigments—and Their Surprising Origins—from ‘The Universe in 100 Colors’

In their new book, Tyler Thrasher and Terry Mudge explore the origins of colors found rocks, animals, plants, and even space—including these 10 historical pigments with surprising histories.