HISTORY

President George Bush consults with senior staff in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

A Brief History of the White House Bunker

Pearl Harbor prompted the White House to build a bomb shelter, and 9/11 might have prompted the construction of another.

Al Capone: Public Enemy #1, soup kitchen proprietor

When Al Capone Ran a Soup Kitchen During the Great Depression

During the Great Depression, 50 percent of Chicago's workforce was out of a job. Al Capone, the city's bloodthirstiest gangster, stepped in feed the hungry.

History Vs. Podcast Bonus Episode: TR vs. Houdini

Famed illusionist Harry Houdini might have been one of the only people to succeed in leaving Theodore Roosevelt truly dumbfounded.

Tamagotchi is the toy that launched a thousand digital pet competitors.

11 Fascinating Facts About Tamagotchi

If you grew up in the '90s, you probably remember the Tamagotchi, the egg-shaped keychain toy that beeped, ate, and pooped.

Opening a door was nearly as taxing as an actual 19th-century workout.

Victorian Women Worked Out, Too—They Just Did It Wearing Corsets

Victorian women weren’t exactly doing HIIT workouts—in fact, they were trying not to break a sweat at all.

Great white sharks used prehistoric nurseries to protect their young.

A Prehistoric Great White Shark Nursery Has Been Discovered in Chile

Baby shark, do-do-do-do-do-do. Had a nursery, do-do-do-do-do. In prehistoric times, do-do-do-do-do.

An actual nurse tends to a patient during the 1918 influenza pandemic.

“Slick” Julia Lyons: The Con Artist Who Posed as a Nurse During the 1918 Flu Pandemic—Then Robbed Her Patients

When Chicago was in desperate need of at-home nurses, one dastardly schemer named Julia Lyons saw an opportunity to turn a profit.

When it came to books, Albert Einstein subscribed to the "oldie but goodie" mentality. He wasn't the only one.

7 Pieces of Reading Advice From History’s Greatest Minds

These reading quotes from Albert Einstein, Theodore Roosevelt, and more might help you choose your next great read.

3 p.m. is basically noon for people who wake up at 12 p.m.

Why Did Noon Used to Mean 3 p.m.?

We don’t know exactly when or why noon began to refer to 12 p.m., but it could have something to do with hungry monks.

The Tallest Cemetery Monument in New Orleans Was Built Out of Spite

Moriarty Monument in New Orleans's Metairie Cemetery is both a heartfelt memorial and a petty demonstration of wealth.

John Lennon (left) and Paul McCartney (right) from The Beatles.

10 Chance Meetings That Changed the World

Whether you call it destiny or coincidence, there's no denying that these chance encounters changed the world.

That red ribbon is the literal "red tape" that we now use as an idiom to describe bureaucratic processes.

The Arlington National Cemetery Just Opened Its Time Capsule from 1915—See What’s Inside

The items from Woodrow Wilson’s century-old time capsule are on virtual display just in time for Memorial Day.

Remembering Sara Little Turnbull, Whose Bra Cup Design Became the N95 Mask

Design expert Sara Little Turnbull was consulting for 3M in 1958 when she was tasked with creating a better bra cup. Eventually, her design would inspire the N95 mask.

10 Heroic Facts About Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, and one of the first openly gay politicians elected to office in all of America. He also had a major issue with dog poop.

Alexander Graham Bell

Explore the life of inventor Alexander Graham Bell, the man responsible for giving us the telephone.

What’s the Difference Between a Tiara and a Crown?

There’s a reason that Meghan Markle’s first time sporting a tiara (borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II) was on her wedding day.

Franz Reichelt is now remembered as the "flying tailor."

14 Experiments Gone Wrong

In this episode of 'The List Show,' we take a look at experiments throughout history that definitely did not go according to plan.

For the First Time Ever, You Can Watch the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge via Livestream

After telling tourists to stay away from Stonehenge on the summer solstice, English Heritage has announced it will be livestreaming the event for the first time in the landmark's history.

These New York tram conductors, photographed during the 1918 influenza, don't seem interested in joining any Anti-Mask League.

At the Height of the 1918 Flu Pandemic, the Anti-Mask League of San Francisco Formed to Protest PPE

During their last meeting, the proceedings were so chaotic that the building renter simply shut off all the lights.

Ah-hoooo! Warren Zevon performing at New York City's Bowery Ballroom in 2000.

Werewolves of London: How The Everly Brothers and a B-Movie from 1935 Inspired Warren Zevon's Monster Hit

Warren Zevon's 'Werwolves of London' began as a sort of novelty song, but has since transformed into an anthem for badasses everywhere (and badasses with great hair, in particular).

This summer, we'll all get to be in the room where it happens.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton Musical Is Coming to Disney+ More Than a Year Early

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., and the rest of the original Broadway cast of 'Hamilton' are coming soon to a streaming device near you.

General Winfield Scott, the original great Scott (probably).

Who’s the 'Scott' in Great Scott?

"Great Scott!" was around long before it became the go-to expression of Doc Brown in ‘Back to the Future.’

Self-driving cars have captured the public's imagination for decades.

7 Early Attempts at Self-Driving Cars

Today's state-of-the-art driverless vehicles have origins dating back to the 1920s, including one automaker who feuded with Harry Houdini.

24 Puzzling Parenting Tips From the 1800s

From baby cages to giving children opium-laced substances, here are some parenting tips from the 1800s you definitely want to avoid.

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