History: Facts, Trivia, Quizzes, Brain Teasers & More

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Needlework in Memory of the Departed

In the 1880s, nobody was excluded from elaborate mourning rituals.

The Origins of 6 Terrifying Urban Legends and Classic Campfire Stories

Did a man with a hook for hand really murder a young couple making out in a car?

8 Ways to Commemorate the U.S. Virgin Islands' Transfer Day (Wherever You Are in the World)

Presented by U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Harsh Method a Silent Film Company Used to Reject Scripts

Film studios were brutally honest back in the day.

Charles Fort, Chronicler of Unexplained Phenomena

His books were the real-life X-files.

13 Incredible Facts About the U.S. Virgin Islands 100 Years Ago

Presented by U.S. Virgin Islands.

The "Real" Legend of American Horror Story: Roanoke's Pig Man

A man with the head of a pig is wreaking havoc in Roanoke.

Samhain is traditionally a night of fire and feasts.

6 Facts About Samhain

Long before we stuffed ourselves with candy and donned Halloween costumes, the Celtic people celebrated an ancient harvest festival called Samhain.

Harry Houdini Honored at Manhattan Home for the 90th Anniversary of His Death

The Upper East Side locale was the famed magician's first New York City residence.

First Lady Laura Bush's favorite chocolate torte. Image credit: Life Reloaded Specialty Publishing

Delmonico’s Launches Menu of Presidential Meals

The special event highlights dishes served in the White House and at the historic restaurant.

Gowanus Canal Cleanup Reveals Sunken Objects From New York's Past

Over the next four weeks, contractors cleaning the body of water will haul large items, like ships, out of the canal.

A Graveyard Smash: Bobby Pickett, The Man Behind the 'Monster Mash'

Just like the Halloween monsters Pickett lampooned in his songs, "Monster Mash" returns from the dead year after year.

Deblu68 via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

You Can Now Tour the Pope’s Summer Home

Castel Gandolfo has been used as a papal getaway spot since the 17th century.

9 Historic Figures With Ties to the U.S. Virgin Islands

Presented by U.S. Virgin Islands.

How Harry Truman's Daughter Inspired a Wesley Snipes Movie

Margaret Truman Daniel had a flair for murder mysteries.

If this man were smart, he’d be heading into Rome’s Cloaca Maxima to look for archaeological treasures buried among the ancient poop.

8 Archaeological Treasures Found in Poop

Among its many fine qualities, human waste gives archaeologists a wealth of information about people's daily lives—and reveals the occasional treasure or two.

Franklin Roosevelt and his mother, Sara Roosevelt.

11 of History's Most Notable Mothers-in-Law

When poet Dylan Thomas passed away, his mother-in-law ordered his papers burned.

A Look Back at When Thanksgiving Was Basically Halloween

How the fall holiday wires got crossed.

The Team That Boycotted the World Series

Calling off the World Series was a two-man job.

A Scary Snuff Box

Skull-reading used to be all the rage.

7 Historic Beaches Worth a Visit on the U.S. Virgin Islands

Presented by U.S. Virgin Islands.

Leonora Piper, Turn-of-the-Century Medium

“If you wish to upset the law that all crows are black, it is enough if you prove that one crow is white. My white crow is Mrs. Piper.”

6 U.S. Virgin Islands Traditions You'll Want to Adopt

Presented by U.S. Virgin Islands.

How the Man Who Bombed Oregon Became an Honorary Citizen

He came back 20 years later to try and make amends.

HISTORY