HISTORY

This man is very much alive—as are misquotations of his famous statement.

Reports of Mark Twain’s Quote About His Own Death Are Greatly Exaggerated

“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” is a little exaggerated itself. Find out the real story behind this famous quote.

7 Dangerous and Deadly Toys From History

The toys on this list include "what were they thinking?" oddities—like a children's laboratory kit that included uranium—but also some seemingly innocuous recreational offerings.

7 Ships That Disappeared Without a Trace

The true fate of many of these ships will never be known, but speculation suggests that storms, piracy, mutiny, accidental bombing, and even the attack of a giant squid could be responsible for their vanishings.

From left: Gabriela Mistral, José Rizal, Anna Cooper.

6 Little-Known Writers of Color Who Transformed Their Countries

Though their contributions were immense, many aren’t well-known outside of their nations’ borders.

This little symbol has a fascinating history.

Where Did the Ampersand Symbol Come From?

From what an ampersand symbol is to where it came from, here's what you need to know about this little symbol's surprisingly long history.

10 Facts About Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terrier dogs—better known as Yorkies—have a lot of personality packed into their tiny bodies. Learn more about this energetic breed and its history.

The mob has been busy throughout history.

7 Businesses You Probably Didn’t Know Were Controlled By the Mob

To create inroads into other industries without drawing much attention to themselves, crime families found creative ways to launder money and rule where one might least expect.

Isamu Noguchi at the Noguchi Garden Museum in New York City.

8 Facts about Isamu Noguchi

Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was one of the most influential designers and sculptors of the 20th century.

Faking your own death isn't illegal, but it sure is controversial.

8 People Who Faked—or Might Have Faked—Their Own Deaths

Pseudocide only works if no one figures out your secret.

The 1960s gave us a lot of marvy slang still in use today.

20 Bits of Groovy ’60s Slang

Let your freak flag fly, man.

The founder of Mother’s Day would have hated these flowers.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Mother’s Day

People buy a lot of flowers on Mother’s Day. (Jewelry and spa services get boosts, too.)

The longtime home of Princess Margaret of Denmark is going to auction.

Princess Margaret of Denmark's Historic French Fortress Is Going To Auction

If you've ever dreamed of living like royalty, now's your chance.

8 Ways Queen Victoria’s Coronation Was a Flop

Queen Victoria’s 1838 coronation featured a very small ring and a very big fall.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of her coronation, Buckingham Palace, 1953

Watch Queen Elizabeth II’s History-Making 1953 Coronation

On May 12, 1937, Princess Elizabeth—then just 11 years old—looked on as her father, King George VI, was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Little did she know that just 16 years later, she would be at the center of the exact same ceremony.

Henry VIII: A king who loved his apricots.

The Eclectic Favorite Foods of 6 British Royals

For hundreds of years, the British royal family has indulged their sweet tooths and love of a stiff drink.

Cinco por Cinco: 5 Fun Facts About Cinco de Mayo

There is a lot more to Cinco de Mayo, the annual springtime celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture in the United States, than the many margarita-soaked festivities that ensue all over the nation.

13 Facts About Mount Fuji

Japan’s highest mountain is also one of its most iconic landmarks.

The St. Edward's Crown (left) and the Imperial State Crown.

Why Do British Monarchs Wear Two Crowns During Their Coronation?

King Charles III will only get to don the iconic St. Edward’s Crown for a moment—here’s why.

The bagel's path to breakfast dominance wasn't straightforward.

How Bagels Changed the Breakfast Game

The bagel’s success is undeniable, but its path to breakfast dominance wasn’t straightforward.

15 Things You Might Not Know About Michelangelo’s ‘David’

Few statues are as enduring and iconic as Michelangelo's 'David.' But while much of the world could sketch this majestic masterpiece from memory, few know the quirks and curiosities that went into its creation.

Colorized Video Transports Viewers to Victorian England

Some clever editing bring this archival footage into the present day.

War is hell. Sometimes, it's only for about an hour, though.

6 of the Shortest Wars in History

Some wars can take centuries. Others can take, oh, about 45 minutes.

A Handy Guide to Barbie’s Friends and Family

Who is Midge? Why did Barbie’s little sister Kelly disappear? Is Nikki actually Christie’s little sister?

The Interesting Etymologies of 71 Everyday Words

Here’s (at least) one interesting way station each of these common words made on its journey to the present day, whether it’s an analysis of the Latin roots, a hypothesis about a proto-Indo-European origin, or a pivotal change in meaning.

Prev Next