HISTORY

This Cigarette Pack Spy Camera Was Developed for the U.S. Army

James Bond wasn't the only spy with cool gadgets in the 20th century.

Felipeattilio via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

After the Civil War, Some Southerners Went Farther South—to Brazil

When the Civil War ended in 1865, many Confederate supporters decided that the South was no longer hospitable.

25 Fascinating Facts About Louisiana

From funeral parades to breakfast beignets, life in Louisiana is all about celebrating the good times.

Archaeologists Say They've Found Jerusalem's Ancient Fortress of Acra

The elusive structure was found underneath a parking lot.

Southern Poverty Law Center via Facebook

60 Years Ago Today, Rosa Parks Refused to Move to the Back of the Bus

Sixty years ago today, Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for violating chapter 6, section 11 of the Montgomery County Code.

Hitler’s Plan to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill—at the Same Time

But for loose lips and a little bit of luck, a terrible parallel history might have become reality.

25 Things You Should Know About Memphis

6. Mark Twain once called Memphis the "Good Samaritan City of the Mississippi."

Sword Swallowers Association International // Public Domain

Edith Clifford, the Early 20th Century's Most Amazing Female Sword Swallower

She was a rock star of the late Victorian circus, but gave it all up to run a grocery store.

When Office Christmas Parties Were Totally Insane

Spiking the punch bowl with LSD just isn't a thing anymore.

Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain (Einstein); Wikimedia Commons, Fair Use (Yoda)

How Einstein Influenced the Look of Yoda

Just another one of Einstein's gifts to humanity...

Read Historic Fairy Tales from 19th Century Ukraine

Including stories like “The Ungrateful Children and the Old Father Who Went to School Again.”

Brian Indrelunas, Flickr // CC BY-NC 2.0

The History and Science Behind Expandable Water Toys (a.k.a. Grow Monsters)

The superabsorbent polymers inside them were originally invented to help soil conserve water.

25 Fine Facts About Kentucky

13. You can thank Patty Hill, a resident of the Bluegrass State, the next time you launch into "Happy Birthday."

The Real-Life Criminal Who Inspired Charles Dickens

In the case of Ikey Solomon, the real life tale trumps fiction.

“Battle of Assandun, showing Edmund Ironside (left) and Cnut the Great." Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Were Medieval Books Written on Uteruses?

Researchers found a clever way to test centuries-old manuscripts without damaging them: eraser crumbs.

NASA (Public Domain) // Photo ID S61-04540

Enos the Chimp, First Chimp in Orbit, 54 Years Ago Today

The story of Enos, second "space chimp," who launched 54 years ago today.

Aerial photo of the whole of the Mississippi River Basin Model

The Largest Small-Scale Model Ever Built Once Protected the Nation From Floods

This model of the Mississippi River Basin was a feat of midcentury engineering. Now it's open to the public.

10 Things We Learned from the Discovery of King Tut Exhibition

No Egyptian Pharaoh has fascinated modern people like Tutankhamun.

20 Foods You Might Not Know Were Named After Places

Wines and cheeses aren't the only foods that can be traced back to a place on the map.

25 Amazing Facts About Iowa

Learn more about the home of sliced bread, John Wayne, and the country's first female lawyer.

Watch These Rare Outtakes From Charlie Chaplin’s Early Films

As the creator of the compilation notes, "Chaplin was a perfectionist, but he wasn't always perfect."

Get Tangled in These Mythical God Family Trees

Keep track of all your gods with these helpful diagrams.

This 2000-Pound Sculpture Can Be Moved With a Fingertip

The project from MIT is meant to demonstrate how Easter Island's statues were transported.

25 Not-So-Corny Facts About Indiana

A few things you should know about the state with the mysterious nickname.

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