HISTORY

Bloodofox, Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

The Tree That Owns Itself

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A 19th-Century Log Cabin Was Discovered Inside a Texas Home's Walls

The structure is thought to be one of the oldest original buildings in North Texas.

Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean, one of the owners of the Hope diamond, circa 1915

8 Supposedly Cursed Gems

Whether it's the Hope Diamond or a Cursed Amethyst, tales of death and destruction seem to follow certain famous jewels.

The Goblin-Possessed Stove That Was Blamed on a Voice-Throwing Maid

"Unconscious ventriloquism" was used to explain one of the most bizarre supernatural cases in history.

unknown via Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

The Legend of Pope Joan

If the pope suddenly gave birth to a baby right out in public, he'd certainly become a legend.

Tom Skelton: The Serial Killer Court Jester

The original Tom Fool wasn't all fun and games.

Where Did the Phrase "Goody Two-Shoes" Come From?

“Goody Two-Shoes” was a real person—or at least, a real fictional character. It was the nickname of the title character in a nursery tale called "The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes," published anonymously around 1765 by John Newbery.

15 Facts About Silly Putty

For 65 years, the toy has been enjoyed by children, astronauts, engineers, and artists alike.

Early Time Travel? Why Britain Lost 11 Days in 1752

For one year, more than two centuries ago, September 3-13 didn't exist in the British Empire.

15 Rules From the Hobo Ethical Code of 1889

Every man (and way of life) has a code.

Harry Price, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

“Hellish Nell,” The Last Person Imprisoned for Witchcraft in Britain

Helen Duncan was known as a "materialization medium"—someone who could not just commune with the dead but produce physical manifestations of them.

Get Entangled With History's Longest Beard

If a beard signifies wisdom, Hans Langseth must've been the most enlightened man in history.

Early Americans Worked Hard to Get Their Caffeine Fix

A thousand years ago, getting a caffeinated beverage wasn't as simple as just walking to the nearest coffee shop

10 Plans to Weaponize Animals

"Rats, explosive."

14 Powerful Facts About the Hoover Dam

The hulking Hoover Dam has been holding back the Colorado River and generating power for nearly 80 years, but you may be surprised to learn just how eventful its construction and naming were.

Party at the White House! The Time the Roosevelts Threw a Toga Party

Presidents throw themed parties just like the rest of us—only with better costumes.

The Time Archaeologists Threw a Giant Party to Prove a Theory

In a recent "experimental archaeology" project, archaeologists partied like it was the Stone Age.

Counterfeit Chocolate: Not Just A Thing of the Past

The Aztecs had a market for counterfeit cacao beans, but so do some modern-day chocolatiers.

Pawpaws: The Sweet, Succulent Fruit You've Never Heard Of

A new book explores the history, culture, and origins of the curiously-named treat.

Vikings May Have Settled Greenland for Walrus Tusks

The Vikings appear to have made a killing selling walrus ivory on the European market.

What would you have done for a Beanie Baby in the '90s?

12 Media Accounts of Beanie Babies Hysteria, Circa the 1990s

Ty Warner had struck gold. In 1996, his Beanie Babies had surpassed $250 million in sales, creating a phenomenon that was unlike anything the toy industry had ever seen.

12 Ruthless Facts About Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel's cunning novel details Cromwell’s rise from blacksmith’s son to right-hand man of Henry VIII.

Survey Associates, Inc. via Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

6 Deadly Labor Disputes

The history of labor relations is littered with strikes that often cost lives.

How The Tenement Museum Uses Crime Scene Photos to Create its Exhibits

Crime scene photos provide clues to what tenement life was like in the early 20th century.

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