HISTORY

Radomz, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.5

15 Intricate Facts About Mazes

The word "maze" comes from the Middle English word meaning “delirium” or “delusion.”

Why Do British Pubs Have Illustrated Signs Outside?

"Let's meet at the sign of the Hung, Drawn and Quartered..."

10 Things We Learned from the Public Domain Review’s New Book of Essays

Drugs, skeletons, madness, and children's books—and you thought history was boring.

Two Pieces of a Shattered Roman Sign Were Reunited After 2000 Years

The marble slab once marked the entrance to an important building in the ancient town of Calleva Atrebatum.

Dona Yu via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

The “Castle” in the Middle of Death Valley

This $2.5 million mansion in the middle of Death Valley is no mirage.

Humans Have Used Honeybees for 9000 Years

Researchers have found chemical evidence indicating that Europe's early farmers exploited bees for their wax and honey.

How a Wombat Became a Famous Art Muse

Pre-Raphaelite artist Dante Gabriel Rossettiwas talented, tempestuous, and completely obsessed with wombats.

A Brand-New National Historic Park Will Remember the Manhattan Project

Seventy years after World War II's end, three project sites where the atomic bombs were made will be preserved for the public.

When the World's Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises Tried to Sue George W. Bush

“Cetacean Community v. Bush”

Ecodefense/Heinrich Boell Stiftung Russia/Slapovskaya/Nikulina, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

The Kyshtym Disaster: The Largest Nuclear Disaster You've Never Heard Of

You have probably never heard of the Kyshtym nuclear disaster. The Soviets covered it up for decades.

The 19th Century Love Letter That Went Viral

"A ‘Stunning’ Love Letter" was reprinted by some 60 newspapers in the 1800s.

A Forgotten Edith Wharton Story Was Found in Yale's Rare Book Library

The work was likely written right before 'The Age of Innocence' was published in 1920.

Feeding the Beast: 10 Facts About the Hunt for the Loch Ness Monster

9. Real or not, Nessie is big business—to the tune of $38 million in annual revenue for the Loch Ness region.

25 Sun-Soaked Facts About Florida

Nobody does weird like Florida.

The Volunteers in This Extreme 1965 Isolation Study Lost Track of Entire Weeks

In 1965, a midwife and a furniture maker volunteered to spend several months in isolation—just to see what would happen.

New York City Used to Have an Official Magician

During the Great Depression, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia appointed Abraham Hurwitz the city's first official magician.

25 Delightful Facts About Delaware

Two words: Punkin chunkin.

The 12 Biggest Blackouts In History

Fifty years ago today, the Great Northeast Blackout trapped 800,000 people in New York City's subways.

13 Things You Might Not Know About the Berlin Wall

6. The "Death Strip" was as scary as it sounds.

The Story Behind the Iconic Coca-Cola Bottle

How a major marketing problem ushered in a legendary design.

9 Transparently Amazing Facts About X-Rays

Including what the 'X' stands for.

Help the New York Public Library With a Massive Archival Project

The 6,000-plus handwritten real estate records hold valuable information about the lives of immigrants who helped create New York.

Photos of Californians Casually Hanging Out With Alligators in the Early 1900s

During the first few decades of the 20th century, the people of Los Angeles had alligator fever.

Dr. Henry Heimlich’s Long Battle With the Red Cross Over His Namesake Maneuver

Dr. Henry Heimlich’s innovative research led to this life-saving technique, but he ran into major issues with the American Red Cross.

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