HISTORY

22 Hamilton Lyrics, Explained

After centuries of being best known as the guy who was killed by Aaron Burr, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical, 'Hamilton,' is bringing the achievements of the "10-dollar founding father" front and center.

Why Are There 60 Seconds in a Minute, 60 Minutes in an Hour but 24 Hours in a Day?

We can thank the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians. Here's how people decided how long an hour, a minute, and a second are.

The Mystery of the Missing Keepers at the Flannan Isles Lighthouse

There was something strange happening on the island of Eilean Mor long before three lighthouse keepers disappeared in the winter of 1900.

X-ray image of the remnants of SN 1006. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Medieval Supernova Lit Earth’s Skies for Months

Astronomers around the world marveled at the brilliance of the “guest star.”

The Funny Story Behind a Classic Simpsons Scene

Proof that comedic genius can come from very unlikely places.

The Expansive History of New York City's Narrowest House

The structure's facade is less than ten feet wide—and it's even more cramped inside.

Six Degrees of Francis Bacon Shows Links Between Your Favorite Historical Figures

Ever wondered who knew whom in Early Modern Britain?

Preview an Opera About New York City's Dramatic Urban Planning History

'A Marvelous Order' will explore the mid-century battle between the powerful Robert Moses and city activist Jane Jacobs.

A Piece of Cinematic History Lies Buried Along California's Central Coast

In 1923, director Cecil B. DeMille built a massive Egyptian city to serve as the set of his blockbuster film, "The Ten Commandments."

The Earliest-Known Version of the King James Bible Was Found in a Cambridge Library

The historic 400-year-old manuscript gives historians a glimpse into the seminal work's translation process.

One Archaeologist's Quest to Prove that Ancient People Practiced Trepanation

A brash adventurer, a mysterious skull, and the debate that divided archaeology

Newly Discovered Photo of Billy the Kid Could Fetch $5 Million

The historic photo cost Randy Guijarro $2 at a thrift store in California.

Early Humans Probably Didn’t Get Much Sleep

Industrialization may not have changed our sleeping habits that much, a new study argues.

HA! Designs - Artbyheather, Flickr// CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

When the U.S. Government Paid Spies With Sears Products

For a short stint in the 1960s, the C.I.A. paid Vietnamese spies with goods from the famous mail-order catalog.

Ghostwriter and Ghost: The Strange Case of Pearl Curran & Patience Worth

10 Vital Cultural Sites That Might Vanish

Weather, water, and basic human neglect is threatening to wipe these sites off the map.

Democracy's Dirty History

For one thing, a trip to the polls used to involve a lot more booze.

Archaeologists Discover 3000-Year-Old Bronze Weapons on Scottish Island

The find could offer new insight into life on the island three millennia ago.

11 Things We No Longer See in Offices

Here are some supplies and equipment that are quickly becoming museum pieces.

A Biscuit From the Titanic Is Going Up For Auction

The Spillers and Baker biscuit is expected to sell for $15,000.

11 Cultural Breakthroughs Genghis Khan Achieved During His Reign

Sure, he was a ruthless warlord who decimated armies and wiped out entire civilizations. But it turns out Genghis Khan (real name: Temujin) was anything but barbaric when it came to ruling. His cultural and political policies helped unify a previously dis

Lucas Adams // All illustrations by Lucas Adams

7 Insane Sports and Games That Were Too Crazy to Last

From balloon-jumping to Viking bone-throwing, these sports won't be featured on your cable guide anytime soon.

9 Unsolved Mysteries of the Wild West

The lore of the Old West—stories of gunslingers, tribal and territorial warfare, missing treasure—is undying. But are the historical records to be believed?

9 Spooky Spells from an Icelandic Book of Sorcery

'Sorcerer's Screed' was first published in 1940.

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