HISTORY

See the Oldest Depiction of the Universe in Human History

Discovered in 1999, the Nebra sky disk is the oldest-known graphic of the universe in human history.

Gutenberg Bible Pages Up For Auction

Who Really Invented the Ice Cream Soda?

At least four different people claim the fizzy concoction was their idea. Here, we try to determine who's telling the truth—and who's just blowing bubbles.

1950s Advice For Curing a Cold Includes Jazz Radio and a Good Book

The 1955 educational film "Sniffles and Sneezes" explores how germs are spread.

Two men pose with a spirit in their car.

Eerie Images Taken By An Early 20th Century Spirit Photographer

Long before the existence of Photoshop, so-called “spirit photographers” were manipulating images to convincing—and haunting—effect.

When F. Scott Fitzgerald Met James Joyce

At a 1928 dinner party in Paris, Fitzgerald kneeled before the Ulysses author, “kissed his hand, and declared: ‘How does it feel to be a great genius, Sir? I am so excited at seeing you, Sir, that I could weep.’”

See a Gorgeous Book on the Animal Kingdom From 1895

The title page of this guide to the world's fauna rightly boasts "13 coloured plates and numerous illustrations in the text." The illustrations are the best part.

The Harvard Chemistry Professor Who Was Also a Murderer

After George Parkman mysteriously disappeared on November 23, 1849, an unusual suspect emerged.

How One British Soldier Turned a Parlor Game into Clue

It was Anthony Pratt, in the sitting room, with the brilliant idea.

43 Presidential Heads in Search of a Home

In the market for a collection of 18- to 20-foot-tall presidential busts? You've come to the right place.

Never Forget the Time Dan Quayle Misspelled "Potato"

Who knew a simple tuber could do so much damage?

1969 Asks: Will Brooklyn Ever Be “In”?

The Footwear that Helped Moonshiners Evade Police

During the Prohibition Era, moonshiners had to be pretty crafty to keep their activities under wraps.

The Real Reason the Hatfields and McCoys Started Feuding

The infamous family feud lasted decades, and claimed the lives of 13 people. But what caused it in the first place?

Read the 1943 Rules of Conduct for Women's Baseball

While the official song of the organization proclaimed that the motto of the players was “Do or Die,” the rules of of conduct weren’t quite so tough.

The Battle for Arlington National Cemetery

Long before Arlington's famous Tomb of the Unknown Solider had a round-the-clock guard, the estate was home to a much different kind of solider: Union troops.

15 Lesser-Known People Who Got Their Own Stamps

Nearly 800 people have been featured since 1847. Here are a few you probably haven't heard of.

15 Illustrious Facts About Magna Carta

One of the most important documents in the history of government celebrates its 800th birthday today.

Betsy Ross Probably Didn't Sew the First Flag

In honor of Flag Day, we thought it was time you knew the truth.

Large Hadron Collider Technology Is Rescuing Historic Audio

Particle physicists Carl Haber and Vitaliy Fadeyev have discovered a way to use Large Hadron Collider technology to preserve historic audio.

Thomas Jefferson’s Laptop Writing Desk

He drafted the Declaration of Independence on this portable lap desk.

A Teenager's Assassination Attempt on Queen Elizabeth II

Her rule has spanned 63 years—but it could have all been undone by one 17-year-old.

50 Years Ago: MLB Pitcher Dock Ellis Threw a No-Hitter While Tripping on Acid

He threw wild, beaned batters, and lost all sense of time—but Dock Ellis still managed to pitch a no-hitter while high on LSD.

7 Lights-Out Facts About Baseball's First Perfect Game

On this day in 1880, Lee Richmond of the Worcester Ruby Legs twirled baseball's first-ever perfect game.

Prev Next