HISTORY

Did William Henry Harrison Really Die of Pneumonia?

People are still torn over the belief that the ninth president died of pneumonia after not wearing a coat to his inauguration.

What happened in these deaths is far from clear.

25 of the Most Mysterious Deaths in History

Explorers who vanished off the face of the earth. Conquerors, composers, and scientists who expired from strange illnesses. People tantalizingly close to power who wound up dead. When it comes to these deaths, we might never know what really happened.

7 Misconceptions About Funerals

From funeral homes only using hearses to transport bodies to having to wear black to a memorial service, we’re laying some common myths about funerals to rest in the latest episode of ‘Misconceptions.’

“The Plague Hospital,” a painting by Francisco Goya.

13 Facts About the Black Death

The Black Death—the world's second bubonic plague pandemic—decimated the populations of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe in the 14th century. But there was a silver lining.

The Rarest Breed of Goldfish—Thought to Be an Urban Legend—May Have Been Rediscovered in the Wild

Not everyone believes that meteor goldfish are even real. But Chicken Nugget and Tater Tot are giving hope.

Freddie Mercury’s Beloved London Estate Is on the Market

Attention all Queen fanatics with at least $38 million to spare: Freddie Mercury’s former London home can be yours!

Why Are Bagpipes Played at Police Funerals?

The bagpipe is a tradition at first responder services. How did that happen?

Just call it "giggle smoke." Or "Nixon."

18 Old-Timey Slang Terms for Marijuana That We Should Bring Back

From 'giggle smoke' to 'Nixon,' these marijuana nicknames deserve a resurgence.

10 Songs Inspired by the RMS ‘Titanic’

Songs about ‘Titanic’ go way beyond Celine Dion’s smash hit “My Heart Will Go On.”

An early photograph for a total solar eclipse.

Watch a 124-Year-Old Video of a Solar Eclipse

The clip of the solar eclipse, recorded by a magician Nevil Maskelyne in 1900, could be the oldest footage of an astronomical event ever filmed.

Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus of Milli Vanilli.

The Great Milli Vanilli Hoax: The Truth Behind the Music Scandal That Rocked the 1990s

In 1990, Grammy-winning duo Milli Vanilli went from 'Top of the Pops' to laughing stocks when it was revealed that they had not sung a note on their own album.

According to one famous hoax, that moon is full of unicorns.

The 14 Greatest Hoaxes of All Time

History's greatest hoaxes are proof that with effort and a little luck, you can fool a lot of the people, all of the time.

Why Aren’t There B Batteries?

Once upon a time, there used to be B batteries, but they’re not manufactured anymore. Here’s why they disappeared from shelves.

41 Cowboy Slang Terms for Things You Eat and Drink

Cowboys in the Old West had all kinds of colorful terms for everyday items, from eggs (‘cackleberries’) to oysters (‘saltwater vegetables’) and beyond.

Illustration of William Shakespeare Reciting Hamlet to His Family

William Shakespeare’s Sister, Joan, Emerges in Long-Lost Writings

A fascinating new discovery has emerged about a pamphlet found in the rafters of William Shakespeare’s childhood home.

In the latter half of the 20th century, sushi went from exotic delicacy to all-American food.

A Brief History of America's Sushi Obsession

The history of sushi in the U.S. can be traced back to the 1970s.

Official White House portrait of President John Tyler by George P. A. Healy.

President John Tyler’s Last Living Grandson Has Passed Away

John Tyler was born in 1790. He took office in 1841, after William Henry Harrison died. His last living grandchild, Harrison Ruffin Tyler, just passed away, on May 25, 2025.

A Sanitized History of the Sneeze Guard

The snot-blocking glass has been keeping buffets (relatively) safe since the 1950s, and it's thanks to one germophobe.

‘With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility’: From Age-Old Axiom to Spider-Man’s Mantra

The origins of 'with great power comes great responsibility' and the story of how it became a canon event for Spider-Man.

Before you start pranking, read up on where April Fools’ Day might have come from.

The Hazy Origins of April Fools’ Day

The origins of April Fools’ Day have long been caught up in myths and legends involving everything from mackerels to calendar switches.

10 of the Biggest Earthquakes in History

From a surprise temblor in the Mississippi Valley to colossal ruptures and tsunamis around the Pacific Ring of Fire, these are some of the biggest earthquakes in modern times.

11 Amazing Things Invented by Kids

The 5-year-old who created transforming toy trucks was the youngest person to hold a patent.

How Did the White Picket Fence Become a Symbol of the American Dream?

The white picket fence has become a cliché for suburbia. Blame archers.

The BBC once pranked the world by declaring that Big Ben’s clock face would be going digital.

11 of the Greatest Pranks of All Time

From Taco Bell buying the Liberty Bell to the time the BBC convinced its viewers that spaghetti grows on trees, these are some of the most iconic pranks in history.

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