HISTORY

Decades after the footprints that popped up in northern California, they were alleged to be a hoax.

The Hoax That Led to the Word ‘Bigfoot’

When 16-inch-long tracks began popping up on northern California logging sites in 1958, workers dubbed the culprit ‘Big Foot’—but decades later, the whole thing was revealed to be a hoax.

The origins of Taco Tuesday are surprisingly complicated.

The Surprisingly Contentious Origins of Taco Tuesday

The phrase “Taco Tuesday” has finally entered the public domain (unless you’re in New Jersey).

How Nelson Mandela Helped Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” Become a Hit

Tracy Chapman’s 1988 classic “Fast Car” might never have risen to the near top of the charts if it wasn't for a technical mishap.

‘Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire’ by Russell Patterson.

1920s Slang: 35 Hotsy-Totsy Terms We Should Bring Back

From ‘alarm clock’ to ‘zozzled,’ these delightful 1920s terms will transport you back in time.

This person is literally feeling their oats—but is that where the phrase came from?

Where Does the Phrase ‘Feeling One’s Oats’ Come From?

The idiom has little to do with playing with our food and more to do with equine diets.

Cupcakes are older than you might think.

The Origins of 10 Tasty Treats

Whether you’re wild about whoopie pie, can’t get enough cotton candy, or simply want s’more s’mores, finding out more about the origins of these tasty treats is pretty sweet.

10 Facts About the Flu

Discover the history of the flu and its devastating impact on the world, from the deadliest influenza pandemic to today’s vaccines.

The Board Game Trial of the Century

After Ralph Anspach created an anti-monopoly game, he ended up in the middle of a controversial patent case with Parker Brothers over the history of ‘Monopoly’ itself.

There are some pretty bizarre conspiracy theories about the sinking of the ‘Titanic.’

10 Wild Conspiracy Theories About the Sinking of the ‘Titanic’

Everything from a cursed mummy to a steering mistake have been floated as the real causes of the ‘Titanic’ disaster—and some conspiracy theories claim the ship never sank at all.

Recreated Viking sod houses behind a wooden fence at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada.

10 Facts About L’Anse aux Meadows, North America’s Only Viking Ruins

Discover the mysteries of L’Anse aux Meadows, the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America.

Kali Reis and Jodie Foster star in ‘True Detective: Night Country.’

The Two Historical Mysteries That Inspired ‘True Detective: Night Country’

To create the newest season of ‘True Detective,’ showrunner Issa López went all the way back to 1872. And 1959.

Only three of Henry VIII's four legitimate children—Mary I, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I—ever reigned.

The Royal Rundown on King Henry VIII’s Children

Only three out of Henry VIII's four legitimate children reached adulthood. Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I each went on to reign and leave their mark on English history.

A Freedom Rider getting kicked out of a bus depot, 1961.

11 Facts About the Freedom Riders

Hundreds of civil rights activists calling themselves Freedom Riders bravely held the nation accountable to its rules against segregation in 1961. Here are the facts you need to know.

A pirate flag with the distinctive eyewear.

Why Did Pirates Wear Eye Patches?

Did pirates wear eye patches to see better in the dark? Find out the truth behind the iconic style choice.

Cravings, Rabbits, and Witches: The Creepy Retro Explanations for Birthmarks

According to some strange old theories about the origins of birthmarks, a blemish on your behind meant you had the mark of the devil.

How Ireland Became the ‘Emerald Isle’

The origins of Ireland's ‘Emerald Isle’ nickname trace back to the 18th-century physician, poet, and activist who penned the poem “When Erin First Rose.”

One Florida town experienced a golf ball rain.

8 Weird Disasters from History

From beer floods to meat showers, history is full of peculiar—and putrid—disasters.

The Nude Statue That Shocked Victorian England

Bodybuilder Eugen Sandow delighted Victorian audiences with his toned physique and weightlifting skills. But his statue at the British Museum didn’t last long.

4 Famous Cases of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a bad idea in any setting, but some of history’s most vaunted writers have been caught stealing.

The long-snouted fellow in the center is a very slithy tove.

‘Wug,’ ‘Gostak,’ and 8 Other Weird Old Nonce Words

Nonce words are only meant to serve one particular purpose—here are some of the best examples.

You've probably been within spitting distance of a nuclear warhead without even realizing it.

See How the U.S. Government Transports Its Nuclear Weapons

The U.S. government is constantly moving its nuclear weapons from one facility to another, which means you may have passed one on the highway without even realizing it.

The 100 Most Popular Baby Names From 100 Years Ago

The 1924 list of most popular baby names has a few (but not many) things in common with today's trends.

Elizabeth Fry, the 'Angel of Prisons'

Elizabeth Fry championed prison reform, particularly for women and children, in 19th-century England.

Why Is ‘February’ Spelled So Strangely?

Why is February spelled the way it is? Delve into the linguistic evolution of the month’s name and its journey from Latin to modern English.

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