HISTORY

10 Battles That Changed History

From the World War II engagement that helped instigate a medical breakthrough to the devastating attack that indirectly contributed to the Renaissance, these battles altered the course of history.

Thousands of years of history (ages 3 and up).

A Brief History of Board Games

When is losing together more fun than winning by yourself? In this premiere episode of Mental Floss’s new series, The History of Fun, we look for an answer.

10 Facts About Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary

'Dictionary of the English Language,' published in 1755, remained the foremost dictionary of British English until the early 1900s when the very first installments of the Oxford English Dictionary began to appear.

15 Facts About Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’

Before the artist created ‘The Starry Night,’ he dedicated himself to the surreal and beautiful wonder of ‘Sunflowers.’

The Murderer Who Helped Make the Oxford English Dictionary

The story of the OED’s most prolific contributor, a sex-addicted murderer who lived in an insane asylum.

The Donner Party monument near Truckee Lake, California

8 Facts You Might Not Know About the Donner Party

Abraham Lincoln briefly considered going with them.

9 Definitive Facts About Noah Webster

Noah Webster—who was born on October 16, 1758—compiled America’s most influential dictionary, Americanized our English, essentially founded the publishing industry, and was a pioneer in epidemiology. Here's what you should know about Webster.

Colonizers did not let the dead rest in peace.

9 Strange Uses for Ancient Egyptian Mummies

In centuries past, mummies were put to a variety of inventive uses: art, commerce, science, entertainment, and possibly even paper making.

King Tut's death remains an unsolved mystery.

How Did King Tut Die?

History's most famous child ruler was also the result of inbreeding, which sure didn't help his longevity much.

Stonehenge was once in the hands of private owners.

Cecil Chubb: The Man Who Bought Stonehenge

Cecil Chubb attended an auction in 1915 and decided Stonehenge would make for a fantastic new family possession.

President Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II.

Recreate Queen Elizabeth II’s Recipe for Pancakes (or Drop Scones), Which She Sent to Dwight Eisenhower

Queen Elizabeth II's drop scones were so tasty that President Eisenhower asked for the recipe following his visit.

When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Opened a Psychic Bookstore

The creator of Sherlock Holmes believed in ghosts so strongly he opened a bookstore devoted to educating the general public about them.

'Stand For Your Truth': The Life and Legacy of Sacheen Littlefeather

In 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather caused a national stir when she refused Marlon Brando’s Oscar for Best Actor in 'The Godfather.' Nearly 50 years later, the activist received a long overdue apology for the abuse and discrimination she endured.

A piece found in the grave goods of Hatshepsut displayed at National Museum of Antiquities in The Netherlands.

The Rise of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s First Great Female Pharaoh

Hatshepsut seized the reins of power and never let go.

We know a lot about Ancient Egypt, but some things (like hieroglyphs) aren't as clear as you might have thought.

6 Misconceptions About Ancient Egypt

Find out the real deal behind mummies, the truth behind the Sphinx’s nose, and how King Tut probably met his end.

Heads Will Roll: 8 Facts About Historical Beheadings

Decapitation used to be considered the most humane way of disposing of criminals, complete with adorable euphemisms like "the patriotic haircut."

Storms seemed to bring small blobs of a strange substance to Oakville, Washington, in 1994.

Weird Weather: The Mystery of the 'Oakville Blobs'

In 1994, goopy droplets of unknown origin rained down over the tiny hamlet of Oakville, Washington. Residents were curious. Then they started getting sick.

A page from Beinecke MS 408, also known as the Voynich Manuscript.

10 Books and Texts That Are Actually Impossible to Read

Some are written in codes or ciphers that haven’t been cracked, while others are purposefully designed to remain incomprehensible forever.

Lizzo plays Madison's crystal flute at the Library of Congress.

How Lizzo Came to Play James Madison’s 200-Year-Old Crystal Flute During a D.C. Concert

“I want everybody to make some noise for James Madison’s crystal flute, y’all!” —Lizzo, international pop star and classical flautist.

7 Incredible Mass Hysteria Events

In this episode of The List Show, Mental Floss editor-in-chief Erin McCarthy shares seven unbelievable events of mass hysteria from history.

Golden funerary mask of King Tut at the Egyptian Museum.

10 Ways King Tut Influenced Pop Culture

From Steve Martin's 'Saturday Night Live' song to 'The Mummy' movies, King Tut has had an eventful afterlife.

Viola Davis stars in 'The Woman King'' (2022).

The Agojie Amazons of West Africa: The Real Female Warriors Behind 'The Woman King'

Gina Prince-Bythewood's 'The Woman King' takes its cues from the very real Agojie warriors of West Africa.

12 Fantastic Facts About Nathaniel Hawthorne

American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne drew inspiration from his own ancestors for his best-known novel, 'The Scarlet Letter.'

11 Not-So-Secret Facts About the Freemasons

While most of the conspiracy theories surrounding the organization are, to put it mildly, bizarre, you don’t have to venture to the fringe to find fascinating, sometimes-strange stories about Freemasons. Here's what you should know.

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