HISTORY

Men prevent a vampire rising from its grave in a Romanian cemetery in this 19th-century illustration.

7 Frightening Facts About Europe’s Real-Life Vampires

The belief in real-life vampires predates Bram Stoker's legendary novel 'Dracula.'

14 Sweet Facts About Hershey’s

Everyone knows what their favorite Hershey’s product is, but there are a few things that you might not know about the largest manufacturer of chocolate in North America.

See 'Titanic' in Mesmerizing 8K—the Highest Resolution Ever Captured of the Wreck

The new footage shows details of the 'Titanic' wreck that have never been captured on film before.

5 Mysteries Surrounding the 'Mona Lisa'

Despite all we do know about this Leonardo da Vinci painting, there are still a number of lingering questions.

Digging Into the Explosive Mystery Behind the Kentucky Meat Shower of 1876

On Friday, March 3, 1876, something unexpected started tumbling from the skies in Olympian Springs, Kentucky: gristly, oozing chunks of flesh.

You Can Take a Virtual Tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Demolished Imperial Hotel in Tokyo

What was it like to stay in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel? This video reimagines its grandeur.

There's no sleight of hand going on when it comes to these facts.

14 Fascinating Facts About the History of Magic

Find out how the word legerdemain came to be, why medieval spectators of the cups and balls illusion had to watch their pockets, and more in this list of fun and fantastical facts about the history of magic.

Claude Monet in front of the famous water lilies at his gardens in Giverny, 1905.

10 Writers and Artists Who Wanted Their Work Destroyed

Whether from a lack of confidence, concerns over sensitive contents, a change of direction, or simply a fit of pique, a number of artists and writers have destroyed their own work.

St. Augustine's Flagler College—originally the Ponce de León Hotel, constructed in 1888.

What's the Oldest City in America?

The oldest city in the U.S. predates Jamestown by more than 40 years.

8 Fascinating Facts About the Brothers Grimm

You’re probably familiar with Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, but many are unfamiliar with the origins of the popular versions of these stories. Here's what you need to know about brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and their tales.

10 Women Automotive Pioneers

Since the earliest days of motoring, there have been women determined to compete with men at the highest levels.

A Brief History of Pad Thai

Part fusion dish, part government propaganda, pad thai has a complicated background.

Take a Ride Through the Scandalous History of the Tunnel of Love

You don't see too many Tunnel of Love rides at amusement parks today, but they once served an important—and risqué—social function.

Katherine Parr lived a fascinating life, both before and after marrying Henry VIII.

10 Facts About Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's Wife Who ’Survived’

Katherine Parr is remembered as Henry VIII’s lucky queen, the one who got away, or, as the old rhyme says, the one who “survived.”

Being a night soil man was a thankless job.

How the Victorian Era's 'Night Soil Men' Kept London From Going to Waste

The fetchers of feces known as night soil men tackled a dangerous, thankless job—all in an attempt to keep Victorians unburdened by their ever-growing piles of poop.

Movie-goers prepare to be entertained in 1935.

Why Do We Refer to Movies as “The Silver Screen”?

The origin of the phrase ‘silver screen’ is less about movies and more about how people watched them in the good old days.

Why Do We Say People Pass ‘With Flying Colors’?

Like so many other phrases, the meaning of ‘pass with flying colors’ has nautical roots.

The origin of the smoke detector might surprise you.

The Unusual Origin Stories of 9 Everyday Household Items

What was Kleenex originally used for? The product’s fascinating history has ties to Kotex and World War I.

Martha Brossier made her exorcisms a public spectacle.

A Devilish Hoax: The Fake Demonic Possession of Martha Brossier

In 1590s France, a young woman went on a touring exhibition to demonstrate she was under the spell of a demon. A clever group of theologians proved otherwise.

A surprising amount of lost books have found their way into flames—sometimes courtesy of the authors themselves.

11 Books That Are (Probably) Lost Forever

Every so often the literary world is rocked by the discovery of a work that was thought to be lost forever—but there are many books that remain lost to this day, much to the sadness of readers everywhere.

Stars on homes have been an enduring mystery for some.

What's the Meaning Behind the Metal Stars You Often See on Old Houses?

The five-pointed star is common in the northeast and has been rumored to represent everything from the Amish to swingers.

Mary I (pictured) did not trust her younger half-sister.

5 Ways Mary I Tried to Thwart Elizabeth I

Despite being half-sisters, the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth Tudor was difficult.

Lake City, Florida, almost went by another name entirely.

8 U.S. City Names That Might Have Been

Let's be glad the name "Pig's Eye, Minnesota" didn't stick.

There Are Only 25 Blimps Left on Earth—Here’s Why

There are 25 blimps left in existence as of 2022, and only half of them are in use.

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