HISTORY

Not since the McPizza has a fast-food stunt caused so much controversy.

When Taco Bell 'Bought' the Liberty Bell

In 1996, Taco Bell pulled a fast one by announcing they had bought the Liberty Bell and were taking it to company headquarters in Irvine. Not everyone thought it was funny.

A number of Fabergé eggs owned by the Romanov family (though not this one) disappeared after the Russian Revolution.

9 Valuable Lost Treasures

From lost pieces of media to irreplaceable works of art to literal pirate booty, these are the amazing and tragic stories behind valuables that seem to be gone forever.

8 (Supposedly) Cursed Books

From a diabolical Bible to a mournful Japanese war poem, here are eight texts that have been blamed for madness, misfortune, and death.

11 Facts About the Battle of Gettysburg

The three-day Civil War battle was a badly needed win for the North—but like all victories, it came with a price.

The Grand Canyon is one of Arizona's most recognizable features, but there's a lot more that you should know about the state.

25 Grand Facts About Arizona

There’s a lot more to Arizona than just cacti, arid climes, and the Grand Canyon.

The singular 'they' is far from a recent development.

The 600-Year History of the Singular 'They'

The singular form of 'they' has been endorsed by writers like Jane Austen and William Shakespeare.

'The Wreck of the 'Gloucester' off Yarmouth, 6 May 1682' by Johan Danckerts circa 1682.

The Shipwreck of HMS ‘Gloucester’—Whose Sinking Nearly Killed James II—Has Been Found After More Than 300 Years

Ships sank all the time in 17th-century Britain. But this one carried the future James II—and the tragedy was partially his fault.

10 Women Writing in the Time of Shakespeare

Women were everywhere on the 16th- and 17th-century literary scene, writing and publishing alongside men—but many of their names are still unknown.

Historical Footage Captures a Day at the Beach at the Turn of the 20th Century

This historical video shows just how different a day at the beach was at the turn of the 20th century.

getty images (churchill) / istock (flag)

The 8 Honorary Citizens of the United States

Honorary citizenship is granted by Congress and the president, and has only ever been bestowed upon eight people. Here's what they did to deserve it.

Hanford, Washington, became the site of nuclear experiments.

Green Run: When the U.S. Government Released Radiation in the Pacific Northwest

In the 1940s, residents near Hanford, Washington, were getting dosed with the radioactive equivalent of Three Mile Island every day.

John W. Dean testifying during the Senate Watergate hearings in June 1973.

You Can Stream All 51 Days of the Watergate Hearings Online for Free

The Watergate scandal didn’t actually result in Richard Nixon’s impeachment—but it did generate months of riveting congressional hearings.

Why Is It Called a Cesarean Section?

It may have something to do with Julius Caesar, but the story isn’t that straightforward.

12 Fascinating Things Found in Shipwrecks

From seriously aged cheese to the world’s first analog computer, shipwrecks have produced some fascinating—and sometimes disgusting—artifacts.

Toilets have been privy to some important events over the years.

11 Historically Significant Toilets

From Elvis's near-final resting place to the porta-johns that saved a pilot's life, these are the toilets that altered world events.

The Battle of Inkerman during the Crimean War

11 Intriguing Facts About the Crimean War

Europe saw no shortage of bloody conflicts in the 19th century, and one of the most important was the clash of empires in Crimea.

King Charles II's mistress, Barbara Palmer.

11 of the Most Influential Royal Lovers in British History

Some of the most influential people in British history have been the monarch’s lover rather than their spouse

11 of the Oldest Snack Foods We're Still Eating

Nestled among the Oreo-flavored wine and cappuccino-flavored potato chips in your local grocery store are classic snacks with serious staying power.

James Mason and Judy Garland in 'A Star Is Born' (1954).

A Star Is Burned: When Judy Garland Lost an Oscar to Grace Kelly From Her Hospital Bed

When Judy Garland received an Oscar nomination for her performance in 1954's 'A Star Is Born,' she was widely expected to go home with the gold. Instead, she went home with a baby.

Hannah Arendt shed new light on totalitarianism.

The Library of Congress Needs Help Transcribing the Papers of Political Thinker Hannah Arendt

Arendt fled Nazi Germany and became one of the most vocal political philosophers of the 20th century.

Interpol allows for global law enforcement connections.

Red Notice: 10 Fascinating Facts About Interpol

What exactly is Interpol? What can it do? What are its limits? Can it really connect police forces from around the world? Here’s one clue: It’s not actually a law enforcement agency.

A little lad relieving himself is the Renaissance-era version of the peeing Calvin bumper sticker.

Why Are There So Many Ancient Fountains Featuring Little Boys Peeing?

Modern guidebooks offer nearly a dozen different explanations for why Brussels' 'Mannekin Pis' statue is relieving himself.

A German submarine not unlike the one destroyed by a poop.

The Turd Reich: The Toilet Malfunction That Sank a German U-Boat

Your history teacher probably didn't tell you about the time the unfortunately named Captain Schlitt's bowel movement sank an entire German submarine.

Why Was June Chosen As LGBTQ Pride Month?

Answering “When is Pride Month?” takes one word: June. Why it’s June, on the other hand, is more of a short story.

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