HISTORY

See How CNN Reported on the Internet in 1993

Some predictions CNN shared about the internet in 1993 turned out to be fairly accurate (and others less so).

Virginia Hall has long been one of the unsung heroes of World War II.

'The Limping Lady': Virginia Hall, the One-Legged World War II Superspy

Despite having shot her own leg off in a hunting accident, Virginia Hall became one of the most feared Allied spies of the war.

General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

12 Facts About Anna May Wong

Chinese-American actress Anna May Wong is one of the most important figures to come from Hollywood's Golden Age, but her career was marked by just as many disappointments as triumphs.

Having to yell "Fore!" probably bodes ill for your score.

Why Do Golfers Yell 'Fore!' When Teeing Off?

It all started with forecaddies … or the military. Either way, ‘fore’ is the most succinct way to say “You might be about to get hit by an errant golf ball.”

10 Things We Know About Bridgerton Season 2

Here’s everything we know so far about season 2 of Netflix’s Regency period drama 'Bridgerton,' from cast members to release dates, and more.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Joe Cole in Against the Ice.

The Harrowing Arctic Survival Story Behind Netflix's Against the Ice

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is bringing Ejnar Mikkelsen’s death-defying Arctic expedition to the big screen. Here’s the history behind it.

The Sultana, the day before it exploded.

5 Deadly, Explosive Ship Disasters From U.S. History

For centuries, boats have been blowing up with amazing spectacle and horrible tragedy. Here are five ship explosions just as worthy of a three-hour dramatization as the RMS 'Titanic.'

Why Is Ukraine’s Capital City Now Called ‘Kyiv,’ Not ‘Kiev’?

‘Kyiv’ is not a new name for the capital of Ukraine—and the Kyiv-or-Kiev discussion isn’t new, either.

Drone image above the H.M.S. Erebus shipwreck.

7 Famous Shipwrecks

Sunken vessels captivate us. They inspire grief, wonder, romance—and horror. Here are stories of famous ships that went under, leaving a changed world in their wakes.

Remembering Sandy Allen, the Tallest Woman in the World

As a teenager, Sandy Allen was already over 7 feet tall—an impressive and unusual stature that would define her for the rest of her life.

What Is Fat Tuesday?

If you plan to celebrate Fat Tuesday on March 1 with a doughnut or slice of King Cake, learn about the origins of the tradition.

America's 10 Tallest and Shortest Presidents

The average height of the U.S. presidents is 5 feet 10 inches, but there have been plenty of outliers in American history.

Pennsylvania state capitol building in Harrisburg.

What’s the Difference Between a State and a Commonwealth?

Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Massachusetts are technically commonwealths, not states. Here's the meaning behind the term.

Alvin Karpis shows the FBI his altered fingerprints in 1936.

When the Mob Turned to Plastic Surgeons to Erase Their Fingerprints

In the 1930s, gangsters like John Dillinger thought they could erase their criminal past by erasing their prints. It wouldn't be so easy.

90 Facts About the British Royal Family

From how they became the Mountbatten-Windsors to the last person in line to the throne, here's what you need to know about the British royal family.

A 1912 illustration of the Titanic sinking by Willy Stöwer.

How Long Did It Take for the Titanic to Sink?

As anyone who’s seen the movie ‘Titanic’ already knows, the ship didn’t sink immediately. So how long was the process?

A group of men at the State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Meeting held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, circa 1900.

Watch: Rare Footage of All-Black Towns in 1920s America

In the decades after slavery, dozens of thriving Black communities appeared in Oklahoma. This rare footage gives us an intimate look at life in these towns a century ago.

Georgia Gilmore's food helped feed the civil rights movement.

Georgia Gilmore, the Alabama Cook Who Fueled the Civil Rights Movement With Food

Georgia Gilmore played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement—one of feeding and funding those at the frontlines. A marvelous cook, she took it upon herself to bring together a secret society-esque group of women who used food to fuel the movement.

Intestinal Worms Just Helped Researchers Identify an Ancient Roman Chamber Pot

Roughly 1500 years ago, someone in Sicily suffered from intestinal worms. Here’s why researchers are excited about that.

What Does Goodbye Actually Mean?

You’re not really wishing someone a good ‘bye.’ ‘Bye’ is just an abbreviation—and ‘good’ is sort of a mistake.

11 Fascinating Facts About Fabergé Eggs

Fabergé eggs have long been symbols of craftsmanship, prestige, and ultimately tragedy. They tell a story of the wealth, power, and decadence that would seal the fate of the Romanovs.

10 Mysterious Incidents at the Bermuda Triangle

Most shipwrecks can usually be blamed on weather, currents, or mechanical failures. For others, the Bermuda Triangle could be the culprit.

"Power my horseless carriage with water? The hell you say!"

Fuel's Errand: Louis Enricht and the Great Gasoline Hoax of 1916

With one drop of his mysterious green liquid, Louis Enricht claimed he could turn water into nearly-free fuel. He was a dirty liar.

Sex Symbol: How Antinous Became a Gay Code Word in the Victorian Era

The Greek youth Antinous drowned in the Nile—but he would go on to have one of the most remarkable afterlives in history.

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