Mental Floss

LISTS

These Latino New Year's Eve traditions will (hopefully) bring good luck.

Each year, when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, countries throughout Latin America ring in the new year with unique traditions.

Roxana Becerril












In 2021, scientists identified what is believed to be the earliest known human victim of a shark attack.

While many of us spent the bulk of 2021 stuck inside (again), we learned—for the second year in a row—that groundbreaking discoveries in archaeology, paleontology, astrology, and Skeet Ulrich’s filmography don’t stop just because of a pandemic.

Editorial Staff




Unsung heroes from history.

History may be written by the victors, but it’s high time some of history’s quieter contributors got the attention they deserve.

Zoë Randolph
Chimpanzees hang out in Gombe National Park.

Chimpanzees share about 98 percent of their genes with humans, but you wouldn't want to invite this side of the family over for dinner.

Liz Langley




Run-DMC pictured in 1987.

It took a little convincing, but in 1987—fresh off their smash hit album 'Raising Hell'—Run-DMC agreed to record a holiday song for the star-studded charity album 'A Very Special Christmas.' And a Christmas classic was born.

Kenneth Partridge




Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and The Duchess of Sussex leave following their wedding ceremony in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.

From England to Japan, royal family members have been upending tradition and risking it all to be with the people they love for decades.

Kaeli Conforti