Mental Floss

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The Alfred Wegener Institute research ship Polarstern reached the North Pole on August 19, 2020, during the year-long MOSAiC expedition to study climate change in the Arctic.

For most of history, the North Pole was the stuff of legends and wild theories. Now people run a marathon there every April. Here are more unexpected facts about the top of the world.

Shoshi Parks
Popular Weekly World News cover monster Bat Boy.

Though it feels a little bit like choosing a favorite child, of the thousands of stories Mental Floss publishes in any year, our staffers are bound to have some particular favorites. Here are some of 2020's (Bay Boy included).

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"So that's why I twitch in my sleep!"

While the COVID-19 pandemic was a driving force behind some of Mental Floss's most popular stories of 2020, the historical precedent of the 1918 pandemic was clearly of interest, too.

mentalfloss .com


Octavia E. Butler autographs a copy of Fledgling at a book signing.

Born in Pasadena, California, on June 22, 1947, science fiction author Octavia E. Butler was one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century.

Kritika Agrawal
Ripped denim and bellbottoms have some unusual origins.

From high-waisted denim and ultra-wide legs to extreme cut-outs and double denim, jeans have seen their fair share of dubious trends (and outright fashion disasters). Here are nine (sometimes embarrassing) demin trends and where they came from.

Emily Reily
The Thatcher Estate // Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Some people remember former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as the quick-witted "Iron Lady" who resolutely lead the U.K. through the end of the Cold War. Others recall her as a heartless conservative hardliner who tore down labor unions while str

Nick Keppler




Image by Jill White from Pixabay

From giant parrots and penguins to really old poop and The Bone Wars to the difference between body fossils and trace fossils, here are a few fascinating facts about fossils.

Meredith Danko




Jim Carrey in Kidding.

Elastic comedian-turned-actor Jim Carrey once had to defend himself in comedy clubs with broken beer bottles. He also had to endure the wrath of Tommy Lee Jones.

Jake Rossen
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Over the course of its nine seasons, 'Seinfeld' created plenty of memorable moments—many of which came from the iconic sitcom's holiday-themed episodes. Read on to discover the best of them (and have a happy Festivus)!

Nick Mordowanec
Photo by Askar Abayev from Pexels

More than 50 years after its inception in 1966, Kwanzaa is still being observed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day by people around the world.

Robyn McGee




Ella Fitzgerald sings in New York City as Dizzy Gillespie looks on.

Signs of Christmastime are different all over the world, as are Christmas traditions. But, no matter where you are or how you celebrate the holiday, one thing that is universal during the holiday season: Christmas music.

Olivia Truffaut-Wong


Silver Buffalo/Toynk

Treat your Golden Girl to some fun toys, mugs, and accessories based on the classic show about four women living together. Any 'Golden Girls' fan would love all the items on this gift guide this holiday season.

Molly Gregory