Mental Floss

LISTS

Spirit Halloween stores are a sign Halloween has arrived.

The seasonal workers of the most popular Halloween shop in the country share stories of messy customers, employee perks, and URP (Unexplained Retail Phenomena).

Jake Rossen
Jeremy Strong and Sacha Baron Cohen in The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020).

The 1968 Democratic National Convention was marred by protests and five days and nights of violent confrontations between police and protestors. Though many people were arrested, none were as infamous as the Chicago Seven.

Scott Beggs


The flag for the United States Space Force.

On December 20, 2019, Donald Trump signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, creating a sixth branch of the U.S. military: The United States Space Force.

Tony Dunnell


Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Emily Roeske, and Joey Zimmerman in Halloweentown (1998).

For Disney Channel Original Movie fans, spooky season can only mean one thing: It’s time to watch 'Halloweentown.'

Kerry Wolfe






A photo of Radiohead members Phil Selway, Jonny Greenwood, Thom Yorke, Colin Greenwood, and Ed O'Brien in 1995.

When Radiohead released 'Kid A' on October 2, 2000, few people were prepared for the album—or the lasting effect it would have on the music industry.

Mimi Kenny


The cast of Cop Rock—in a rare moment of not singing about law and order.

There’s a time and a place for a jaunty Hall & Oates pastiche, but—as the creators of 'Cop Rock' discovered the hard way—it’s probably not in the middle of a self-described “baby merchant” getting caught in a child abduction sting.

Jon O'Brien




Tom Ellis stars as Lucifer Morningstar in Lucifer.

'Lucifer' has been through a lot in its five seasons (and counting), including one petition to be canceled before it ever even aired, an actual cancelation after three seasons, and a resurrection thanks to fans—and Netflix.

Scott Beggs
There’s more to Vincent Price than just his iconic horror movie roles.

Although Vincent Price's contributions to the Hollywood are truly unparalleled, few people know that there is much more to him beyond his classic horror performances.

Carla Delgado








Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin in House Party (1990).

Reginald Hudlin's 'House Party' proved to Hollywood that the growing interest in Black cinema seen in the late 1980s was no mere fad.

Faridah Gbadamosi
The Clash—Joe Strummer, Paul Simonon, Mick Jones, and Nicky 'Topper' Headon—in New York in 1978.

Rolling Stone named 'London Calling,' the landmark third album by English rockers The Clash, #1 on its list of the 100 Best Albums of the 1980s—and with good reason.

Kenneth Partridge
Say goodbye to the highway simulator.

The majority of American teenagers once learned how to drive in driver's ed. Today, you won't find these staples of highway safety instruction in the classroom.

Angela Hatem