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How a single word changed the meaning of one of history's most famous phrases.
Misconceptions
In medieval Europe, couples sometimes got married without attending their own wedding. Here's how proxy marriages actually worked.
That motivational Henry David Thoreau quote might actually be a dupe. From "go confidently in the direction of your dreams" to "happiness is like a butterfly," these lines were never said by Thoreau at all.
Stories of pioneer life have been told through books, movies, and TV shows. But what are the myths?
From Mulan to William Tell, these icons started movements and starred in Disney movies...but weren't actually real.
While Game of Thrones showed the worst side of the bedding ceremony in its third season, the historical tradition is a little more complicated.
Frida Kahlo has become heavily mythologized, but some misconceptions—including her birth year and the idea that she was unknown during her life—are especially persistent.
From secret messages to the Liberty Bell, some of what you might believe about July 4, 1776 and the Declaration of Independence may be entirely incorrect.
Some of the Founding Fathers spread misinformation and owned slaves. Here are five false beliefs you might have about the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.
From insects to the moon, people have mistaken very Earthly phenomena for UFOs many times.
The word 'honeymoon' has been around for centuries, and there are several theories about its history.
The image of Princess Diana that most people have is not entirely accurate. Here are some myths parading as facts about the former Princess of Wales.
From "I used to think I was the strangest person in the world..." to "You deserve a lover who wants you disheveled," we’re debunking the most popular quotes frequently misattributed to Frida Kahlo.
Chlorine actually has a neutral smell—so if your pool smells strongly of chlorine, it's actually not a good sign.
Did Yoko Ono break up the Beatles, and did they all really hate each other following the band's dissolution? Learn the truth about six major Beatles misconceptions.
June 19 marks Juneteenth National Independence Day. Learn more about the history here.
From "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind to Hanson's "MMMBop," these deceptively cheerful '90s songs hid dark messages behind upbeat music.
Was Marilyn Monroe a "dumb blonde"? Did she get fired for being difficult? We debunk five common misconceptions about the Hollywood legend.
Did Caligula really make his horse a Roman consul? Ancient sources and modern historians suggest the famous story isn't quite what it seems.
Did Jim Lovell really say “Houston, we have a problem”? Not exactly. Here’s the real Apollo 13 story behind the famous misquote.
The story of the first U.S. president's wooden dentures is one of history's most enduring myths, and it couldn't be further from reality.
More From the History Section
Long before modern conveniences, American Frontier children helped their families survive with chores like fetching water, hunting, and farming.
Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska" drew inspiration from Charles Starkweather's infamous 1958 murder spree, transforming true crime into one of rock's greatest songs.
From Anne Boleyn to Abraham Lincoln, these historical figures have inspired all manner of ghost stories and legends since their (usually violent) deaths.
These seemingly boring items can tell us a lot about the home life of the ancient Greeks.
Before Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii in ash, it was a thriving city filled with busy homes and bustling streets.
Sin-eaters took on the sins of the dead by eating bread over a corpse. Learn the history behind one of the creepiest jobs ever documented.
Why do we say “add insult to injury”? Discover the surprising history behind this common phrase, which dates back to Ancient Rome.
From dog-powered roasting jacks to sand used for cleaning, these items were staples for Regency families.