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Josephine Baker Will Be the First Black Woman Buried in Paris’s Panthéon

Paris’s Panthéon houses graves for just five women. Josephine Baker—star, spy, and civil rights activist—is about to become the sixth.

Window blinds are usually seen facing down--just how your neighborhood Peeping Tom likes it.

Which Way Should Window Blinds Face?

Buying a set of mini-blinds comes with a huge decision: Should they be facing up or down? The answer depends on your need for privacy.

The Quest for the North Pole Bonus Episode 3: Family Reunions

While on their quest for the North Pole, Robert Peary and Matthew Henson had sons with Inughuit women. In the 1980s, an ambitious Harvard neuroscientist brought them to America.

The Curious Viewer is almost as indispensable as your remote control. It also requires no batteries.

Introducing The Curious Viewer, the Mental Floss Binge-Watcher's Guide to the Greatest Shows of the Past 20 Years

In 'The Curious Viewer,' we take a deep dive into some of the best and most binge-worthy shows of the past 20 years. Who knows? You might discover your next time-sucking addiction here.

Janis Joplin in Columbus, Ohio in the summer of 1970.

11 Surprising Facts About Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin didn’t have a long or prolific career. The freewheeling Texas blues-rock howler recorded just four albums between 1967 and 1970. But in that short time, she left an indelible mark on rock ’n’ roll history.

Where Do We Get the Term Spitting Image?

The figurative meaning of ‘spitting image’ couldn’t be clearer. The literal meaning depends on which linguist you ask.

Why Are Baby Carrots Always So Wet?

There is a good reason why baby carrots tend to be slimier than their full-sized counterparts—and it has to do with the white stuff you sometimes see on the outside of them.

How to Silence Emergency Alerts on Your iPhone

Your iPhone’s weather alerts (and other emergency notifications) are trying to keep you safe, but there is a way to make them do it more quietly.

Why Are They Called Polka Dots?

Polka dots are a major part of fashion, but that wasn't always the case. Here's the history behind the design—and why they're called polka dots in the first place.

Jelly Belly’s New BeanBoozled Flavors Include Old Bandage and Liver and Onions

If you've ever wondered what an old bandage tastes like, try some BeanBoozled jelly beans from Jelly Belly.

You're never too old to improve yourself--or out-lift people half your age.

Raw Granny Power: 100-Year-Old Woman Is the World's Oldest Female Powerlifter

Edith Murway-Traina took up weight training at the age of 91 and can now deadlift more than some of the people reading this.

Employee of Grand Teton National Park seated on a truck.

20 Odd Jobs With America's National Parks

Park rangers make up just a fraction of the 22,000 people employed by U.S. National Parks. Here are some unexpected jobs offered by the service.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg during a Supreme Court photo shoot in 2006.

Notorious RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Work Will Be the Subject of a New Exhibition at the New-York Historical Society

‘Notorious RBG,’ the bestselling book, has inspired a traveling retrospective dedicated to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Plastic dividers may do little to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Those Plastic COVID-19 Barriers in Stores Probably Aren't Helping Anyone

The Plexiglas barricades seen in retail stores and other businesses probably won't reduce the spread of COVID-19. In some cases, they may even make things worse.

They really could be immunologists, virologists, or epidemiologists.

Immunologist vs. Virologist vs. Epidemiologist: What’s the Difference?

What does an epidemiologist do? Not the same thing as an immunologist or a virologist. Here’s how to keep them straight.

The Most and Least Expensive Cities for Pizza in the U.S.

To see how far your dollar will get you in pizzerias around the country, check out these lists of the cheapest and most expensive cities for pizza.

mihailomilovanovic/iStock via Getty Images

The Surprising Reason Your Muscles Get Tired When You Exercise

Though it may be annoying, sudden muscle fatigue during exercise is nothing to worry about. It's a byproduct of the way your body uses energy.

Saving Money vs. Paying Off Debt: Which One Should Come First?

Reaching a balance between saving money and paying off debt is a sign of healthy finances. Here are a few tips for getting there.

David Clark, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0

Don’t Smell the Flowers: How Alnwick Castle’s Poison Garden Finds Beauty in the World’s Deadliest Plants

Smelling or touching the plants in the Poison Garden at the UK's Alnwick Castle could send you to the hospital.

Orson Welles on the set of 'Verites et mensonges' ('F For Fake' or 'Truths and Lies').

The 20 Greatest Movies Hollywood Never Made

From 'Superman Lives' to 'Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian,' these are the greatest movies we'll (probably) never get to see.

The Most Popular Children’s Book From Every Country

The best children’s books of all time come from all over the world, from Ed Young’s ‘Seven Blind Mice’ to Ana María Machado’s ‘Niña Bonita.’

The 25 Most Expensive Small Towns in America

Residents of one of the most expensive small towns in America can spend just as much on real estate as city-dwellers.

Maria Andrejczyk gave up her silver medal for a good cause.

Polish Olympian Maria Andrejczyk Sold Her Silver Medal for the Best Possible Reason

Maria Andrejczyk earned her first-ever Olympic medal this summer after battling back from bone cancer. She immediately sold it in order to help an 8-month-old in need.

Who wants walkies? This good boy wants walkies. (Asking him about a sensible exercise regimen doesn't have quite the same ring to it.)

Here's How Often You Should Walk Your Dog

How long dogs need to be walked depends largely on their breed, size, and face shape. We're not kidding about that last part.

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