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Duck and Cover (1951) - Classic Cold War Safety Film

Classroom Cold War: When Students Were Trained to “Duck and Cover”

The nuclear anxiety of the 1950s led to two unlikely strategies: ducking under school desks and taking advice from a cartoon turtle.

The Origins of Jeppson’s Malört, Chicago’s Weirdest Liqueur

For some, drinking this wormwood-flavored Chicago liqueur is a badge of honor.

What’s the Kennection? #179

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

Why Does Driving With a Car’s Rear Windows Down Hurt Your Ears?

Cracking your car’s rear window can be a highly unpleasant experience—and physics is to blame.

15 Most Popular Baby Names From Disney

These names show up in Disney movies and shows, and they also happen to be some of the most popular baby names today.

Bill Paxton, Tom Hanks, and Kevin Bacon star in ‘Apollo 13’ (1995).

13 Surprising Facts About ‘Apollo 13’

'Apollo 13'—the dramatization of the 1970 space program crisis that kept the world on its seat—was the third highest-grossing film of 1995, and remains one of the most faithful depictions of NASA operations ever put on film.

An illustration of the moments following the ‘Enola Gay’’s deployment of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

How 12 ‘Enola Gay’ Crew Members Remember Dropping the Atomic Bomb

After dropping the atomic bomb over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, almost all of the 12 men aboard the ‘Enola Gay’ had something to say about it.

The Right Way to Pronounce ‘Gyro’

If you ask for a “jye-roh” in Greece, prepare to get some funny looks.

Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins in a promotional shoot for ‘Big.’

10 of the Best Body Swap Films

From big-hearted comedies to freaky slashers, these are the movies that most effectively harnessed the possibilities of trading places.

You deserve a bowl full of non-spoiled ice cream.

How Do You Know If Ice Cream Has Gone Bad?

No one wants to discover a freezer full of spoiled ice cream. Here’s how to tell if the creamy treat is still good—and how to make sure it’s safe to eat for as long as possible.

There better not be a dog or cat in that raft.

10 Strange and Surprisingly Specific National Park Rules

National park rules go beyond the general Leave No Trace guidelines. These surprising regulations cover everything from wildlife to waste.

Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto cradles a Game Boy.

When Nintendo’s Game Boy Helped Video Games Grow Up

Despite its name, the Game Boy's mission was to lure adults into the world of video games.

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #50

This riddle dates back to 1921—can you figure out the answer?

Pretty on the outside, spooky on the inside.

You Can Book a Haunted Stay at the Real ‘Poltergeist’ House

The infamous home from the 1982 horror film ‘Poltergeist’ is available for your next spooky getaway.

11 Solid Facts About Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore draws millions of visitors every year. Here are some facts about the controversial monument.

Watch Ken Jennings Drop Amazing Facts About Historical Figures—Can He Figure Out What They Have in Common?

We flipped the script on the Mental Floss contributor, ‘Jeopardy!’ host, and author of ‘The Complete Kennections,’ asking him to figure out what these folks all had in common.

This one‘s a juvenile female, according to the Marine Megafauna Foundation.

Newly Identified Manta Ray Species Can Grow as Big as a Van

The newly identified Atlantic manta ray is officially a distinct species.

The Short, Brilliant Life—and Lasting Legacy—of Jeff Buckley

If the only thing Jeff Buckley ever did was record his 1994 cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” he would still have a permanent spot in music history.

A massive thunderstorm turns the sky dark over a field in Sweden.

11 Powerful Facts About Thunderstorms

Storms are used to set an ominous tone in spooky stories, even as they bring much-needed relief to parched fields or distressed humans on a hot day.

Definition Detective Quiz #49

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Digital blood pressure monitors allow people to check their systolic and diastolic numbers at home.

How Does Blood Pressure Work?

You can’t actually feel your blood pressure, but it’s one of the body’s most important indicators of cardiovascular health. Here’s the lowdown on how blood pressure works—and what it means for your overall wellness.

The world changed forever when the U.S. detonated two atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945.

12 Facts About the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Eighty years after the first—and only—deployment of atomic bombs, here’s a look back at one of history’s most devastating acts of war.

We all need sunscreen, but no one needs a white cast.

Why Sunscreen Can Leave a White Cast—and How to Avoid It

Here‘s what to do if you‘re struggling with the dreaded white cast caused by sunscreen.

Tears are a treat for some butterfly species.

7 Disgusting Things Butterflies Eat

Blood, sweat, and tears (and a few other choice substances): It’s all on the menu.

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