POLITICS

The cover of the English edition of the book.

Zabiba and the King: The 2000 Romance Novel ... Written by Saddam Hussein

It’s literally about a mighty king’s love affair with a commoner, but it’s figuratively about Operation Desert Storm.

Sorghaghtani Beki, Genghis Khan's daughter-in-law, was a powerful ruler.

When Mongol Queens Ruled the Silk Road

The daughters of Genghis Khan ruled nations that controlled the Silk Road, the favored route for trading spices, cloth, pottery, and other goods between China, India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.

Buckling up was once a political statement.

When a Radio Host Led an Uprising Against Massachusetts’s Seat Belt Law

“We are smart enough to buckle up without police, tickets, and Big Brother,” Jerry Williams said. But were they?

No word yet on whether Amy Adams will be a member of the task force.

The Federal Government Is Organizing a Task Force to Examine UFO Sightings—Because Aliens

The Navy keeps spotting UFOs along the coast, and the Department of Defense wants to get to the bottom of it.

Inclement weather doesn't stop them, but a lack of funding could.

The U.S. Postal Service Is Struggling—Buying Stamps Can Help

You can decorate your envelope with Sally Ride, Scooby-Doo, or a lovely portrait of mustachioed Walt Whitman.

Barack Obama walks on the colonnade after leaving the Oval Office for the last time as President on January 20, 2017.

What Benefits Do Presidents Get After They Leave Office?

The Former Presidents Act, which was passed by Dwight Eisenhower in 1958—largely to help Harry Truman, who struggled financially after leaving the Oval Office—entitles ex-presidents to a handful of benefits.

10 Fierce Facts About Bella Abzug

“Larger than life” sums up Bella Abzug. The New York-based Democratic congresswoman gained 1970s notoriety with her big hats and bold feminist voice.

Do Politicians Need a Musician's Permission to Play One of Their Songs at a Campaign Event?

Plenty of musicians complain when a political candidate uses their work as part of a campaign event. How did they manage to play it in the first place?

Eugene Debs ran for President of the United States five times from 1900 through 1920.

Eugene V. Debs, the Five-Time Socialist Candidate for President Who Once Campaigned From Prison

Eugene Debs was a union leader, a Socialist, and a presidential candidate who ran for office from behind bars.

American athlete Tommie Smith, wearing black socks, celebrates after crossing the finish line of the men's 200-meter final ahead of Australian Peter Norman and compatriot John Carlos during the Mexico Olympic Games.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos Shocked the World—and Sacrificed Their Careers—By Protesting Racism at the 1968 Olympics

When Tommie Smith and John Carlos each raised a black-gloved fist on the Olympic podium, 50,000 people fell silent. Then, the booing started.

Sadly, Congress voted 'No' on using Thomas Edison's voting machine.

Thomas Edison’s First Patented Invention—a Voting Machine for Congress—Was a Total Flop

“If there is any invention on earth that we don't want down here, that is it,” a Congressman said about Edison’s voting machine.

Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and other Sesame Street characters will help experts respond to viewer-submitted questions during the event.

Sesame Street and CNN to Host a Kid-Focused Town Hall About Racism and the Recent Protests

This Saturday, experts and ‘Sesame Street’ characters will answer viewer-submitted questions about racism, diversity, and the nationwide protests.

President George Bush consults with senior staff in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

A Brief History of the White House Bunker

Pearl Harbor prompted the White House to build a bomb shelter, and 9/11 might have prompted the construction of another.

That red ribbon is the literal "red tape" that we now use as an idiom to describe bureaucratic processes.

The Arlington National Cemetery Just Opened Its Time Capsule from 1915—See What’s Inside

The items from Woodrow Wilson’s century-old time capsule are on virtual display just in time for Memorial Day.

10 Heroic Facts About Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, and one of the first openly gay politicians elected to office in all of America. He also had a major issue with dog poop.

Alessandra Mussolini, the granddaughter of Benito Mussolini.

What the Descendants of 8 Controversial Historical Figures Are Doing Today

You can learn a lot about your family through genealogy, and you can’t hide from your past! (Especially if you’re on the cover of 'Playboy.')

14 Animals Who Ran for Office

From canine mayors to equine councilmen, these animal politicians prove politics really has gone to the dogs—and cats, goats, gorillas, and other critters.

Why Is the White House White?

The White House looks lovely against the lush green lawn, but that’s not why it was originally painted white.

Mikhail Gorbachev became an unlikely spokesperson for Pizza Hut in 1997.

Watch Mikhail Gorbachev Hawk Pizza Hut in This Retro 1997 Commercial

The onetime leader of the Soviet Union made an unlikely appearance in an expensive commercial shot on location in Moscow. But Gorbachev had one condition: He wouldn't actually eat any pizza.

Gracie Allen laughed her way to a presidential run in 1940.

How Gracie Allen and the Surprise Party Got 1940s America Excited to Vote

Although the stunt was obviously a joke, “Vote for Gracie” buttons popped up around the U.S. Harvard students pledged their support for Allen’s campaign.

An 1888 issue of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper depicts women's suffrage in the Wyoming territory.

Why Wyoming Women Were Granted Voting Rights 50 Years Before the 19th Amendment

More than 50 years before the 19th Amendment, legislators in the Wyoming Territory passed a bill granting women voting rights.

Looks like these stickers were handed out at a primary, not a caucus.

What’s the Difference Between a Primary and a Caucus?

Primary elections help us decide which presidential candidates will compete in the general election, but the processes vary by state.

Scotland Could Become the First Country to Provide Universal Period Products to Citizens

On Tuesday, Feburary 25, Members of Scottish Parliament backed the first part of a bill that would make sanitary products like pads and tampons freely available.

You’re Probably Pronouncing Nevada All Wrong

It's a question that Americans have been arguing about for decades: How exactly do you pronounce Nevada?

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