Salvador Dali: Biography, Trivia, And Facts About The Famous Surrealist Painter
People | January 24, 2021
Dalí in 1939. (Library of Congress/Wikimedia Commons) The 20th century was very nearly the century of Salvador Dalí. From 1904 to 1989, h...
Deadliest Earthquake In History: China's 1556 Quake And Its Path Of Destruction
Ancient History | January 23, 2021
China, Shaanxi Province, Wei River Valley, Wheat Fields, Loess Plateau. (Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images) On January 23, 15...
Budd Dwyer: His TV Suicide And Everything That Led Up To It
1980s | January 22, 2021
On January 22, 1987, Robert Budd Dwyer, the acting Pennsylvania state treasurer, pulled out a .357 Magnum during a press conference, put it in his mouth, an...
History Of Corsets: How Corsets Became Popular And Were Then Rationed For WWI
World War I | January 21, 2021
Modern Oddities by P. Pry Esq., Plate 1st: The Sleeves Curiously Cut, Ay There's the Villainy - vide Shakespeare, June 30, 1829. Artist Willi...
The Wannsee Conference: Where The Holocaust Was Planned In 1942
World War II | January 20, 2021
The villa Am Großen Wannsee 56–58, where the Wannsee Conference was held, is now a memorial and museum. (A.Savin/Wikimedia Commons) When the Nazis gather...
The History Of The U.S.'s Peaceful Transition Of Power
Historical Facts | January 19, 2021
The "President's House" in 1807. (White House/Wikimedia Commons) For as long as the U.S. has had a government, a peaceful transition of power has been fundamental...
When Explorer James Cook Discovered Hawaii And Was Boiled By Natives
People | January 18, 2021
Death of Captain Cook. (John Webber/Wikimedia Commons) James Cook was one of the most prolific British sea captains, navigators, and explorers durin...
Benjamin Franklin: Biography, Trivia, And Facts About The Founding Father
People | January 17, 2021
1767, oil on canvas on panel, located in the White House, Washington, DC, USA. (VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images) The guy from the Dos Equis ...
Benedict Arnold: Biography And Facts About The Double-Crossing Historic Figure
Military History | January 16, 2021
While history defines Benedict Arnold by his one act of treason against the United States, there is much more to this key figure of the R...
Senate Sergeant At Arms: History Of The Police Officer That Protects The U.S Senate Floor
Historical Facts | January 15, 2021
You may not realize it, but the sergeant at arms and doorkeeper of the United States Senate has one of the most important jobs...
Martin Luther King, Jr.: Biography And Facts About The Civil Rights Movement's Greatest Orator
People | January 14, 2021
(National Archives and Records Administration/Wikimedia Commons) Whether you were alive when Martin Luther King, Jr. was m...
Dalai Lama History: Biography, History, And Legacy Of The Dalai Lama
People | January 13, 2021
The 14th Dalai Lama holding a speach in Vienna, Austria. (Wolfgang H. Wögerer, Vienna, Austria/Wikimedia Commons) As the spiritual leader of Tibetan...
The Conditions On The Mayflower: What Was It Like On The Famous Ship?
British History | January 12, 2021
The replica of the Mayflower under sail on its way back to Plymouth Harbor. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) Our elementary school lessons about...
The Conditions On Slave Ships: What Was It Like On A Slave Ship?
British History | January 11, 2021
1835: Slaves aboard a slave ship being shackled before being put in the hold. Illustration by Swain (Rischgitz/Getty Images) Imagine you're standing on ...
Where Does The Term 'Redneck' Come From? How Redneck Culture Was Originally Far Left
Historical Facts | January 10, 2021
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy is shown performing on stage during a "live" concert appearance on April 12, 2014. (John Atashian/Getty Images...
The Whiskey Ring: The First Time Abraham Lincoln's Republican Party Lost Credibility
1800s | January 9, 2021
A contemporary cartoon about the Whiskey Ring. (Thomas Nast/Wikimedia Commons) We think of the splintering of American political par...
War Of 1812: The Last Time The Capitol Was Stormed In A Coup
1800s | January 8, 2021
The British burning Washington. (Paul M. Rapin de Thoyras/Wikimedia Commons) Despite its catchy title, the War of 1812, when Americans watched as their capi...
The Toy Box Killer A.K.A. David Parker Ray: Serial Killer Who Sexually Tortured Women In His Trailer
Recent History | January 7, 2021
David Parker Ray was one of America's most prolific and grotesque serial killers despite the fact that he was never...
The U.S.'s Most Destructive Zoos
Animals in History | January 6, 2021
Every year, millions of people around the world visit zoos and animal-themed amusement parks, yet the practice of collecting and displaying wild animals has long been a controversial ...
Chimney Sweepers Act of 1788: Child Labor Law That Allowed Eight-Year-Olds To Work Legally
British History | January 5, 2021
The Chimney Sweep, 1843, by Angelo Inganni (1807-1880). Oil on canvas, 46.5x46.5 cm. (DeAgostini/Getty Images) Mary Poppins mi...
Mayan Codex: Codices (Paper Media) Were Destroyed By Conquistadors, Leaving Only Three (Or Four)
Ancient History | January 4, 2021
(Joern Haufe/Getty Images) At the peak of its power, the Mayan Empire of Mesoamerica was a complex culture with sophisti...
The Crimes Of Christopher Columbus: Why He Was Brought Back To Spain In Chains
Medieval History | January 3, 2021
Posthumous portrait of Christopher Columbus by Sebastiano del Piombo, 1519. (Metropolitan Museum of Art/Wikimedia Commons) He's considered...
The History Of Sriracha: How The Famous Vietnamese Condiment Made It To The U.S.
Historical Facts | January 2, 2021
A man dresses up with his hot dog with Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Sauce. (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images) As the hottest (literally) h...
The History Of Food Delivery: How Fast Takeout Became A Human Fact Of Life
Historical Facts | January 1, 2021
Whether you've got a craving for pizza, pot stickers, or pho, there's probably a restaurant that's willing to deliver that scrumptious treat ...
A Brief History of Champagne: Where Did Champagne Come From And How?
Historical Facts | December 31, 2020
In a celebratory setting, a man's hands pour champagne into a glass slipper, while bubbles float in the background, ca.1970s. (Photo by Tom Kelley/Get...
Times Square History: The Weird Story Of The Evolution Of New York's Tourist Mecca
historical landmarks | December 30, 2020
(Byron Company/Wikimedia Commons) Anyone who visits New York City is bound to make their way to Times Square, the mecca of tourism in ...
History Of Fireworks: Who Invented Fireworks, And Why Do We Celebrate With Them?
Ancient History | December 29, 2020
(Mughal Style/Wikimedia Commons) Today, anyone can pick up inexpensive fireworks from a roadside stand, but long before they were an eas...
Cultures That Don't Celebrate New Year's Day On January 1
Historical Facts | December 28, 2020
Performers take part in the traditional dragon-and-drums Chinese new year parade. (Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images) As midnight approaches on December 31, the ...
The Gregorian Calendar: Why Are The Months And Days The Way They Are?
Medieval History | December 27, 2020
(Biblioteca del Vaticano/Wikimedia Commons) January 1 marks the start of a new year, at least according to the Gregorian calendar. We've been using...
Boxing Day History: The True Origins Of Why We Celebrate Boxing Day
1800s | December 26, 2020
To many parts of the world, Boxing Day is a big deal, but in others, it hasn't caught on quite like it did in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Cana...
Do You Remember?
Editor's Picks
Join the movement
Social Media
