The Story Behind 'The Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County'
1800s | May 22, 2019
A young boy encourages his frog to perform a long jump. AFP PHOTO Source: (Photo credit STR/AFP/Getty Images) American author Samuel Clemens, better known by hi...
Where Did Crystal Balls Come From?
Ancient History | May 21, 2019
Crystal ball of a fortune teller. Source: (Photo by Wodicka/ullstein bild via Getty Images) The crystal ball is a standard piece equipment for any modern "fortune teller," but where ...
The Brothers Grimm: History Of More Than Just Fairytales
1800s | May 20, 2019
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Source: (Photo by ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images) We all know the Brothers Grimm from their collections of fairytales, in...
Saddle Shoes: The Two-Tone Classic That Took 40 Years To Get Popular
Vintage Fashion | May 19, 2019
Close-up of the feet of a student in a saddle shoes and a plaid skirt outside Oakland High School, Oakland, Calfornia, 1950. Source: (Photo by Loomis ...
The Blair Witch Project: The First Viral Vlog?
Movies | May 18, 2019
Remember when The Blair Witch Project came out in 1999? People either loved it or hated it, but no matter which side of the fence you are on, you have to admit that this...
“When It Rains, It Pours”: The History Of The Morton Salt Girl
1900s | May 17, 2019
Remember the Morton Salt Girl? Of course you do, Morton table salt still puts that girl (and her umbrella) on every package of their truly iconic sal...
Judy Blume: The Young Adult Author That Got You Through Puberty
1970s | May 16, 2019
If you were an adolescent or teen in the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s, you probably owe thanks to American author, Judy Blume, for helping you navigate the tre...
Are Tomatoes Fruits Or Vegetables?: The Supreme's Court 1893 Decision
1800s | May 15, 2019
A woman picks a tomato at a market. Source: (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) The tomato… is it a fruit or a vegetable? Ask a group of botan...
What You Didn’t Know About Lady Bird Johnson: LBJ's First Lady
People | May 14, 2019
Lady Bird Johnson standing in the Blue Room of the White House, on a Savonnerie carpet, wearing a red evening gown. Source: (Photo by Horst P. Horst/Conde...
Mr. Owl and the Question that Plagues Mankind
1960s | May 13, 2019
Forget the meaning of life…the biggest unsolved question that has plagued mankind since at least 1968 is “how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Po...
Hitting the Rails: Hobo Life
Historical Facts | May 12, 2019
When the Great Depression hit, jobs dried up and families lost their houses and farms. In desperation, many hard-working, able-bodied men left home in search of any work they could get. T...
Hairpin Insanity: San Francisco’s Famous Lombard Street
historical landmarks | May 11, 2019
San Francisco is home to many iconic sites—the Gold Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and the townhouse from Full House. Add to that Lombard Street, ...
It All Adds Up: The History of the Calculator
Ancient History | May 10, 2019
The teacher teaches kids knowledge of abacus in Hengshui City. Source: (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong via Getty Images) Since no one likes doing mental math, humans have devices ways ...
Scandalous Music: Songs That Were Banned in the 1950s
1950s | May 9, 2019
American singer and actress Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002), circa 1955. Source: (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) When compared to many of today’s p...
The Horse Who Would Be Senator: Caligula and His Unconventional Appointee
Ancient History | May 8, 2019
In ancient Rome, the politicians were known for some of their wacky behavior, but Caligula has them all beat. The fourth emperor of Rome, enga...
American Dream: The Rise and Fall of Studebaker
1800s | May 7, 2019
A happy couple smiling behind a new 1940 Studebaker outdoors in a field. Source: (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Standing in a leaking, cold, and shuttered wareho...
Folktale Origins Of Wishing Wells
Historical Facts | May 6, 2019
Wishing well at Ramona marriage place old town, San Diego, California, 1930. Source: (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) In the mall, in the park, or in your neighbor’s fron...
The Sweet and Salty History of the Margarita
Events | May 5, 2019
Mexico Jalisco Puerto Vallarta Frosted glass of a margarita cocktail served with ice and slice of lime with whole limes at side. Source: (Photo by: Eye Ubiquitous/UIG via Get...
Why Aren’t We All Flying Around in Jetpacks?
Recent History | May 4, 2019
David Mayman, (Company Founder of Jetpack Aviation in California, flies up the Goodwood Hill displaying his JB11 JetPack at Goodwood on July 14, 2018 in Chichester, England...
What’s a Whirling Dervish?
Events | May 3, 2019
You’ve undoubtedly heard the term ‘whirling dervish’ before, but you may not be aware of the important cultural and spiritual tradition of these frenzied, spinning Turkish dancers. For ou...
What You Didn’t Know About The Wright Brothers
People | May 2, 2019
You’ve heard the history lessons that tell us that, in 1903, brothers Wilber and Orville Wright became the first humans to fly when they lifted off from a sand dune in...
Peggy Sue, The Original Rock Groupie Chick
Events | May 1, 2019
In the 1960s and 1970s, the idea of a rock groupie chick, a pretty young girl who hung out with the band, partied with them and dated one or more of the musicians, was well-...
May Day: Welcoming Spring
Events | April 30, 2019
Queen Elizabeth II watches maypole dancers. Source: (Photo by Tim Ireland/PA Images via Getty Images) Although the Spring Equinox occurs several weeks earlier, many ancient cultures celebrate...
Demoting Pluto
Recent History | April 29, 2019
The Sun and Planets of our Solar System Including Pluto. (Photo by: Education Images/UIG via Getty Images) Since 1930, all of our science textbooks have told us that the Milky Way solar system had nine ...
Who Was Cotton Mather? Brilliant Scientist, Misguided Minister
People | April 28, 2019
Circa 1710, Cotton Mather (1663-1728). American Congregational clergyman. Source: (Photo by Stock Montage/Getty Images). In Puritan New England in the 169...
Discovering the Venus de Milo
1800s | April 27, 2019
The Venus de Milo at the Louvre Museum. Source: (Photo by Francois LOCHON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) One of the most-recognized sculptures in the world, Venus de Milo is an exquisite e...
How Did Werewolf Legends Start?
Historical Facts | April 26, 2019
American actor Glenn Strange (1899 - 1973) is transformed into a werewolf in the film 'The Mad Monster', 1942. Source: (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images) Most myths and legends have...
The Ten Commandments In The New Mexico Desert
Archaeological FInds | April 25, 2019
Deep in the desert of New Mexico, near the town of Los Lunas, about 35 miles south of Albuquerque, is a strange, carved stone that some people claim is evidence that the ...
Yogi Bear: Smarter Than Your Average Bear
Funny History | April 24, 2019
Cartoon characters Yogi Bear and Boo Boo visit the The Empire State Building on December 16, 2010 in New York City. Source: (Photo by Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Images) ...
Special Delivery: Why Storks Bring Babies
Literature | April 23, 2019
It is one of our most common trope…a long-legged, white stork carrying a newborn baby in a white cloth bundle, delivering the child to its new parents. This is the story that...
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