History
Harrison usually ranks at the bottom of historians’ rankings of U.S. presidents. He died a month into his term…but he still ranks above other presidents, like James Buchanan, whose mishandling of public affairs led to the Civil War. So what did Harrison actually accomplish in his short time in office to save himself from being the […]
Historical records date the first ancient Olympic games to 776 BCE. The games were originally held every four years in Olympia, in southwestern Greece, with competitors traveling from across the region’s various states. The very first Olympics lasted just one day and had a single event—a sprint race. (This article was first published in Who […]
Today’s political climate may be contentious, but it’s nothing new. The presidential election of 1876 just might still be the wildest in American history. Tilden vs. Hayes There were two major candidates: Democratic banking magnate Samuel J. Tilden, governor of New York for a little over a year, and Republican congressman and Ohio governor Rutherford […]
It’s Presidents Day, a time to celebrate our nation’s former leaders…and to acknowledge that some of them were just as strange as the rest of us…if not stranger. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) …had a bit of a stealing problem. When he visited William Shakespeare’s birthplace in England (with fellow future president John Adams) in 1786, he […]
The Romans loved spectacle, and nowhere was this more apparent than in the public shows organized by their rulers. To remain in favor, Rome’s emperors built vast venues, including the famous Colosseum and Circus Maximus, where animal hunts, public executions, and even naval battles were staged-at the cost of many human lives. (This article was […]
Here’s the little-known—and very harrowing—tale of a real Titanic survivor Violet Jessop.
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear (1889) is one of Vincent van Gogh’s most recognizable paintings The bandaged right side of his face has fascinated art historians for decades—some believe he only sliced the earlobe, while others wonder if the wound was not selfinflicted at all. (This article was first published in Who Knew?) An Earful of […]
Many countries around the world have an informal or “short form” name by which its commonly referred, and an official “long form” name. Here are some countries whose actual names you may not have known. Oriental Republic of Uruguay About the only place where it’s culturally acceptable to use the word “oriental” is when referring […]
As with many common phrases that have been around for seemingly forever, there are a lot of possible stories about its origin. The Plague of Justinian The Plague of Justinian was a particularly nasty plague that hit Europe hard during the late 6th century. Europe was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church at the time, […]
“Now here’s a little story we’ve got to tell, about a famous person you know so well. It started way back in history — someone just uncovered Paul Revere’s privy.” The Paul Revere House has stood in the North End neighborhood of Boston since 1711. Many people have lived there, but most famously Paul Revere. […]
Hobbits might be small, but The Hobbit is not. The widely read children’s fantasy book about a hobbit Bilbo Baggins on his journey to help dwarves reclaim their homeland was J.R.R. Tolkien’s first deep dive into Middle Earth. It was first published 80 years this week. The Book that Started it All The Hobbit is […]
Because sometimes you have to go to extremes…to dig up the truth. Jesse James The crime spree of notorious Wild West criminal Jesse James was put to an end in 1882, when he was shot in the head by cohort Robert Ford, reportedly to collect the substantial bounty that was out on him. The shocking […]
The U.K.’s Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris 20 years ago this week at age 36. Here are some things you may not have known about “the People’s Princess.” Marrying a Commoner Royals don’t traditionally marry commoners, and Charles and Diana are no exception. When she was 14, her father inherited the […]
Here’s the story behind two of the best-known names in America.
Here are few stories of times that somebody other than the wife of the president has served as First Lady. Jefferson Martha Wayles Jefferson, the wife of third president Thomas Jefferson, died at age 33 in 1782—nearly 20 years before Jefferson took office in 1801. So, stepping in to take on the First Lady’s duties of […]
It seems like some things are so far in the past, while others just happened a few days ago. Here’s are a few comparisons to show how tricky time can be, even in the world of pop culture. Will Smith After becoming a successful rapper while still a teenager in the ’80s, Will Smith turned […]
July 1st is Canada Day, but it’s also International Joke Day. What follows are some of the oldest known jokes in the world. The oldest joke book in the world—or at least the oldest one that’s survived to modern times, dates to Ancient Greece, and approximately the 4th century A.D. Compiled by two writers named […]
Remove your hat, place your hand on your heart, and reflect on these facts about different countries’ official songs.
