The True Origins Of The Phrase Turn A Blind Eye
Idioms enter language in many times and many different ways. Historical context can be important -- the when and why of a phrase that's been handed on.
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The Surprising Effect WWII Had On Sliced Bread
Sliced bread is a staple of many American households, but there was once a ban on sliced bread during World War II, supposedly to help the war effort.
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Here's Who Inherited Benjamin Franklin's Money After He Died
Comedian W.C. Fields supposedly said, "Where there's a will, prosperity is just around the corner." Ben Franklin's will created some significant piles of cash.
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The Biggest Theories On Why We Call Marines Jarheads
Marines are often known by the nickname "jarheads," but where does that name come from and what does it mean? These are the biggest theories on its origin.
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What Is An Easter Bonfire?
Many fields of learning rely on symbolism and tradition to make connections, sometimes borrowing one from another and adapting it as needed.
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Who Invented The Barbie Doll?
Barbie Dolls are among the most popular toys ever created, spanning several decades. This is the story of Ruth Handler, the inventor of Barbie Dolls.
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When Was The Easter Bunny's First Visit To The White House?
The annual Easter egg roll at the White House has been an event for over 140 years. However, the Easter bunny didn't make its appearance until much later
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How Scandinavians Incorporate Witches Into Their Easter Celebration
Eastern isn't typically associated with witches, at least not in the U.S., but in Scandinavian tradition witches play a prominent role in the holiday.
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What Happened To Construx Toys?
Construx toys were popular in the late 1980s, but soon fell out of fashion, only to be revived again in 2017. Here's what happened to Construx toys.
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Australia's Outback Version Of The Easter Bunny Isn't What You'd Expect
The Easter Bunny has become the official symbol of Easter in the U.S. and around the world, but in Australia, another creature represents Easter.
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Where Do Potholes Come From?
Potholes are those annoying voids of asphalt in the road that force drivers to slow down or swerve. But, there is a natural process by which they are formed.
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What Hygiene In America Was Like 100 Years Ago
Americans take their hygiene very seriously these days, but it wasn't always like that. This is what hygiene in America was like 100 years ago.
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Who Carved Lincoln's Statue In The Lincoln Memorial?
The Lincoln Memorial is one of the the most famous monuments in the U.S., but what's the story behind it. This is the story of who carved the Lincoln Memorial.
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Did Pirate Prisoners Really Have To Walk The Plank?
Pirates have been in the collective imagination for hundreds of years and many myths abound. But, some tales of the swashbucklers may be slightly dubious.
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The Grim Truth About The Woman Who Raised Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein's mother is described as cold and domineering. Here is the grim truth about the woman who raised a mass-murdering dictator.
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Is Ben-Hur Based On A Real Person?
Ben-Hur is one of the most successful movies in Oscar history, winning 11 Academy Awards in 1960. But was the story of a vengeful charioteer based in truth?
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What Is The Judicial Handshake Of The Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court is rife with traditions, some that have been continued since the court's inception, but what is the judicial handshake of the Supreme Court?
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The Radical History Of Bloodletting Explained
One of Hippocrates' most famous medical theories, the four humors, inadvertently led to incalculable harm for centuries, leaving a blood bath in its wake.
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The Story Behind The Supreme Court Official Seal
The official Supreme Court seal features an American bald eagle, much like the seal of the United States. Here's the meaning behind the Supreme Court seal.
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This Is What Jesus Might Have Eaten At The Last Supper
The Last Supper is one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous paintings, depicting the final meal of Jesus Christ before his death. Here's what he may have eaten.
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Why Do The Supreme Court Justices Sit In The Order They Do?
The Supreme Court Justices always sit in the same order behind the bench and in photographs. This is the tradition that explains the seating order.
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The Most Gruesome Deaths Of Saints
In the Middle Ages, stories of the lives of saints could get downright bloodthirsty. Here are some examples of the most hideously violent saintly deaths.
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How Did July Get Its Name?
July is currently the calendrical seventh month, but it wasn't always that way. Also, the summer month got its name from a controversial historical figure.
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These Are The Longest-Tenured Supreme Court Justices
They are not elected; they're appointed, then must be approved. They are the men and women who serve as Justices of the United States Supreme Court.
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Why Was It Called The Dark Ages?
The Dark Ages: Everyone things they know what they were, when they were, what they were like. The truth, as with most history, is complicated.
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What Exactly Are Frankincense And Myrrh?
The celebration of Christmas is full of symbols, both secular and religious. Two items frequently mentioned are gifts from the magi: frankincense and myrrh.
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This President Hosted The Very First Easter Egg Roll
Holidays bring their unique qualities to the pages of the calendar. Included on the list for Easter is the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
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