Archive for September 2020

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Aliens (1)

Ancient History (1)

  • Broken statues

    The Weirdest Deaths From Ancient History

    From domestic life to war, from private passions to public performance, the lives of ancient people have suddenly ended in the most unexpected ways. Here are some of the weirdest deaths from ancient history.

    By S. Flannagan Read More

Animals (4)

  • Antoine Walker

    How NBA Star Antoine Walker Blew $110 Million

    Take a second to think about all the things you could do with $110 million. For most people, that number might as well be infinity. Is it even possible to squander over a hundred million bucks in one lifetime, let alone a few years? Ask Antoine Walker.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Man creating The Exorcist movie marquee

    How The Exorcist Helped Richard Branson Become A Millionaire

    Before Richard Branson was a knighted billionaire entrepreneur with a multi-national, multi-sector series of ventures, including space tourism outfit Virgin Galactic, he was a high school dropout. Then he started a record company. Here's how The Exorcist helped Richard Branson become a millionaire.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Cat and catnip

    The Real Reason Cats Absolutely Love Catnip

    Everyone knows that cat facts and cat videos make the internet go around. Some of the best revolve around the wacky, bizarre antics that cats get up to after indulging in their version of demon weed: catnip.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Is he talking?

    How Many Words Do Dogs Really Understand?

    It's man's best friend, so of course you'd like to be able to communicate with them better. You hope they understand more than the basics, like heel, sit, and stay. But does your dog really understand you? Do they grasp the concept of roll over?

    By Emilia David Read More

Assassinations (1)

  • Herschel Grynszpan

    The Obscure Assassination That Led To WWII

    Grynszpan shouted, "You are a dirty boche [slur for Germans] and in the name of 12,000 persecuted Jews, here is the document!" and shot vom Rath several times before being arrested by Parisian authorities.

    By Felix Behr Read More

Climate (1)

  • A still from The Wizard of Oz

    What You Didn't Know About The Tornado In The Wizard Of Oz

    One of the most iconic scenes in the film The Wizard of Oz involves a crazy tornado but many don't know the details behind the making of this legendary moment. It wasn't an easy task and needed a lot of ingenuity and patience. Here's what you didn't know about the tornado in The Wizard of Oz.

    By Boshika Gupta Read More

Crime (5)

Cults (1)

Dictators (1)

  • North Korean border guard

    The Craziest Ways Dictators Protect Themselves

    Many of those who study dictators as either political commentators or psychological investigators make the point that the reverse side of narcissism is paranoia. These two traits have emerged in an interweaved manner through the behavior of countless dictatorial figures throughout history.

    By S. Flannagan Read More

Entertainment (148)

History (104)

  • Campari being served in Venice

    This Is The Only Living Person Who Knows The Recipe For Campari

    The unusual liqueur has been around since 1860, when Milan-based café owner Gaspare Campari bottled some of the stuff in his basement, as recounted by Saveur. Its candied vermilion hue, spiced yet bitter taste retains a refined, unique quality that beckons the drinker to challenge their senses.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • A photograph of three Italian women displaying 21st-century fashion

    The Strange Prediction Made About 21st Century Women

    "The woman of the year 2000 will be an outsize Diana, anthropologists and beauty experts predict. She will be more than six feet tall, wear a size 11 shoe, have shoulders like a wrestler and muscles like a truck driver." According to Roe, women would have "Amazonian" proportions.

    By Daniel Leonard Read More
  • A group of Texas Rangers in 1894

    The Incredible True Story Of The Texas Rangers

    While a "day in the life of" may not be as glamorous as Chuck Norris delivering roundhouse kicks to the jaws of '90s TV ruffians, the small cadre of elite Texan police plays an actual, prominent role in the state's law enforcement and criminal investigation, kind of like a Texas-only FBI.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Pythagoras

    The Reason Why Pythagoras Might Not Have Been Real

    The majority of people who've never taken a philosophy class have a hard time naming -- or caring about, for that matter -- more than a handful of philosophers, but any middle school student could tell you who Pythagoras was. He was the guy with the triangles. All of the "a²+b²=c²" nonsense.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Medieval feast

    What It Was Really Like On New Year's, 1000 AD

    The beginning of a new year has always been cause for celebration, introspection, and superstition, but as we saw in 1999 when Y2K was a thing, it's also a time for fear, uncertainty, and doubt. It wasn't so different 1,000 years ago. Here's what it was really like on New Year's, 1000 AD.

    By Jeff Somers Read More
  • Stonehenge, Michigan

    The Truth About The Stonehenge Replica In Lake Michigan

    ZME Science reported in 2017 that they used sonar technology to uncover sunken boats, cars, a Civil War-era pier and structures that looked like boulders arranged similarly to those found in England's Stonehenge -- where about 100 stones stand in a circle.

    By Sandra Mardenfeld Read More
  • Chinese scrolls

    Sun Tzu May Never Have Existed. Here's Why.

    If there was ever a book for both military leaders and businessmen alike, it's The Art of War by the Chinese philosopher and strategist Sun Tzu. His writings detailed the Chinese army's military strategies, including information on weapons and the importance of intelligence tactics.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Man looking out over future city

    The Strange Prediction Made About 21st Century Men

    Science fiction has been successfully and very unsuccessfully predicting the future since its conception. Futurism was once a wacky, fun thing to talk about. Will we have jetpacks and be kicking it with aliens while we travel the universe? Now, of course, the predictions are much darker. Or weirder.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Carved relief of Vestal Virgins, Art Institute of Chicago

    What It Was Really Like To Be A Vestal Virgin

    Vestal Virgins in ancient Rome were typically upper-class women selected to serve the goddess of the hearth, Vesta. What it was really like to be a Vestal Virgin included keeping the sacred flame at the Temple of Vesta going, performing rituals, and taking a vow of chastity for 30 years.

    By Sarah Crocker Read More
  • The NYSE trading floor

    What It's Like To Work On The Floor Of The Stock Market

    When you open the news and find out the stock market crashed, you often see photos of despondent stockbrokers on the floor of the stock exchange. The trading floor is one of the most iconic areas of finance, and not everyone understands what it's like to work there.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Lord Byron portrait

    The Crazy True Story Of Lord Byron

    Lord Byron was a Romantic poet, aristocrat, and British politician best known for the works of Don Juan and Childe Harold's Pilgrimage in the 19th century. The crazy true story of Lord Byron includes fame, fortune, and a wild string of affairs across Europe until his death at age 36 in Greece.

    By S. Flannagan Read More
  • Medieval knight

    What It Was Really Like To Be A Medieval Knight

    Thanks to Hollywood, modern people think being a medieval knight would be cool. But we are wrong, oh so very wrong. You may want to hold off on teleporting back through time to claim your title as Sir Whatever until after you've read about what it was really like to be a medieval knight.

    By Becki Robins Read More
  • Dead Sea sinkholes

    How Sinkholes Are Destroying The Dead Sea

    The Dead Sea -- at 413 meters (1,414 feet) below sea level, already the lowest point on the Earth's surface, according to CNN -- has been consistently sinking further into the ground over the last 50 years. Its water level fell six meters in each of the first two decades after 1976.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Fall traditional homemade apple and pumpkin pie for autumn holiday.

    The Long History Of Pie Explained

    Pies today come in every shape and size and have transformed in every culture they've come into contact with. This is the long history of pie explained.

    By Marina Manoukian Read More
  • Thomas Edison

    How Thomas Edison's Predictions About Steel Were Way Off

    Edison's predictions a century ago about air travel, mass production, electric trains, and smartphones (kinda) were more or less on the mark. His forecast about the role that steel would play in our lives, however, ended up a cold, lifeless heap in the slush pile of attempted augury.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Rainbow in Switzerland

    Here's Why Rainbows Really Form

    Few of us really understand why these beautiful arcs appear in the sky. Sure, it has something to do with sunlight and water droplets -- but what, exactly?

    By Daniel Leonard Read More
  • Paul Revere

    Why Paul Revere's Midnight Ride Didn't Actually Happen

    In reality, Revere didn't complete the whole ride, wrote Smithsonian Magazine. Nor was he the only rider. He was, however, a real person. According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, he was a silversmith and engraver, as well as an American revolutionary.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Irma Grese at Auschwitz, somewhere ages 20-22

    Irma Grese: The Truth About The 'Hyena Of Auschwitz'

    Sharp, loyal, savage, and obedient, Grese quickly rose in rank out of 170 female SS staff to become the warden of the women's camp, which had 30,000 women in 62 barracks. The barracks were the epitome of squalor and disease, and Grese compounded this suffering many times over.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Abraham Lincoln

    Inside Abraham Lincoln's Time In The Military

    At 6'4" he was effectively a giant for his times. He felled trees, split rails, and drove railroad spikes. He was also quite the wrestler. You wouldn't have wanted to fight this guy in close combat. But that doesn't mean he was the best soldier.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • soccer riot

    Inside Albert Ebosse's Mysterious Death

    Four months after the incident, The Guardian reported further that an independent pathologist contracted by Ebossé's family to investigate the death concluded that it was impossible for him to have been killed by an object thrown from the stands.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Desert

    Here's Why Iram Of The Pillars Might Actually Have Existed

    Stories of unbelievable hubs of science, like Atlantis. Stories of places filled with sin, like Sodom and Gomorrah. On occasion, they turn out to be very real places. Such might be the case of Iram of the Pillars, a place much like Sodom and Gomorrah, that stems from a sister legend in the Quran.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • sky

    The Highest Falls That People Have Survived

    Falling from any great height is terrifying. The feeling of plummeting toward earth in free-fall, sure, some people love it, but not others. So, what's the farthest someone's fallen, without the safety of a parachute, and lived to tell about? These are the highest falls that people have survived.

    By DB Kelly Read More
  • Titanic

    There's Proof That An Iceberg May Not Have Sunk The Titanic

    The sinking of the Titanic on 15 April 1912 is remembered more than a century later as one of the biggest disasters in history: the hubris of the vessel nick-named "The Unsinkable" burst by a collision with an iceberg, and the deaths of 1,496 people on board. But there's more to the story.

    By S. Flannagan Read More
  • Thomas Edison

    The Shady Side Of Thomas Edison

    Thomas Edison is one of the most famous inventors in history, after all, he created the lightbulb. But as brilliant Edison is, he was also a man after fame and glory.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • A portrait of corporal punishment in the classroom.

    The Myth Of The Whipping Boy Explained

    You're a Renaissance-era European child who happens to be friends with a prince. You get educated alongside the prince, and the two of you form a close bond. But when the prince disobeys the rules, your instructor proceeds to punish you — not the prince — by beating or even whipping.

    By Daniel Leonard Read More
  • A photograph of a guillotine surrounded by smoke.

    The Truth About Who Actually Created The Guillotine

    One of the most iconic execution methods in history would have to be the guillotine. The guillotine was famously used in France during the Revolutionary period, and continued to be used to execute criminals in that country until 1977. This is the truth about who actually created the guillotine.

    By Daniel Leonard Read More
  • Hand gripping a steel bar

    The Grim Story Behind The Attica Prison Uprising

    On September 9, 1971, inmates seized and took control of the maximum security Attica Correctional Facility near Buffalo, New York. They had demands and hostages, but within a few days, dozens of prisoners and hostages would be dead. This is the grim story behind the Attica prison uprising.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Hindenburg disaster

    The Rise And Fall Of The Hindenburg

    The era of zeppelins coming into their own as a luxurious and coveted form of air travel came to an end on May 6, 1937 when the Hindenburg burst into flames during its landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey. But the reasons it happened are pretty shocking. This is the rise and fall of the Hindenburg.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • A picture of the Black Knight Satellite from 1998

    Inside The First Sighting Of The Black Knight Satellite

    it wasn't until 1923 that he would come forward to claim, in an interview with the Albany Telegram, "I have a deep conviction that highly intelligent beings exist on Mars." He recounted his story of developing a "wireless receiver of extraordinary sensitiveness."

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Xiaozhai tiankeng in Guangxi, China

    The Surprising Truth About The World's Deepest Sinkhole

    Some sinkholes, such as those in Guatemala City, caved in after a week of strange sounds and left the landscape pockmarked with holes. One sinkhole, however, is so huge and stunning that it looks like a portal into another world, hewn into a mountainside.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Mary Mallon

    The Untold Story Of Typhoid Mary

    It's a story where one person's individual actions endangered thousands of lives and how personal freedom fought against the public's health. Typhoid Mary is the subject of many ethical debates and is the original case study for the asymptomatic spread of disease.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Al Capone

    The Truth About Al Capone's Brother James

    Born Vincenzo Capone, Al's oldest brother took on the American name James after the family immigrated to New York and settled in Brooklyn. The Capone brother who took the side of law and order would go on to garner fame for his own daring exploits.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Czar Nicholas II

    Inside The Final Days Of Russia's Last Czar

    Emperor Alexander III, Nicholas's father, had died at age 49 of kidney disease, says Biography, but apparently had not taken the time (or made the effort) to teach his son a thing or two about governance. Or, at least, how not to upset your entire country to the point of rebellion.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Helen Keller feels the face of a member of British parliament.

    What You Don't Know About Helen Keller's Famous Friendships

    To better understand Helen Keller's fascinating story, it can be helpful to look at the people she chose to befriend. From inventors to authors to actors, Keller was buddies with many unique individuals over her 87-year lifespan. Here's what you don't know about Helen Keller's famous friendships.

    By Daniel Leonard Read More
  • Ship in Aralkum Desert.

    How Gigantic Ships Ended Up In The Middle Of The Uzbekistan Desert

    Wanderers in the Aralkum Desert, a stretch of sand between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, may find themselves stumbling upon a strange sight: the rusted corpses of boats strewn far away from any apparent sea. But why? Here's how gigantic ships ended up in the middle of the Uzbekistan desert.

    By Felix Behr Read More
  • shocked couple

    Upsetting Historical Facts You Wish You Hadn't Learned

    Some facts about history you just wish you never knew, like that people used to sit in dead whales to cure arthritis or that human fat was an old cure for gout. These upsetting historical facts will make you question everything you knew about Bull Run, Peru, and Ivy League schools.

    By DB Kelly Read More
  • Small freshwater fish on white background

    Why It Rains Fish In One Landlocked Honduras City

    at least once per spring or summer (and sometimes more), after "a torrential downpour, thunder and lightning, conditions so intense that nobody dares to go outside," the land-locked city is treated to "hundreds of small, silver-colored fish" all over the ground.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Doctor Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch

    The Truth About The Strange Disappearances On The Galapagos Islands

    The island's peace and quiet wouldn't last long. Shortly after the Wittmers arrived, a flamboyant European, Eloise Wehrborn de Wagner-Bosquet, arrived on the island, calling herself the Baroness. She brought along her two lovers, Robert Philippson and Rudolf Lorenz, and a worker, Manuel Valdivieso.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • A cave in Thailand

    The Truth About How Caves Form

    For so long, humans have taken shelter inside them or stepped cautiously, afraid of what they may see. Caves hold many secrets humanity has yet to explore. But mountains or rock formations don't just have caves in them from the start.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • the Migrant Mother

    What Happened To The Migrant Mother From The Great Depression?

    A photograph that's graced every American history book, the Migrant Mother features an exhausted, dirt-tussled woman, looking into the distance as her children huddle close. The photo did nothing to help the woman herself. Here's what happened to the Migrant Mother from the Great Depression.

    By Jenna Inouye Read More
  • Cleopatra's Needle in London

    The Story Behind Cleopatra's Needle

    Cleopatra's Needle is not real needle, but an obelisk -- a series of three obelisks, in fact -- that stands in New York's Central Park, in London, and in Paris. Each of these came from Egypt, but none were actually built for the famous Egyptian pharaoh. This is the story behind Cleopatra's Needle.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Ocean Beach San Francisco

    Why There Were Once Tombstones On A California Beach

    In May 2012, two friends were out for a stroll along San Francisco's Ocean Beach when they stumbled upon possibly one of the most out-of-place discoveries that could be made on a California beach: a tombstone from the year 1876. Here's why there were once tombstones on a California beach.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • dropa stone

    The Legend Of The Dropa Stones

    The excavation of what appeared to be the bodies of little alien men was just the beginning of Tei's discoveries. Further into the caves, Tei made his most famous find: a series of 716 circular stone disks with tiny hieroglyphic markings etched on them, some partially buried under the cave floor.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • A photograph of Albert Einstein as an adult.

    Did Albert Einstein Really Fail Math?

    The story asserts that Albert Einstein, brilliant as he was, actually failed math as a child. And if someone as intelligent as Einstein could fail at math, then there's no reason that you should let your own minor failures stop you from pursuing your goals, right?

    By Daniel Leonard Read More
  • Great Pyramid and Sphinx, Giza

    What You Didn't Know About The Great Pyramid

    The Great Pyramid of Giza remains a favorite. The only remaining location from the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it's been around since about 2560 BCE, and for thousands of years was thought to have three chambers: the Queen's Chamber, the Grand Gallery, and the King's Chamber.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Ancient Phoenician statues from Byblos

    The Strange Story Behind These Phoenician Figurines

    As the Jerusalem Post describes, what began as a foray into a rat-filled storage room in the museum led to the discovery of boxes that hadn't been opened since the 1970s. They were full of newspaper and plastic bags, and wrapped within them: over 300 ancient Phoenician figurines.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Map of Easter Europe with troops placed upon it

    The Attack Of The Dead Men

    For the third time, the German army tried to take Osoweic Fortress, a Russian stronghold near the border. After 10 days, the wind had turned, blowing from the German position over the Russian defenses, making the situation perfect for one of the deadliest innovations of the war: chlorine gas.

    By Felix Behr Read More
  • Al Capone

    What Al Capone's Final Days Looked Like

    Capone was estimated to have been responsible for the deaths of at least 33 people, according to a contemporary report in the Chicago Herald Tribune. What sort of death does such a figure as Al Capone deserve? Whatever you think, the story of his final days is a deeply unfortunate one.

    By S. Flannagan Read More
  • Bonus Army

    What You Need To Know About The Bonus Army

    The Bonus Army was a protest held by as many as 25,000 veterans of World War I and their families who descended upon Washington, D.C. in 1932 to demand the bonus checks they'd been promised in order to help them get through the economic turmoil of the Great Depression.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Caral, where the Norte Chico lived

    This Might Have Been The First American Civilization

    The Americas -- the entire region, not just the United States -- was home to several different pre-Christian civilizations. People have heard about the Incas and the Mayans, but there might even be an entire civilization that came before them. Meet the Norte Chico peoples.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • 1845: The ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, used in Sir John Franklin's ill-fated attempt to discover the Northwest passage. Original Publication: Illustrated London News pub 24th May 1845 (Photo by Illustrated London News/Getty Images)

    What Really Happened To The Franklin Expedition

    The "best-equipped and most technologically advanced Arctic expedition to that date" set sail on May 19 with a crew of 134 men and enough provisions to last three years. Despite the planning and care that went into preparing for the journey, the boats disappeared just two months later.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Dendera light carvings

    The True Meaning Of The Dendera Light

    The Dendera light is a motif carved into the walls of the Hathor Temple in Dendera, Egypt. The image, depicted across three stone reliefs inside the temple, shows a unique depiction of what, at first, looks to be a light bulb shaped like a Crookes tube, with a cord snaking through the middle.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • The Moon

    Why The Moon Is Drifting Away

    The Moon is not actually quite as attached to us as you'd think. In fact, it's ever so slowly inching away from Earth, like a guest at an awful party tactically maneuvering toward the exit.

    By Pauli Poisuo Read More
  • Forbidden City

    The Cabbage Farmer Who Became Emperor Of China

    Zhu took on the name Hongwu and claimed he had the divine right to rule, becoming an absolute monarch. Wary of losing his throne to violence -- after all, he took it by violence -- he stamped down rebellions and even established secret police.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • The Duel Monument Of Ganryu Island

    The Japanese Swordsman Who Turned Into An Artist

    This legendary swordsman, like all samurai, began his training when he was a wee one, and he wasn't much bigger when he attained his first victory. As The Karate Lifestyle relates, Musashi fought his first sword duel at the age of 13, defeating a fully trained, adult samurai in single combat.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Lots o' clocks

    The Truth About The Invention Of Time Zones

    Think of a sundial, which catches the light and deploys a shadow to tell the viewer what time it was. In practical terms, this meant each village operated under its own solar time, because their relative position to the sun was unique, which in turn produces an individualized time.

    By Felix Behr Read More
  • hierarchy of people

    What You Need To Know About The Milgram Experiment

    Milgram believed his experiment proved that ordinary people, when directed by an authority figure, would behave in ways that ran counter to their own moral or ethical beliefs. In October 1963, he published his findings in the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • 1967 Detroit race riot

    The U.S. Race Riots History Forgot

    The United States has had a long, sad history of racial violence, and shockingly, few of these incidents are widely remembered. There are the U.S. race riots history forgot.

    By DB Kelly Read More
  • Mark Twain

    What You Don't Know About Mark Twain's Famous Friendships

    Writer and humorist Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name, Mark Twain, was called "the Dean of American literature" and "the greatest American humorist of his age" and his books are still widely read today. Here's a look at some of his famous friendships.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Albert Einstein

    Why Albert Einstein Turned Down The Presidency Of Israel

    A country once wanted to make him its president, simply for being Albert Einstein. The country in question was the newly-founded Israel, and when their first president, Chaim Weizman, died in 1952, the country promptly reached out to the Jewish Einstein and offered him the presidency.

    By Pauli Poisuo Read More
  • Rock of Gibraltar

    The Secret Hiding Inside The Rock Of Gibraltar

    This politically important island hides more than you can imagine. Inside the Rock of Gibraltar lies a maze of tunnels. Tunnels that became of great importance for the British during World War II and marked the Rock, as it's sometimes called, as a staging area for troops.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Etan Patz

    The Real Reason They Stopped Putting Missing Kids On Milk Cartons

    Patz's widely publicized disappearance made media headlines and grabbed the nation's attention. Concerned parents began pushing for a nationwide system to track missing kids, eventually forming the Missing Children Milk Carton Program in 1984. The program was soon adopted nationwide.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More
  • A Peul woman from Mali balancing a calabas on her head

    What Life Was Like For Women In Ancient Mali

    Regarding the role of women in ancient Mali, there is, unfortunately, very little firsthand information. Much can be inferred, and insight comes from Ibn Battuta, who, according to Britannica, was a traveler and author of the medieval Muslim world who traveled 120,000 kilometers during his life.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Taos Pueblo

    This Is The Oldest Building In The US

    According to Oldest.org, Taos Pueblo is the oldest still-standing structure in the United States, with an estimated build date of sometime within 1000 CE and 1450 CE. The Pueblo is made up of a series of homes and ceremonial buildings built from adobe, a material composed of earth, water, and straw.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Golden mask on display at the Museo del Oro, Bogotá, Colombia.

    The Legend Of The Mythical City Of Gold Explained

    The legend of a mythical city of gold originated when 16th-century conquistadors first encountered Central and South America. Inspired by the gold-centered rituals of the Colombian Muisca people, Francisco Pizarro, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Lope de Aguirre all searched for El Dorado, the city of gold.

    By Sarah Crocker Read More
  • A close-up shot of Che Guevera

    What You Didn't Know About Che Guevara

    Guerrilla leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara has a remarkable legacy: many people look at his face and can remember who he was or simply celebrate his life with memorabilia or T-shirts that feature him. However, there are dark secrets about him that aren't as well-known or spoken about.

    By Boshika Gupta Read More
  • Antony and Cleopatra

    Marriages That Changed The Course Of History

    Marriages sometimes change more than lives. They change history. They might have started out as love affairs, political alliances, or arrangements, but they all had a major impact on the world. Here are some marriages that changed the course of history.

    By Jeff Somers Read More
  • whirling dervishes

    The Truth About The Whirling Dervishes

    The practice of spinning to reach Sufism was begun by the followers of the 13th-century poet and Sufi mystic Rumi, also known as Mevlana. Rumi met a traveling dervish, or holy man, named Shams al-Din in 1244 and believed him to be divine. Rumi began to devote more time to al-Din than his studies.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Charles Darwin had a beard

    The Real Reason So Many Victorian Men Had Beards

    Thick beards, doctors believed, trap impurities from the air before they entered the body, much as nose hair does. Some doctors told their patients, especially those who often engaged in public speaking, like politicians, to grow full beards to prevent sore throats.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Porta Alchemica in modern-day Rome

    The Magical Door You've Never Heard Of In Rome

    Porta Alchemica is an actual door in modern-day Rome, in a park next to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, practically smack dab in the center of the city. When we add the odd occult superstition into the mix, the reality of Porta Alchemica does indeed start to sound like something stranger than fiction.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • The "Armada Portrait" of Queen Elizabeth I

    The True Story Of The Spanish Armada

    The Spanish Armada is often the story of the underdog English, saved from certain destruction by guts and gusty providence. The true story of the Spanish Armada, as with any event from centuries past where thousands of people die, is far more complicated than you may think.

    By Thomas A Brown Read More
  • Treasure box

    The Ongoing Treasure Hunt That's Killed 4 People

    Everyone probably wouldn't mind finding buried treasure, but not everyone would necessarily risk their lives to find it. One particular treasure known as Fenn's Gold was found in June, but not without people dying in their quest to retrieve it.

    By Allison Matyus Read More
  • UFOs in the night sky

    This Is What Happened After A Fighter Pilot Chased After A UFO

    The orb accelerated faster and moved more sharply than any craft Gorman had ever seen in the air. At two points during the chase, the object and Gorman played a game of chicken, with Gorman pulling away at the last second during the first encounter and the orb doing the same during the second.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Cleopatra's signature eye

    What You Didn't Know About Cleopatra's Famous Eye Makeup

    The eyeshadow protected the eye from the midday sun glinting off the Nile river, and the liner was to keep harmful bacteria and sand away. Before the invention of makeup, it was common for Egyptians to contract infections when dirt got in their eyes.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Latin writing on stone

    Ancient Roman Curses You Should Know About

    If you don't believe in curses, maybe you should think twice. Most spiritual traditions around the world believed in curses, and the ancient Romans seemed to have had one for every occasion.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • greek statue

    Stories From Greek Mythology They Couldn't Teach You In School

    When we learn about Greek mythology in school, we hear a lot about the heroes. But it turns out that there's a lot of little details — and entire stories — that are super dark, and slip through the cracks of higher learning. Here are stories from Greek mythology they couldn't teach you in school.

    By DB Kelly Read More
  • leaning tower of pisa

    These Facts About The Leaning Tower Of Pisa Will Surprise You

    Construction began in 1173, and by 1178 it was obvious that the tower was not going to remain upright. The subsequent stories were built to compensate for the lean -- slightly taller on the leaning side of the tower to balance it out and try and keep the floors level -- but to no avail.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • The Last Judgement by Jan Van Eyck, created between 1400 and 1425

    The Crazy True Story Of Bedlam: The Bethlem Royal Hospital

    It may have started in a truly Christian way, as a haven for the downtrodden with nowhere to go, as described by the BBC, but it evolved into a medieval "healthcare facility," and eventually became one of the first institutions to focus on cordoning off the "mad" and "lunatic."

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Henry Morton Stanley poses for a portrait

    The Crazy Adventures Of Henry Morton Stanley

    Henry Morton Stanley, most famous for rescuing Dr. David Livingstone in present-day Tanzania in 1871, was a sailor, journalist, and colonial administrator who explored central Africa. Henry Morton Stanley also searched for the source of the Nile river and aided the Belgian occupation of the Congo.

    By Kate Sullivan Read More

Messed-Up History (11)

  • mosquito

    The Messed Up History Of West Nile Virus

    AM NY recently reported that West Nile virus claimed the life of one New Yorker, and five others were diagnosed with the disease. Cases were also confirmed in Massachusetts, California, and Ontario, Canada, in September 2020, and authorities in Texas identified the virus in mosquito pools.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Coronavirus outbreak infecting respiratory system.

    The Messed Up History Of MERS

    MERS, also known as MERS-CoV, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, is a virus transferred to humans from infected animals -- in this case, dromedary camels, the ones with one hump. MedicalNewsToday reports that MERS-CoV was first discovered in Saudi Arabia September 20, 2012.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Mosquito

    The Messed Up History Of Dengue Fever

    The CDC said there are four different kinds of dengue viruses, and so some people may get the disease up to four times in their lifetime if they're unlucky. While generally considered a mild condition, people do die from dengue. About 400 million are infected with dengue every year.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Hart Island seen from City Island, New York City

    The Messed Up History Of New York's Hart Island

    Hart Island has been host prisoners of war, quarantined city dwellers, convicts, the mentally ill, and more. And, almost always, it has been set aside for the burial of New York City's indigent and unclaimed dead. This is the messed up history of New York's Hart Island.

    By Sarah Crocker Read More
  • Scientists studying test tubes

    The Messed Up History Of Ebola

    Ebola is a pretty nasty disease. The virus can cause symptoms that you'd expect to see in a horror film. The more mild symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, and intense vomiting and diarrhea. The more extreme cases include kidney and liver impairment.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Mosquito in red "no" symbol

    The Messed Up History Of Malaria

    The CDC cites statistics from the World Health Organization: "in 2018, 228 million clinical cases of malaria occurred, and 405,000 people died of malaria, most of them children in Africa" with underdeveloped immune systems. It is fatal if not treated.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Ohio National Guardsmen and students at Kent State in 1970

    The Messed Up History Of The Kent State Massacre

    The Kent State massacre was the killing of four and wounding of nine students at Kent State in Ohio on May 4, 1970 by National Guardsmen. Student protests had emerged on campus over conflict in Vietnam and Cambodia, and the Ohio National Guard shot unarmed students in the process.

    By Natasha Lavender Read More
  • The Village People

    The Messed Up History Of Disco

    Disco culture emerged from underground house parties which showcased the music of Black, LGBT, and Latino cultures in the early 1970s. The history of disco is full of tragedy, from Freddie Mercury's death, to the shuttering of Studio 54, and the riots of Disco Demolition Night.

    By Gina Scanlon Read More
  • the translation of enoch

    Messed Up Stories From The Book Of Enoch

    The Book of Enoch is part of the Bible in some Christian churches. But that doesn't mean it's not still full of weird stuff, like strange primordial beings, talking babies, stars with human downstairs parts, a corpse giving birth, and way more. Here are some messed up stories from the Book of Enoch.

    By Benito Cereno Read More

Murders (2)

Music (16)

Mysteries (6)

  • CEO of Reddit Alexis Ohanian attends WORLDZ Cultural Marketing Summit 2017 at Hollywood and Highland on July 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

    The Unsolved Mystery Of Lake City Quiet Pills

    How are two Reddit accounts, a controversial subreddit, Fark.com, the military, a mysterious death, a major assassination, and Lake City Quiet Pills all connected? That's a great question that internet detectives are trying to figure out. This is the unsolved mystery of Lake City Quiet Pills.

    By Felix Behr Read More
  • Serpent Mound

    The Mystery Of Ohio's Serpent Mound

    The Serpent Mound sits in Adams County, about 70 miles east of Cincinnati, and has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The mound may look strange, but it wasn't put there by aliens; it's believed that it was constructed by Native American settlers of Ohio.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Circleville, Ohio, map

    The Unsolved Mystery Of The Circleville Letter Writer

    The situation around the Circleville poison pen letters eventually turned from terrifying to deadly. What's even scarier, the Circleville letter writer may still be out there. The Circleville letter writer sent poison pen letters to multiple residents of the small town, accusing them of misdeeds.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • The signature reddish color and lines of a Klerksdorp Sphere

    The Mystery Of The Klerksdorp Spheres

    They're classified as pyrophyllites, a layered silicate formed by hydrothermal alteration (i.e., they dried out). Despite their names, they're not, in fact, spheres, but somewhat flat, oval, and some have three parallel lines across their length. The kicker? They're about 3 billion years old.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Etruscan painting

    The Mystery Of The Etruscans

    One of the most advanced civilizations outside of Greece is also one of the most mysterious. The Etruscans lived in Italy, in what is now Tuscany, but researchers are only now starting to piece their history together.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Metal mask

    The Unsolved Mystery Of The Lead Masks Case

    A young man was flying a kite on Vintém Hill when he made a truly chilling discovery: Two bodies lying on the ground in some tall weeds. These weren't just any old mortal remains, either. The dead men were both dressed in suits and waterproof coats, and they had strange lead masks over their eyes.

    By Pauli Poisuo Read More

Mythical Creatures (3)

  • Elizabeth I of England, the Armada Portrait, 1588

    The Truth About Queen Elizabeth I's Iconic Look

    Queen Elizabeth I had to think very carefully about how she presented herself. She had to appear powerful in order to uphold her royal status and push back against the stereotype of a weak woman, alone and unfit to rule. This is the truth about Queen Elizabeth I's iconic look.

    By Sarah Crocker Read More
  • Roald Dahl

    Roald Dahl's Unceremonious Last Words

    You'll remember him from the classic childhood adventures he told in books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, and others. But you might be surprised by the last words to come out of Roald Dahl's mouth before he died.

    By Cody Copeland Read More

Nature (2)

Paranormal (5)

Politics (2)

Presidents (5)

  • Andrew Johnson

    The Worst Vice Presidents In American History

    Certain U.S. vice presidents would have done better staying away from Pennsylvania Avenue. And some of them found themselves promoted to the highest office in the world and failing just as much as they did as vice presidents. These are the worst vice presidents in American history.

    By Daniel Johnson Read More
  • Painting depicting Parson Weems and his famous story of George Washington and the Cherry Tree

    The Truth About George Washington And The Cherry Tree

    The fable originated with "one of Washington's first biographers, an itinerant minister and bookseller named Mason Locke Weems." When Washington died in 1799, Weems immediately saw an opportunity to fulfill the American public's desire to learn more about the founding father.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • President Andrew Johnson

    The Truth About The First President To Be Impeached

    Andrew Johnson was Abraham Lincoln's vice-president and assumed the United States presidency after John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln on April 15, 1865. Less than three years later, Johnson was facing impeachment. Here's the truth about the first president to be impeached.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • FDR

    The Worst Thing FDR Ever Did As President

    Despite his legacy for legislating the New Deal that enabled America's prosperity post the Second World War, Franklin Delano Roosevelt also signed the order that allowed for the internment of Japanese Americans, as well as German and Italian Americans, during the war.

    By Felix Behr Read More

Religion (2)

  • trail

    The Truth About The Mormon Handcart Tragedy

    We're all taught the details of the Donner Party,: the California-bound pioneers who ended up eating each other along the way. But few are aware of an even bigger tragedy, the Mormon Handcart Tragedy, in the westward migration of the devotees of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

    By Cody Copeland Read More

Royals (11)

  • King Arthur statue

    Why King Arthur Might Not Have Been Real

    For many people, King Arthur is more than just a character in an epic poem, they believe he must be a real historical figure. After all, the Arthurian legend has been told over several generations.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • The Zombies

    Why The Zombies Stopped Making Music

    When bands break up, it's usually because the members got into a fight or there were creative differences between the group and their management. But there are those few instances when bands fragment because they thought they weren't successful. The Zombies believed that when they broke up in 1967.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Queen Nefertiti

    The Mysterious Truth About Queen Nefertiti

    One of the more fascinating things about Nefertiti is the mystery of what happened to her. According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia, Nefertiti disappeared from historical records despite her years as one of Egypt's most important women.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Sarcophagus of King Tut

    The Elaborate Heists Of King Tut's Tomb

    When Carter found Tut's tomb, he knew from the start that he wasn't the only one to have discovered it. There was evidence that the tomb had been entered at least twice already by grave robbers and raiders in search of the treasure that was usually buried with people as important as pharaohs.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • A portrait of the ancient King Midas.

    Why King Midas Might Have Existed After All

    Midas was almost definitely a real king, living in the region we now call Turkey around 2,700 years ago. As you can probably guess, although there's no evidence that Midas could actually turn objects into gold, there are some theories as to how that myth emerged.

    By Daniel Leonard Read More
  • KARNAK TEMPLE

    The Few Details We Know About The Mysterious Kingdom Of Yam

    You've surely heard of the Great Pyramids or the Sphinx, but there are more obscure legends about that give us enough history to keep us searching while questions continually go unanswered. The Kingdom of Yam is one such place. These are the few details we know about the mysterious Kingdom of Yam.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • King Haakon VII of Norway

    The True Story Of The Norwegian King Who Stood Up To Hitler

    King Haakon told his cabinet that, if they disagreed with his decision, he would not stand in their way. If they gave in to the Germans, however, he would have no choice but to abdicate the throne, according to the Royal House of Norway. The government unanimously took his side.

    By Aimee Lamoureux Read More

Scandals (9)

  • Daniel Tosh from Comedy Central's Tosh.0 and Rob Dyrdek

    The Truth About Daniel Tosh And Rob Dyrdek's Feud

    Tosh might think that Dyrdek ripped off his show idea when creating Ridiculousness, but Dyrdek says his show was around on paper before Tosh.0 came out. In an interview with Larry King, posted on YouTube, Dyrdek outright says he didn't copy Tosh.0 but he did copy America's Funniest Home Videos

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Dave Grohl / Courtney Love

    Dave Grohl And Courtney Love's Feud, Explained

    Before the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, there were few people in this world closer to him than bandmate Dave Grohl and Cobain's wife, Courtney Love. Who knows how close Grohl and Love were to each other before Cobain's passing? But after Cobain's death, things got pretty heated.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Golden Girls TV sitcom Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan

    The Truth About The Golden Girls Feud

    Michael Musto wrote in a 2017 Village Voice article that White admitted that Arthur "was not fond of me." it was White's positive attitude that caused Arthur to become angry at her. "Sometimes if I was happy, she'd be furious," White said about her costar, a woman she often found reserved.

    By Sandra Mardenfeld Read More
  • James "Jimmy" Stewart

    The Dark Side Of Jimmy Stewart

    Byrne brought the alleged yeti finger into India, where he met with Stewart and his wife, Gloria. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any information about the conversation that preceded the eventual agreement that the Stewarts would "smuggle the finger into the United Kingdom for research."

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • John Wayne

    The Dark Side Of John Wayne

    John Wayne's dark side stayed fairly hidden from the general public for a long time until a Playboy interview from 1971 resurfaced in 2019. In the interview, Wayne lays out a side of him that many didn't know existed. A dark side that's as deeply rooted in American culture as apple pie.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Steve Jobs

    The Dark Side Of Steve Jobs

    Steve Jobs has been lionized for the effects that Apple's technologies have had on modern life, but his sleek image as some kind of tech guru star child ushering the world into a new era conceals a rather shady past.

    By Cody Copeland Read More

Science (15)

  • Sleepy kitties

    The Real Reason Your Cat Sleeps So Much

    Cats also tend to sleep all day, luxuriating in the knowledge that someone will be around to care for them anyway. Or so it seems. In truth, your cats aren't being lazy or acting like they own your house. Their sleeping patterns are a holdover from their previous life as hunters.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Kid painting a rainbow

    How Many Colors Are Really In A Rainbow?

    ROYGBIV, of course, stands for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet or the seven colors of a rainbow. It's the easiest way to remember colors, and it's also the least annoying way. But ROYGBIV may be incorrect. (Be careful when breaking this news to a little kid).

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Fire ants floating in water

    The Scary Truth About Floating Ant Piles

    From afar, the clump looks like debris floating on top of the water, but upon closer inspection, you can see that it's made up of what looks like hundreds of insects clinging for dear life. If the visual of ants happily floating along doesn't scare you, congratulations. What a brave person you are.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Woman sleeping on plane

    The Disgusting Truth About Airplane Pillows And Blankets

    The World Health Organization doesn't think it's likely for you to catch something from somebody clear on the other side of the plane, but those immediately near you could easily cough into your airspace. The CDC says crowded flights, security lines, and terminals are breeding grounds for COVID-19.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Orcas near boat

    Orcas Have Started Ramming Boats, And Scientists Are Worried

    Sometimes, animals display behaviors that are weirdly human. Most often, this can be a fluke, such as when a photographer manages to capture animals in an unusual pose, with hilarious results. But what happens when a species displays new behaviors time and time again that aren't necessarily cute?

    By S. Flannagan Read More
  • Paedocypris progenetica

    This Is The Smallest Fish In The World

    The fish is native to Southeast Asian peat swamp forests and is found in the waters of the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Bintan Island. A mature female Paedocypris progenetica measures only 7.9 millimeters, or just over 0.3 of an inch.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Aardwolf

    Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The Aardwolf

    "Aardwolf" means "Earth wolf," says Britannica. The name might come from the creature's yellowish-tan fur that kind of resembles the dry dirt of its homelands -- that being east and south Africa -- but it's more likely from the animal making its den in previously abandoned burrows.

    By Eric Meisfjord Read More
  • Full moon

    Science Has Proven This Old Belief About Full Moons

    According to LiveScience, there have been many studies trying to link how the moon affects people, particularly in regard to sleep patterns. One of the prevailing theories being studied by scientists is that the full moon's light may disrupt sleep cycles.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Male bee hummingbird sitting on a wire

    This Is The Smallest Bird In The World

    Bee hummingbirds are exclusively found in Cuba and are so tiny that they are often mistaken for insects. Male bee hummingbirds measure an average of 57 millimeters (2.24 inches) in length and weigh about 1.6 grams (0.056 ounces), which is less than a dime; female birds are a bit larger.

    By Karen Corday Read More

Serial Killers (1)

Space (1)

  • International Space Station

    What It's Really Like To Live On The Space Station

    Astronauts living onboard the International Space Station 250 miles above Earth experience life a bit differently. On the space station, the effects of microgravity mean astronauts are strapped in while they eat, exercise, and use the toilet. Living on the space station can affect height and aging.

    By Branden C. Potter Read More

Sports (25)

  • Randy Savage

    The Truth About Randy Savage's Rap Career

    His time as a rapper was quite short-lived -- only one album, 2003's Be A Man -- but that effort was packed with enough of his classic swagger to fill a lesser man's entire career. The title track addresses his rivalry with Hulk Hogan, "one of the most well-built matches in WWE history."

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Destiny's Child

    What Happened To LaTavia Roberson After Destiny's Child?

    Destiny's Child as most people know it, comprised of Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams, started off with different members. One of those former members is LaTavia Roberson. Roberson joined Destiny's Child in the '90s, when it was still called Girl's Tyme.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Randy Savage

    The Reason Randy Savage Didn't Want To Be In The WWE Hall Of Fame

    names were being entered into the Hall of Fame left and right, but not the "Macho Man." For years, there was speculation over why Savage had been kept out. Savage left the WWE and hopped over to the WCW in 1994, and many believe it was the drama surrounding the wrestler's exit that kept him out.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Hector Camacho

    The Tragic Death Of Boxer Hector Camacho

    Ultimately drugs put him in the violent situation that took his life. On November 20, 2012, the triple champion boxer was shot in the head outside of a bar in his hometown of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, in what appeared to have been a drug-related incident.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • General Abner Doubleday, the man wrongly believed to have invented baseball

    The Wacky Truth Behind The Creator Of Baseball

    The need for a purely American origin of baseball, which in American fashion, needs a singular American inventor, was due to a debate raging about where it was invented, if it was a British creation or American. So some men went looking. This is the wacky truth behind the creator of baseball.

    By Felix Behr Read More
  • In the wake of Caleb Moore's death during Winter X-Games 2013 Aspen, friends and family support Colten Moore during the snowmobile freestyle finals at Winter X-Games 2014 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on January 23, 2014 in Aspen, Colorado.

    The Truth About The First Fatality At The X Games

    Caleb Moore readied his snowmobile. He was about to begin his run at the 2013 Winter X Games Snowmobile Freestyle event, an event he had earned the Bronze medal for three years running. He didn't know it would be his last.

    By Felix Behr Read More
  • Donnie Yen

    How Many Black Belts Does Donnie Yen Really Have

    Yen started training in the martial arts as a child when, according to Men's Journal, he spent his time at one of three places: the weight rack, the boxing gym, or his mother's martial arts school. That's right: His mother was a Tai Chi and Wushu master, and Yen started his training with her.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Bruce Lee

    What Bruce Lee Was Like As A Kid, According To His Sister

    Lee touched people's hearts. He was a happy, lovable man who was seen smiling anytime he was doing an interview. This world-renowned martial artist made his name and excelled in his career through discipline -- a discipline that took time to develop.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • A generic shot of boxing gloves

    The Tragic Death Of Boxer Duk-Koo Kim

    In November 1982, South Korean boxer Duk-koo Kim entered the boxing ring to fight American boxer Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini in a highly awaited scuffle that received a lot of media attention. It would be the last fight of his life.

    By Boshika Gupta Read More
  • Andre the Giant

    How Andre The Giant Really Felt About His Size

    Andre had always been humongous. He didn't get that way by drinking his milk and eating his vegetables as a kid, either. He was predisposed to become enormous -- he had a condition known as acromegaly. A tumor rested on his pituitary gland, causing the gland to produce excess human growth hormone.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • A portrait of basketball player Dennis Rodman

    The Reason Dennis Rodman Briefly Lived On A Farm

    Rodman identified his friend's scars and healed them with his goofy and easy-going nature. Before he knew it, he was living with Rich and his family at their beautiful farm, where Rodman learned to drive tractors, tend to cows, and stay far away from his troubled past.

    By Boshika Gupta Read More
  • Bruce Lee

    The Reason Some Martial Artists Refused To Train Bruce Lee

    Lee's road to bona fide butt-kicker wasn't easy. Students in Honk Kong didn't like to work with Lee. Instructors wanted nothing to do with him. It's surprising he ever became as accomplished as he did. Their reasoning had to make it all the tougher on Lee.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Alistair Overeem

    What The MMA Has Proven About Heavier Fighters

    MMA allows fighters to train in whatever discipline they want and fight with a myriad of styles that keep viewers pawning their stereos to afford the pay-per-view specials. Two fighters, male or female, sweaty and rolling around or the ground while they beat each other's brains out.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Andre the Giant

    The Real Reason Andre The Giant Was So Big

    Andre the Giant, whose real name was André René Roussimoff, was literally larger than life, humongous in person as well as in the hearts of his fans. Probably everyone. At least everyone who saw The Princess Bride.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More

The Wild West (2)

Tragic Real-Life Stories (28)

  • Mary Wells, 1964

    The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Mary Wells

    When Wells was 16, she met an assistant to Berry Gordy Jr. of Motown Records, who brought her in to present a song she'd written for Jackie Wilson. Motown signed her and she recorded the song, "Bye Bye Baby," herself. She paired up with Smokey Robinson, and the result was a string of hits.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Carrie Fisher in 2015

    The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Carrie Fisher

    Actress and humorist Carrie Fisher had an incredibly unusual life story. As the daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher earned an iconic role in the original Star Wars trilogy. But behind Princess Leia was the tragic story of drug addiction, bipolar disorder, and sour marriages.

    By Natasha Lavender Read More
  • Curtis Mayfield

    The Tragic Life Of Curtis Mayfield

    According to the L.A. Times, Mayfield was performing a concert in Brooklyn when a freak accident occurred -- a lighting rig collapsed, striking Mayfield and fracturing three vertebrae in his neck. Mayfield was left permanently paralyzed from the neck down. He continued to compose and record.

    By S. Flannagan Read More
  • Groucho Marx

    The Tragic Death Of Groucho Marx

    As the most prominent of the Marx Brothers, Julius Henry Marx –- known to the world as "Groucho" –- became one of the best-known comedians of his age, known both for his dazzling visual comedy and his acerbic, quick-witted one-liners.

    By S. Flannagan Read More
  • A shot of drag racer Scott Kalitta from 1996

    The Tragic Death Of Drag Racer Scott Kalitta

    Scott had taken a break for three years before he got back to racing simply because he missed it so much. Scott was driving during the qualifying rounds for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) SuperNationals, moving at about 300 miles an hour when his Funny Car's engine exploded into flames.

    By Boshika Gupta Read More
  • A profile shot of a young George Michael

    The Tragic Childhood Of George Michael

    The singer didn't know what it's like to be taken care of as a kid and didn't experience love and affection at home. His parents were too caught up in trying to provide for him and his siblings. "I was never praised, never held," he said. "So it wasn't exactly the Little House On The Prairie."

    By Boshika Gupta Read More
  • Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

    The Tragic Death Of Dale Earnhardt, Sr

    According to initial reports by the Orlando Sentinel, he died of the brain injury, but those reports turned out to be incorrect. According to U.S. Motorsport, Dr. Barry Myers, a professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University, reviewed Earnhardt's autopsy images.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Jared Leto

    The Truth About Jared Leto's Tragic Childhood

    According to Leto, his father went out to get a carton of milk, only to metaphorically end up on a milk carton himself, back in the early 1970s when Leto was only a baby. The story gets a bit darker. Leto's dad remarried, and Leto never heard from the guy again.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • A close-up shot of racing driver Ayrton Senna

    The Tragic Death Of Formula One Racer Ayrton Senna

    According to the Formula One website, Senna was aware of his limitations and didn't take his mortality for granted. He viewed racing as a way to learn more about himself. "For me, this research is fascinating," he said. "Every time I push, I find something more, again and again."

    By Boshika Gupta Read More
  • cooper

    The Tragic Death Of Tommy Cooper

    Known for his big red fez, the bumbling prop comedian Tommy Cooper elicited belly laughs from countless fans throughout his 37-year career. But while the 6'5" actor brought joy to audiences, the on-screen death of the 69-year-old proved to be more shocking than any of his gags ever would be.

    By Nicole Rosenthal Read More
  • A Guns N' Roses banner held up by a fan at a concert

    The Tragic Death Of Guns N' Roses' Original Bassist

    Beich was drawn to the band's potential. He'd already proved his mettle with Mercyful Fate and other bands. As the the sound and style of Guns N' Roses evolved, however, the bassist found himself struggling to be happy. He didn't want to stick to hard rock.

    By Boshika Gupta Read More
  • Keith Moon

    The Tragic Death Of The Who's Keith Moon

    The fanfare and fantasies surrounding rock stars often produce rumors that aren't remotely true. But The Who's late drummer and Dionysian spirit animal, Keith Moon, might have been the rare exception where the man outdid the myth.

    By A. C. Grimes Read More
  • George Michael, 2011

    The Tragic Death Of George Michael

    When news came that George Michael had died at home at the age of 53, our collective sadness was highlighted by a cruel irony. As part of '80s power duo Wham! (with Andrew Ridgeley), Michael brought us one of the all-time beloved Christmas pop songs, "Last Christmas" -- and he died on Christmas Day.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Black Sabbath

    The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Black Sabbath

    Before Black Sabbath, metal was barely a thing. After Sabbath, metal was a lifestyle. But all those sinister lyrics and all that heavy riffing came from a dark place. This is the tragic real-life story of Black Sabbath.

    By Jesse Clark Read More
  • Patsy Cline

    The Tragic Death Of Patsy Cline

    Cline recorded her first album in 1955 and gained a huge following by the time the 1960s rolled around. Her songs started to appear on the radio. Her face was showing up on the television variety program Town and Country Jamboree. She was on her way to the top.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Roddy Piper

    The Tragic Death Of 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper

    "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was one of the biggest WWE personalities of the 1980s. Why? Because everyone loved to hate this hot-headed, fearless star. He battled the likes of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T in the ring, and had quite the prolific career on the other side of the ropes as well.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Axl Rose

    The Tragic Childhood Of Axl Rose

    And though Axl Rose's childhood isn't an excuse for any unpalatable behavior he may have exhibited, it certainly gives us a little insight into the trouble he's had in his past.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Roy Orbison

    The Tragic Life Of Roy Orbison

    In 1965, after more than a decade of struggling to become the musician he dreamed of being and joining the ranks of the budding rock 'n' roll royalty, Roy Orbison began to see his fame fade...

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Dennis Rodman

    The Tragic Childhood Of Dennis Rodman

    Rodman had hard times. If you were to spot him as a kid, you'd never know that he'd someday be shooting hoops for the NBA. His childhood goes far beyond everyday hardships, which makes his story of success all the more fantastic.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Pete Townshend, 1967

    The Tragic Childhood Of The Who's Pete Townshend

    All four members of The Who had significant moments of tragedy and tribulation throughout their lives, but guitarist and singer Pete Townshend's childhood had a series of particularly sad and disturbing moments.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • George Patton

    The Tragic Death Of General George S. Patton

    George Smith Patton Jr. -- a four-star general at the end of his career -- is arguably a prime example of the right man in the right place at the right time. Then again, maybe he just hit his head too often.

    By Eric Meisfjord Read More

Unsolved Mysteries (3)

Untold Truth (22)

  • Lisa Left-Eye Lopes

    The Untold Truth Of Lisa Lopes

    When TLC burst into the scene in the 1990s, people stood up and took notice. These were three women confident in themselves and singing about female empowerment. Most memorably, TLC incorporated rap breaks, courtesy of the firecracker Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes. It was Lopes who crafted the TLC image.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Malcolm Young

    The Untold Truth Of AC/DC's Malcolm Young

    The early days of AC/DC's drug and alcohol-fueled antics are long behind them, and much of this is down to the group's respect for the long-term health and addiction issues that plagued the late group founder, Malcolm Young.

    By S. Flannagan Read More
  • Hunter S. Thompson, 1990

    The Untold Truth Of Hunter S. Thompson

    Thompson found national attention in 1967 for his book Hell's Angels, an account of his time riding and living with the motorcycle gang. The book also launched his unique reporting style, "[taking] readers deep inside a subculture largely inaccessible to the outside world," said Rolling Stone.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Fannie Lou Hamer, 1964

    The Untold Truth Of Fannie Lou Hamer

    Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer started her life as the 20th child of Mississippi sharecroppers and ended it as a leader and a hero for civil and voting rights. She started picking cotton alongside her family at the age of six, and was forced to leave school when she was 12 in order to work full time.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Road Warrior Animal

    The Untold Truth Of WWE Hall Of Famer Road Warrior Animal

    The wrestling world took a big hit this week when Joseph Michael Laurinaitis -- better known as WWE Hall of Famer Road Warrior Animal -- passed away at the age of 60. According to TMZ, the second half of the legendary Road Warriors team, considered "one of the best of all," died of natural causes.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • Kid Rock performing in Arlington, TX, in 2019

    The Untold Truth Of Kid Rock

    Arising into creation as a synthesis of untrimmed wheat fields, trailer parks, and shattered Mich Ultra bottles, Kid Rock emerged into the nu-metal scene of the late '90s with his own, distinctive, Confederate take on the era's rock-rap surge.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Magic Bullet

    The Untold Truth Of Magic Bullet

    Marketed first through a series of late-night infomercials, pretty soon it seemed as though every house -- and office -- had a Magic Bullet. Its compact design allowed people to make a smoothie in their blender and then carry the whole tumbler with them to work.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Michael Jackson

    The Untold Truth Of Michael Jackson's Thriller Video

    Michael Jackson had a huge 1983. He sold millions of copies of his album Thriller and starred in one of the most popular, famous, and well-produced music videos of all time. This is the untold truth of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video.

    By Brian Boone Read More
  • Helen Keller

    The Untold Truth Of Helen Keller

    You've heard about Helen Keller and how she managed to become a successful writer and activist despite being deaf and blind. Her life was challenging, but she never truly cared that society believed she wouldn't do well.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Oxiclean Products

    The Untold Truth Of OxiClean

    Oh, man. When it comes to peddling products, Billy Mays is one of the hardest verbal hitting pitchmen on the market. Here's the truth of his marquis product, OxiClean.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Portrait of Anne Lister

    The Untold Truth Of Anne Lister: The 'First Modern Lesbian'

    Lister explored her sexuality in her coded diaries, "unabashed in their emphasis on pleasure rather than shame," reports GLBTQ. In 1821 she noted (per HistoricEngland), "I love, & only love, the fairer sex & thus beloved by them in turn, my heart revolts from any other love than theirs."

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Plas Newydd

    The Untold Truth Of The Ladies Of Llangollen

    Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby met in 1768 in Wicklow, Ireland, and lived together as a couple in Llangollen, Wales in a house known as Plas Newydd. Butler and Ponsonby appear to have considered their partnership a marriage. This is the untold truth of the Ladies of Llangollen.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • Stacks of gold bars

    The Untold Truth Of Nazi Gold

    Despite decades of research and investigation into the whereabouts of the Nazis' renowned trove of gold bars, speculation remains about their "true" fate, which would equal billions upon billions of dollars. Even to this day, would-be prospectors and treasure hunters continue to search.

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • Rob Zombie

    The Untold Truth Of Rob Zombie

    There's nobody else quite like Rob Zombie, known as much for his horror films as his career as a heavy metal musician. This is the untold truth of Rob Zombie.

    By Brian Boone Read More
  • Phineas Gage

    The Untold Truth Of Phineas Gage

    The metal rod entered below his left cheekbone, destroyed a molar, slid behind his left eye, through "the underbelly of his brain's left frontal lobe," and through his skull, exiting out of the top of his head.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • A close-up shot of Ringo Starr

    The Untold Truth Of Ringo Starr's Lookalike Granddaughter

    Tatia has not only been blessed with her famous grandfather's and dad's inclination (per Modern Drummer) towards music, she also looks remarkably like Grandpa. Her hair is dark like Ringo's and they share similar facial features, including a sharp chin and an oval-shaped face.

    By Boshika Gupta Read More
  • peter sutcliffe

    The Untold Truth Of The Yorkshire Ripper

    When it comes to notorious serial killers, there's probably none higher on the list than Jack the Ripper, but what about the Yorkshire Ripper? This is the the untold truth of the Yorkshire Ripper.

    By DB Kelly Read More
  • Burger Chef interior

    The Untold Truth Of The Burger Chef Murders

    It was just another Friday night at a Burger Chef restaurant in Speedway, Indiana in 1978. Until something happened, four employees disappeared, and the place was robbed. The case was a disaster from the beginning, and murders went free. This is the untold truth of the Burger Chef murders.

    By Asher Cantrell Read More
  • Mr. Potato Head

    The Untold Truth Of Mr. Potato Head

    One of the most memorable characters in Toy Story is Mr. Potato Head. He's funny, loyal, and often misplaces a body part. Of course, like many of the toys in the franchise, Mr. Potato Head is extremely familiar to children. After all, he's been around since the 1950s.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Christians

    The Untold Truth Of Bruderhof Communities

    The Bruderhof (German for "place of brothers") is a pacifist, socialist Christian movement that began in Germany in 1920. Its founder, Eberhard Arnold, was inspired by a cultural and educational campaign started in 1896 called the German Youth Movement.

    By Cody Copeland Read More
  • A coffin

    The Untold Truth Of Coffin Clubs

    Williams, told how she "gathered some old blokes who were ex-carpenters and builders, and a group of women that would get creative, and we started it up in my garage and carport." From there a small community of 50 to 60 people would show up on Wednesdays to construct and decorate coffins.

    By Felix Behr Read More

Wars (2)

  • Sylvester Stallone

    Why Sylvester Stallone Turned Down A Star Wars Role

    If the stars had aligned slightly differently, the muscle-bedecked action star would have portrayed one of most important roles in the franchise. But, in the end, he joined the ranks of other "almost" Star Wars stars, which in turn kept the franchise from becoming something akin to Judge Dredd.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Leonardo DiCaprio at the 92nd Academy Awards in 202

    Why Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Down A Star Wars Role

    Leonardo DiCaprio: owner of Hollywood's most increasingly wizened boy face, as well as non-hirsute dad bod role model for the rest of us. And, of course, he's also a world-renowned, award-winning actor who finally garnered his first Oscar in 2016 for being mauled by a bear.

    By Richard Milner Read More

Weird (8)

  • Gin Genie's extremely likeable character being introduced in X-Force #116

    Why Gin Genie Was One Of The Most Bizarre Comic Characters

    Enter Gin Genie, a short-lived "superhero" in X-Force, and later X-Statix (no, not Static-X), whose superpower is connected to debilitating alcoholism. Namely, the more she drinks, the stronger her seismic blasts become. So it's basically always in her best interests to be an ornery drunk

    By Richard Milner Read More
  • king tut's mask

    The Curse Of The Pharaohs Explained

    The curse of the pharaohs is a long-held belief that archaeologists and others who come into contact with Egyptian artifacts will be caused by the spirits of pharaohs. The curse of the pharaohs originated after the death of Lord Carnarvon, who helped open the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922.

    By Benito Cereno Read More
  • Formula 1 winners

    The Bizarre Truth About The First Formula 1 Race

    Originally, the plan was to start this new kind of race in the 1930s, but, ESPN reported, it had to be shelved at the onslaught of World War II. The idea was rekindled in 1946 to help buoy morale in Europe after the war. That year was the first racing season of Formula 1.

    By Emilia David Read More
  • Killer Instinct

    The Bizarre Way Your Character Could Die In Killer Instinct

    Two-player fighting video games were once the highlight of long weekend nights for any kid who craved friendly competition without all the bangs and bruises of fist fighting their friends. Hopefully, that includes everyone. Killer Instinct was a healthy alternative to friendly scuffles.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Prince and Vanity on cover of Rolling Stone, 1983

    The Bizarre Connection Between Prince And His Ex's Death

    When it comes to bizarre connections between celebrity deaths, there are few that are weirder and sadder than that of Prince on April 21, 2016 and his former love, collaborator, and muse, Denise "Vanity" Matthews, two months earlier. This is the bizarre connection between Prince and his ex's death.

    By Karen Corday Read More
  • The Great Blue Hole

    The Truth About The World's Deadliest Diving Spot

    The Blue Hole at the edge of the Red Sea, also known as the "underwater cathedral," is a sinkhole around 100 meters deep. It's also known as the deadliest diving spot in the world and, despite the warning, divers continue to enter its water. This is the truth about the world's deadliest diving spot.

    By Nick Vrchoticky Read More
  • Weird Al Yankovic, 2018

    Why Weird Al Yankovic Will Always Be Grateful To Michael Jackson

    Yankovic called his attempt to get permission to parody "Beat It" was "a shot in the dark. We're talking about the most popular and famous person in the known universe, and here I was, this goofy comedy songwriter." Jackson approved the parody and told him he thought the idea was funny.

    By Karen Corday Read More