The True Origins Of Uppercase And Lowercase Letters
The Latin alphabet is more or less unique among all of the world's written languages, with two exceptions: it doesn't have upper- and lower-case letters.
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The Surprising Place You Can Find Singapore's National Anthem
The people of Singapore take great pride in their national anthem, so much so that it's printed in a pretty surprising and unique place.
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The Tragic Real-Life History Of The Kansas City Chiefs
Not all stories about the Kansas City Chief are tied to their successes on the field. This is the tragic real-life history of the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Who Was The First Person To Immigrate Through Ellis Island?
Ellis Island is synonymous with the U.S.' tradition of immigration, but who was the first immigrant there? This was the first person to come to Ellis Island.
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What Were The Real Names Of Christopher Columbus' Ships?
The names of Christopher Columbus' three ships on his journey to the "New World" have become famous, but were those really their names? Here's the truth.
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The Hidden Meaning Behind The Ukrainian Instrument Highlighted At The Grammys
The bandura -- a string instrument -- is Ukraine's national instrument and is typically played when performing folk songs.
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World Leaders Who Took Power Via Coups
Many influential, powerful, and established civilizations have seen their government toppled suddenly by those who decided they could do a better job.
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Here's What The Best Historical Grammy Award Really Means
You know the main categories at the Grammy Awards each year, but what about the best historical Grammy award? Let's take a look at what it means.
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The History Of Australia's Rabbit Infestation
Invasive species are a major problem anywhere in the world and can throw off an ecosystem's balance. This happened in Australia thanks to a rabbit infestation.
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The Mystery Behind Two Newly Discovered See-Through Frogs
If you spend enough time exploring life on Planet Earth, you'll find star-nosed moles, glow-in-the-dark sharks, and of course, see-through frogs.
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The Surprising Way A Prewritten Obituary Might Have Inspired The Nobel Prize
These days, we talk about "fake news." There's also mistaken news -- no malice intended; someone got information mixed up, maybe about the Nobel brothers.
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How Clara Adams Became An Aviation Pioneer Without Ever Flying A Plane
Most people don't think twice about hopping on a commercial flight to get from here to there. In the industry's beginnings, however, there was more trepidation.
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The Fast Food Restaurant Discovered In Ancient Pompeii
The ancient Roman city of Pompeii was preserved by the fallout of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Archaeologists continue to unearth information.
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Who Really Invented The Microwave?
Microwave ovens are pretty much everywhere, from family kitchens to dorm rooms to convenience stores to restaurants. Its invention is credited to Percy Spencer.
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What Is The Easter Tradition Of The Burning Of Judas?
Holidays with their roots in religious belief can sometimes attract practices that don't have much to do with the original intent. Easter is no exception.
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Here's What Am And Pm Really Stand For
It seems that keeping up with time is all that we can do on a day-to-day basis. Luckily we have the terms a.m. and p.m. to help us, and here's what they mean.
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The Conspiracy Theory That Claims Mata Hari Might Have Been Innocent
The name Mata Hari probably evokes mythic visions of early-20th century glamour, intrigue, and seduction. But it's also possible the myth really is a myth.
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Why Was April 22 Chosen For Earth Day?
Some holidays float -- instead of one date every year, like Christmas, Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November. Why is Earth Day always on April 22?
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How Former Texas Governor John Connally Survived JFK's Assassination
On November 22, 1963, the names John F. Kennedy and John Connally became inextricably linked. Here's how the former Texas governor survived JFK's assassination.
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Who Is The Woman Who Founded The World's Oldest Operating Library?
Libraries are often treasure troves, though not just of various items of information. They often serve as a community's gathering place, its heart.
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Why Buddhist Monks Wear Orange
There are many ways of life that will suggest, if not insist upon, easily recognized apparel as a method of identification -- soldiers, law enforcement, monks.
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The Surprising Truth Behind How Seattle Got Rid Of Its Rat Infestation
There's a certain science when it comes to human beings coming together in a city -- supplying safe water, hazard-free boulevards, and pest control.
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The Origin Of The 7-Inch Record
The 7-inch record was an invention of the 1940s that didn't truly blossom until rock 'n' roll exploded almost a decade later. Here's its origin story.
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Who Invented Windshield Wipers?
You probably don't think too much about your windshield wipers, but they weren't always around. So who invented them? The answer is a bit complicated.
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How The Gilded Age Got Its Name
Gilding is a process that tries to apply a thin layer beauty onto something that's less attractive. During the Gilded Age, that was American society as a whole.
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How Pluto Got Its Name
Back in 2006, Pluto was downgraded to a "dwarf planet" by the International Astronomical Union. But how did it get its name? Let's find out.
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The Real Reason The US Celebrates Cinco De Mayo
The United States has sometimes been referred to as an amalgamation of the many and diverse cultural expressions of those who have made it their home.
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