The Strange History Of The US Conscience Fund
Most people would agree there's such a thing as right and wrong. Doing the wrong thing sometimes spurs an emotional reaction to make it right somehow.
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The Controversy Behind The Invention Of The Telephone
After the Bay of Pigs military disaster, President John Kennedy said, "Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan." That applies to inventions, too.
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The History Of Baptism In The Jordan River Explained
Baptism is a sacred Christian ritual, with the Jordan River at the center. From Jesus's baptism to millions of pilgrims today, here is the history explained.
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Why Lyndon Johnson's Air Force One Crew Installed A Fake Temperature Control
Lyndon Johnson's Air Force One crew installed a fake temperature control to fool the president into thinking it was real. Here's why they did that.
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The Tragic, Brutal Fate Of The Wife And Servants Of A Scythian King
Ancient cultures can be as fascinating as they were cruel, including the Scythians, whose women and servants endured tragic, brutal fates when their king died.
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The Wild Truth Behind The German U-Boat Sunk By A Toilet
Despite the best efforts of engineers, designers, and construction crews, things can go south on all kinds of vessels -- cars, spacecraft, even submarines.
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How Frank Sinatra Jr Got Kidnapped While Eating Chicken
Frank Sinatra Jr. was a singer like his father, but also the target of a kidnapping in 1963. Here's how Frank Sinatra Jr. was kidnapped while eating chicken.
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The Controversy Behind The Man Who Helped Pioneer Unleaded Gasoline
Unleaded gasoline is just a fact of life in 21st century America, but it wasn't always so. Lead once was part and parcel of daily life, and not just gas.
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Here's How Sitting Bull Got His Unique Name
Sitting Bull is rightly one of the mythic figures of 19th century American history. Beyond his involvement in military engagements is the story of his name.
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The Real Reason Airplane Windows Are Round
Airplane windows are famously round, in contrast to the shape of most other windows, but why? This is the real reason airplane windows are round.
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How To Stay Safe During A Volcanic Eruption
Volcanic eruptions can be incredibly scary for the people who live near them, but there are ways to stay safe. Here's how to stay safe during an eruption.
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The Victorian Era's Obsession With The Occult Explained
Is there something out there, something beyond what we experience on this plane of existence? If so, is there a way to make contact? Some Victorians thought so.
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The Deadliest Bear Attacks In History
Death by bear attack is a very rare way to go, but it's also terrifying. These are the deadliest bear attacks in history.
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The Real Reason The British Empire Collapsed
Once known as "The empire on which the sun never sets," from friends and foes to conflict and currency, here are the real reasons the British Empire collapsed.
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The Truth About The Infamous 19th Century Roman Who Carried Out 514 Executions
Giovanni Battista Buggati was the Papal States' official executioner for almost 70 years.
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The Real Reason Young British Princes Only Wear Shorts
Young British princes traditionally wear shorts, not pants. But why do they adopt this seemingly informal style? Here's the story behind the tradition.
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The Disturbing Truth Behind The British Pet Massacre Of 1939
World War II saw untold suffering, on and off the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific. Sadly, that extended beyond humans to thousands of pets.
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Did Alexander Hamilton Spell Pennsylvania Wrong In The Constitution?
"Pennsylvania" is spelled wrong in the Constitution, but did Alexander Hamilton actually make a mistake? Here's why Pennsylvania is spelled wrong.
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Here's What Happened To Andrew Carnegie's Money After He Died
As the United States expanded in the late 19th century, immense fortunes were made by industrialists like Andrew Carnegie. What happened to all that money?
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The True Origins Of The Term Honeymoon
Modern honeymoons are post-nuptial romantic escapes so the newlyweds can decompress and celebrate surviving their wedding. So where did the word come from?
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The Once Popular Paint Color With Deathly Origins
Mummies were once used widely for artistic purposes, and they inspired the creation of a paint color called mummy brown. Here's the story of the paint color.
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How Earth Day Led To The Establishment Of A Government Agency
In hindsight, history can look like a sequence of absolutely logical events, one after another. Few could have predicted the impact of one U.S. senator in 1970.
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California Park Ranger Just Retired And Broke This Startling Record
It's often an auspicious day when someone retires, especially if they represent some serious history. That's certainly true for Betty Reid Soskin.
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The Dark Meaning Behind The Phrase The Proof Is In The Pudding
"The proof is in the pudding" is a common phrase, but where does it actually come from. It turns out, it refers to a definition of "proof" not often used today.
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Who Invented The First Football Helmet?
There are numerous athletic competitions that involve risk to life and limb, football among them. Helmets help, but believe it or not, it wasn't always so.
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The Truth About The Time Buckingham Palace Was Bombed
During World War II's Battle of Britain, Nazi Germany attempted to destroy England through a campaign of air strikes, many against civilian populations.
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The Railroad 'Hobo Code' Explained
The railroad 'hobo code' was a form of communication that many experiencing homelessness in the early 20th century used. Here is the hobo code, explained.
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