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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The Odd Way Duels Are Part Of Becoming An Elected Official In Kentucky
Dueling is one of those things you may think stopped happening a long time ago. However, Kentucky still cites dueling in certain oaths, and here's why.
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What It Was Like To Go To A Vaudeville Performance
Vaudeville flourished as America's main form of popular entertainment from the 1890s to the early 1930s. Here's what it was like going to a performance.
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How Richard Nixon Became An Unwelcome April Fools' Day Joke
Some NPR listeners in 1992 were duped by an April Fools' Day joke that reportedly had listeners calling in to express their outrage. Here's the story.
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Chilling Details From The Attica Prison Riot
The Attica Prison Riot is the deadliest prison riot on history, with more than 40 people killed, including 10 hostages.
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Times Someone In History Claimed They Were The Best, But Weren't
Everyone exaggerates their accomplishments from time to time. Here are people who claimed they were the very best at something but were really just full of it.
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The History Of Mother's Day In The US Is Much Different Than You'd Imagine
Mother's Day, both in America and around the world, has become a holiday in every sense of the world -- a time of remembrance and appreciation.
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Here's Why A Medium Was Jailed Under The Witchcraft Act During WWII
Helen Duncan was the last witch in Great Britain to be imprisoned. This is the story of the medium who was jailed under the Witchcraft Act during WWII.
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The Biggest Unsolved Mysteries Of The 1990s
Let's have a look at some of the biggest cases of the '90s that remain unsolved even decades later. Who knows - maybe someone out there has the key.
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The Greatest Inventors Alive Today
It can sometimes seem like the glory days of invention are behind us, but people haven't stopped inventing things. These are the greatest inventors alive today.
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The Truth Of Mikhail Gorbachev's Nobel Peace Prize
Mikhail Gorbachev received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, though with praise also came criticism. This is the truth of Mikhail Gorbachev's Nobel Peace Prize.
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