Ruthless Dictators You Probably Haven't Heard Of
While these dictators might not have had the infamy or death count of some of the most notorious rulers, they have certainly left their cruel mark on the world.
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The Dark History Of The Woman Who Raised Kim Jong Un
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's mother had a colorful past before marrying his father. Here is the dark history of the woman who raised Kim Jong Un.
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Who Carved Lincoln's Statue In The Lincoln Memorial?
The Lincoln Memorial is one of the the most famous monuments in the U.S., but what's the story behind it. This is the story of who carved the Lincoln Memorial.
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Did Pirate Prisoners Really Have To Walk The Plank?
Pirates have been in the collective imagination for hundreds of years and many myths abound. But, some tales of the swashbucklers may be slightly dubious.
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Is Ben-Hur Based On A Real Person?
Ben-Hur is one of the most successful movies in Oscar history, winning 11 Academy Awards in 1960. But was the story of a vengeful charioteer based in truth?
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What Is The Judicial Handshake Of The Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court is rife with traditions, some that have been continued since the court's inception, but what is the judicial handshake of the Supreme Court?
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The Radical History Of Bloodletting Explained
One of Hippocrates' most famous medical theories, the four humors, inadvertently led to incalculable harm for centuries, leaving a blood bath in its wake.
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The Story Behind The Supreme Court Official Seal
The official Supreme Court seal features an American bald eagle, much like the seal of the United States. Here's the meaning behind the Supreme Court seal.
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This Is What Jesus Might Have Eaten At The Last Supper
The Last Supper is one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous paintings, depicting the final meal of Jesus Christ before his death. Here's what he may have eaten.
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Why Do The Supreme Court Justices Sit In The Order They Do?
The Supreme Court Justices always sit in the same order behind the bench and in photographs. This is the tradition that explains the seating order.
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The Most Gruesome Deaths Of Saints
In the Middle Ages, stories of the lives of saints could get downright bloodthirsty. Here are some examples of the most hideously violent saintly deaths.
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These Are The Longest-Tenured Supreme Court Justices
They are not elected; they're appointed, then must be approved. They are the men and women who serve as Justices of the United States Supreme Court.
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Why Was It Called The Dark Ages?
The Dark Ages: Everyone things they know what they were, when they were, what they were like. The truth, as with most history, is complicated.
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What Exactly Are Frankincense And Myrrh?
The celebration of Christmas is full of symbols, both secular and religious. Two items frequently mentioned are gifts from the magi: frankincense and myrrh.
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This President Hosted The Very First Easter Egg Roll
Holidays bring their unique qualities to the pages of the calendar. Included on the list for Easter is the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
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The Surprising Insult Behind The Word Dude
The word "dude" is truly a ubiquitous word in the English-speaking world. Yet, the origin story of this malleable little gem has its roots in three languages.
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The Origin Behind The Phrase Long Arm Of The Law
Many phrases abound when referring to the judicial system in general, including the long arm of the law. But the origins of this phrase have an unusual story.
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The Mystery Behind A Box Of Stolen Human Heads
Things get stolen all the time. It's unfortunate but it's true. Packages are frequent targets for thieves, but typically they're not full of human heads.
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What It's Like To Be Executed By A Firing Squad
Capital punishment remains a hotly contested issue across the United States. Included in that discussion is methodology -- how best to execute the convicted.
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How Did The Head Get The Nickname Noggin?
Lots of human body parts have nicknames. Some make perfect sense -- "paw" for "hand," for instance. But what about "noggin" standing in for "head"?
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How Madame Tussaud Narrowly Escaped The Guillotine
Madame Tussauds wax museums are a staple for tourists worldwide. Like the similar Ripley's Believe It or Not spots, there was a real woman behind the name.
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What It's Really Like Being A Doctor In A War Zone
Being a doctor in a conflict zone comes with a set of challenges that can be tough to overcome. Here's what it's really like being a doctor in a war zone.
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Here's What To Do If You Get Trapped In An Elevator
A well-maintained elevator will break down (and by "break down" we mean "stop working" and not "plunge to the floor") between five and 20 times per decade.
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Who Is Alina Kabaeva, Putin's Alleged Partner?
Vladimir Putin -- attorney, ex-KGB, president of Russia -- is famously secretive about his relationships, which may or may not include a romantic partner.
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This Is How Likely You Are To Die In An Elevator Accident
Statistics show that there is less than a 1% chance of dying in an elevator accident.
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Are You Using Titular And Eponymous Correctly?
The meaning of eponymous and titular are often conflated. But, when digging into their origins and how they've changed, nothing could be further from the truth.
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Odd Etiquette Rules The Royal Family Must Always Follow
The British royal family isn't a normal family. Rules abound, including those addressing their behavior. Here are some odd etiquette rules they have to follow.
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