Who Invented The Microphone?
Microphones are pretty much everywhere anymore. Mostly that's a good thing (unless we're talking about illegal surveillance). From whence did they arise?
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The History Of Walking Explained
A number of physical advantages distinguish human beings from much of the animal kingdom, including opposable thumbs, brain size, and walking on two feet.
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What Does A Key To The City Actually Open?
Sometimes physical symbols represent values or achievements -- a trophy cup, for instance. Sometimes they're rooted in historical value, even practicality.
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How Did October Get Its Name?
Humans love to assign names. Whether it's for a child, or a discovery -- geographical, bacterial, or otherwise -- or the passage of time, there's often a name.
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How Did The Silent Generation Get Its Name?
You might know what generation you belong to, but have you ever wondered why it earned the name it did? Here's how the Silent Generation got its name.
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What Does The Sergeant At Arms Actually Do?
Nations and their governments are often filled with symbols -- symbolic gestures, symbolic objects, and sometimes, symbolic roles of office as well.
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Can You Still Immigrate Through Ellis Island?
Ellis Island has achieved mythic status in American history. Thousands of immigrants passed through its facilities, on their way to becoming U.S. citizens.
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Why Is The First Presidential Primary Held In New Hampshire?
At the start of each presidential election year, the nation's eyes turns toward New Hampshire. But why does the Granite State host the first primary?
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The Truth About Rotterdam's Historic Bridge
Rotterdam's Koningshavenbrug has come into the news lately because of none other than Amazon founder and one of the world's richest people, Jeff Bezos.
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Where Is Lizzie Borden Buried?
Even though she was acquitted of the murders, people still recite the rhyme about Lizzie Borden and her axe. She died nearly 100 years ago. Where is she buried?
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How Many Times Was Martin Luther King Jr. Arrested?
Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested more than 20 times in his years as a civil rights leader.
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The Government Experiment That Led To A Man's Death
Have you heard of Harold Blauer? The tennis player and tennis teacher died in 1953 at the age of 42 following an Army experiment gone wrong.
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The Strange Truth About The Cabbage Patch Kids Craze
Fads come and fads go, whether in the form of a haircut (Beatles, anyone?) or clothing (coonskin cap, anyone?) or, perhaps most fickle of all, toys.
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How Did April Get Its Name?
All months of the Gregorian calendar used today have roots in the ancient Roman calendar, and many of those months have pretty boring names — but not April.
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The Long History Of Bread Explained
Considering the numerous iterations of bread, it's unlikely that bread will ever disappear from the human menu. This is the long history of bread explained.
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The History Of The Slang Terms For Cannabis Explained
Slang terms for cannabis are ever-evolving. Here is a brief history of some of weed's most well-known nicknames, explained.
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When Was The Camera First Invented?
Even though more than 80% of Americans own smartphones, it's easy to forget that millions of us have a remarkably high-resolution camera or two in our pocket.
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How Far Is Point Blank Range?
Point blank range is an English phrase that we use without knowing it's true meaning. Yet, its history could have its roots in target practice.
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How Peanut Butter Was Invented
The history of peanut butter has its roots in ancient South America. How modern peanut butter came to be, though, is a story more crunchy than smooth.
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The History Of Roman Triumphs Explained
Roman generals were exalted members of the republic. What better way to celebrate their victories than with a massive party and parade called a triumph.
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Why Nazi Germany's Wonder Weapons Didn't Win The War
Numerous fictional accounts deal with breakthrough weapons that will help one military utterly defeat its enemies. Nazi Germany believed that narrative.
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The Miracle Of The Loretto Chapel Staircase Explained
We've all had those moments: We look at something that's designed, constructed, and boggling the mind with its intricacy, asking, "How did they do that?"
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The Real Reason David Bowie Once Refused A Knighthood From The Queen
British-born gender-bending musician David Bowie once refused a knighthood from the Queen of England. Here's the real reason why.
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The Mystery Surrounding Jesus' Birth Date
Jesus' birthday is celebrated on December 25, but his birthday might have actually been on a completely different date. Here's when Jesus may have been born.
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The Tragic Story Of Topsy The Elephant
An in an act of cruelty that was extreme even by the standards of early 20th century America, an elephant was executed, mostly for being an elephant.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt's Strong Words About Shirley Temple
President Franklin D. Roosevelt admired child actress Shirley Temple, and once implied that she could soothe a troubled nation. These were his words.
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The Real Reason Priests Must Follow The Exact Wording In All Baptisms
Unfortunately for several thousand Arizonans, a priest had been using the wrong word during the baptism ritual, effectively rendering those baptisms invalid.
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