The True Story Of The World's Most Obsessive Book Collector
Sir Thomas Phillipps was not just an antiquarian and collector of books; he was a bibliomaniac, the greatest collector of manuscripts the world has ever known.
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Nagasaki Wasn't Actually The Primary Target For The Atomic Bomb
Sometimes, massive shifts in world history turn on the simplest of things -- a chance encounter, a missed turn, or lousy weather over a target.
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The Disturbing History Behind The Thalidomide Scandal
Thalidomide has become the world's greatest cautionary tale against the use of pharmaceuticals before they have been fully tested.
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Stalin's Bloodiest Executioner Killed A Staggering Number Of People
One of the tragic hallmarks of many dictatorial regimes is the body count of enemies, political and otherwise, the work of willing executioners.
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Juan Orlando Hernández Went From Honduran President To International Drug Smuggler
The former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. based on accusations of trafficking cocaine and smuggling.
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The True Story Behind The First Black Woman To Serve In The US Army
In 1866, Cathay Williams enlisted in the United States Army -- as a man. Read on for the fascinating story of the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. Army.
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Inside The Story Behind Shambhala, The Buddhist Kingdom That Was Never Discovered
It may be part of human nature to imagine there's a place out there free from strife and full of knowledge. Certainly, more than one culture has this concept.
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The Tragic History Of Anti-Mormonism
Since the 1830s, Mormons have been at the center of numerous social, political, and physical attacks. This is the untold truth of anti-Mormonism.
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The Stars Of Storage Wars Before They Got Famous
The "Storage Wars" stars are definitely among the more relatable, everyday sort of people. Here are the stars of Storage Wars before they got famous.
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The Word Moody Originally Had A Much Different Meaning
The original meaning of the word moody is a far cry from the way we understand it today, but it's possible the two meanings do share a commonality.
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The Surprising Origin Of The Phrase Cool As A Cucumber
Cucumbers are a delicious veggie treat, particularly on hot summer days. Here is the interesting story behind the popularly-used phrase, "Cool as a cucumber."
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How Did The Middle Finger Become Offensive?
A raised middle finger has been a nonverbal "f*** you" through various societies for a long time, dating all the way back to the first democracy.
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17th Century Politician Johan De Witt's Gruesome Death Was Nothing Short Of Barbaric
Europe has long been viewed as a continent of culture and sophistication. However, this wasn't true with 17th century politician John de Witt's gruesome death.
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History's First Labor Strike Explained
The labor movement and its most notable tool, the strike, date back to ancient Egypt in the 12th century B.C. Here's a look at history's first labor strike.
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The Controversial History Of Marijuana Legalization
Since marijuana became illegal in 1937, politicians, pundits, users, and everyone in between have debated the merits of the federal ban.
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Times Popes Have Apologized For The Actions Of The Catholic Church
Popes John Paul II, Benedict, and Francis have apologized for some of the Catholic Church's most horrific actions. A good start, or too little, too late?
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Nichelle Nichols' Fame As Star Trek's Uhura Was Strangely Tied To Martin Luther King Jr.
The 1960s saw many firsts, such as the first moon landing, but Nichelle Nichols' fame as "Star Trek"'s Uhura was strangely tied to Martin Luther King. Jr.
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Shawnee Chief Tecumseh's Death Changed Native American History Forever
Tecumseh's enduring legacy would go on to forever alter Native American history in particular and the nation's history as well.
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The Strange Way A Cake Pan Led To The Invention Of The Frisbee
The Frisbee as we know it today came out of a lazy afternoon and a mother's cake pan.
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What's The Real Difference Between Nordic And Scandinavian?
The debate over what determines a person as Scandanavian or Nordic has been raging for a very long time. Here's the breakdown in the difference between the two.
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James Stewart's Last Vietnam Flying Mission Almost Ended In Disaster
Jimmy Stewart, known for starring in "It's a Wonderful Life," almost perished during his last bombing mission in Vietnam. Here's what happened.
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Michael Jordan's Rare Awful Performance Is Still The Worst In NBA History
Michael Jordan only had a few off-nights, but one of them led to the all-time worst performance at this annual NBA event.
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How Mary Freeman's Escape Helped End Slavery In Massachusetts
One of the earliest cases that began to change the game regarding enslavement was that of Elizabeth "Mum Bett" Freeman, in Brom and Bett v. Ashley.
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Pam Grier's Heartbreaking Description Of Her Time In Cancer Treatment
In the years surrounding her most famous Hollywood roles, Pam Grier was facing something many people aren't aware of.
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The Wild Way Elizabeth Holmes And Theranos Tricked Joe Biden
One of the most audacious stunts perpetrated by Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani involved then-Vice President Joe Biden.
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The Real Reason Velcro Was Invented
First, let's dispel a sticky rumor. Velcro was not invented for space travel. So why was it really invented?
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Pope Alexander VI's Papal Bull Had A Disastrous Effect On The Native American Population
History often depends on where the writer, as well as the reader, happen to stand. Were particular acts good things or, ultimately, massive tragedies?
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