VIDEO

A gentleman to some and a menace to others, John Dillinger put America in a frenzy with a spree that led to the formation of the FBI itself—until his luck ran out.

VIDEO

Imagine a world where burly Norse warriors discover a new continent—and then just... walk away. Wild, right? Get ready for a story into why the Vikings pulled the ultimate “not interested” move on North America. But first, an introduction.

VIDEO

Field Marshal Bernard Law “Monty” Montgomery was instrumental in defeating the Axis forces during WWII. His strategic brilliance, however, was second only to his massive ego and total lack of tact. More people need to know about Bernard “Monty” Montgomery, the man who Winston Churchill himself described as, “In defeat, unbeatable; in victory, unbearable”.

VIDEO

Meg Ryan has been a Hollywood fixture for the better part of four decades. Best known for rom-com romps such as Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, the actress’s off-screen life has been equally romance and comedy-filled....

VIDEO

The House of Tudor had more than its fair share of scandalous figures, from Henry VIII’s many marriages to the intrigue and plots of the court of Elizabeth I. But few remember the twisted tale of Mary Tudor—the English princess who briefly became Queen of France. From her secret marriage to her bitter rivalry with Anne Boleyn, Mary packed a lot into her short life.

VIDEO

Francis I of France is inevitably compared to Henry VIII. Both kings had big personalities, big love affairs, and big scandals that rocked the face of Europe. But there’s a lot more to Francis than just the similarities to the Tudor counterpart. From his unlikely ascension to the throne to his brutal defeats and torturous later years, Francis did not languish in his neighbor's shadow.

F

History's most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily.

Thank you!
Error, please try again.

PEOPLE

For years, people thought that the adventurer Chris McCandless starved to death—but in 2013, a jaw-dropping new theory emerged.

EDITORIAL

Why does Quentin Tarantino, everyone's favorite schlocky, foot-obsessed movie nerd ,think Pauline Kael is so special? It's simple: Pauline Kael was awesome.

PEOPLE

Poet Percy Shelley left behind a trail of utter destruction that included broken promises, jilted lovers, and ruined lives.

PEOPLE

But behind Dick Clark's boyish grin was a man involved in the shadier side of the music business—including the 1960 Payola scandal.

EDITORIAL

The 106-year-old Filipina artist Whang-od Oggay is known as the “last” traditional Kalinga tattooist. But she also has a heart-wrenching backstory.

PEOPLE

Emmeline Pankhurst, the original suffragette, endured nightmares in prison to secure the right to vote—yet few people know her even darker history.

Advertisement

EDITORIAL

The history of Mexico City stretches back almost two centuries before the Spanish ever set foot in the Americas. Rather, the Spanish built their capital on top of the ashes of one of the most beautiful and unique cities in history: Tenochtitlan.

PLACES

Alcatraz was only in operation for less than 30 years, but in that time it gained the reputation as one of the most notorious prisons in American history.

PLACES

Area 51's workers don't drive there. They fly in on a classified US Government airline known only as "Janet."

PLACES

We may be standing on the shoulders of giants—and, if some legends are believed, that phrase might be shockingly literal.

THINGS

The world is filled with spectacular, bizarre, and iconic buildings—but these structures often have a surprisingly dark history.

THINGS

So notorious that its name is synonymous with madness, the history of Bethlem Royal Hospital, or Bedlam, is filled with some of humanity's darkest moments.

THINGS

Fame isn't always what it seems—and these doomed celebrities are proof. Tragically, wealth and recognition only led them closer to their untimely ends.

THINGS

The Slap. The Best Picture mix-up. Angelina Jolie's brother. We think we know what happened—but the truth about these Oscars scandals is much more twisted.

THINGS

Explore 25 everyday habits from the 1970s that were once completely normal in America but would seem strange, risky, or unbelievable in today’s modern world.

THINGS

Hollywood affairs have kept the gossip mill alive for decades. These stories expose all the dirty details: broken hearts, brutal betrayal, and pure passion.

THINGS

Some things Americans once did in public without a second thought would raise plenty of eyebrows today. From smoking in hospitals to sharing drinking cups with complete strangers, everyday life followed a very different set of social rules not all that long ago. These forgotten customs show just how much attitudes toward health, safety, manners, and personal freedom have changed over the years.

THINGS

What happened to these reality stars when the cameras stopped rolling? Just because they weren't on TV anymore doesn’t mean they stopped causing drama.



Want to learn something new every day?

Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.