Elizabeth II was the longest-serving monarch in English history—but things weren’t exactly supposed to happen the way they did. The world was very different back when Elizabeth was born, and no one ever expected her to ascend to the throne. That is, until a strange twist of fate changed the course of history.
In less than a decade, Alexander the Great conquered the known world, even pushing the borders of his sprawling empire into the uncharted territories of the Indus Valley. How he conquered the world—and then lost it—is an epic tale of betrayal, fate, heroism, and villainy.
Tsar Alexander II of Russia stood at the crossroads of history—after all, his reign paved the way to the fall of the Romanov empire. And when you look at his scandalous life, it’s no wonder why it ended in tragedy. From secret, explosive letters to his utterly violent and shocking end, Alexander makes the mad, power-hungry Tsars that came before and after him look downright innocent.
The Vanderbilts are likely America's closest thing to a royal family—at least, they spent money like one. The money came from Cornelius Vanderbilt, and the lavish spending came from just about anyone carrying the Vanderbilt name.
Queen Tamar is something of a puzzle to historians. They have trouble believing that someone could be so pious and kindhearted, but also responsible for so many gruesome battles. To which I say: Can’t it be both? Her piousness actually seemed to help make her such a powerful, successful Queen, in battle and otherwise. And I like to think the most brilliant people are also the most paradoxical. But we'll let you decide for yourself.
Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia was a disastrous saga of brutal battles, blistering heat, and bitter cold that ultimately shattered his empire. From reports of cannibalism to walls built out of corpses, this was Napoleon’s nightmare.
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Days after Kate Spade’s tragic death, her husband Andy confessed that they had been living apart for almost a year.
Some women have everything and still want more, but Sita Devi practically invented ambition. There's a reason they call her the "Indian Wallis Simpson."
Lucia Joyce left in a series of asylums after losing her father—but that cruel treatment was nothing compared to the indignities she suffered in death.
Circuses back in the day boasted all things bizarre. Out of that center of exploitation comes the strange, sad story of Schlitzie the Pinhead.
After filming the Red Wedding, Richard Madden stormed off set and went directly to the airport still covered in fake blood.
When Connie Francis adopted her baby boy Joey, it looked picture-perfect on the outside. But his true origins are shocking.
The earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025 caused tragic death and destruction, but it also revealed an surprising archaeological treasure: the remains of a grand structure belonging to Burma’s historic Konbaung Dynasty.
Hollywood has given us all kinds of glamorous stories—but the darkest tales come from the real history of the town itself.
In 2018, scientists made a discovery of stone tools at Ain Boucherit, Algeria, dated to approximately 2.4 million years ago. The find challenges our previously held notions about the development of early humans.
Archaeologists in the Kingdom of Tonga have uncovered the remnants of an ancient city on the island of Tongatapu. The incredible discovery, announced in 2024, overturns the chronology of early Pacific Island civilization.
High on the cliffs above the Cuanza River in Angola, the fortress of Cambambe stands as a stark monument of Portuguese colonial ambitions in Africa.
In 1923, Frank Hayes suffered a fatal heart attack while mid-race, but stayed in the saddle until his horse finished first place.
Nirvana only released three albums before Kurt Cobain demise, but in that short time, they left a legacy that changed music forever.
The charred scrolls of Herculaneum, buried under the ash of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, were long thought to be undecipherable. But new technology has allowed researchers to see what’s written on them.
The discovery of the oldest known wooden structure at Kalambo Falls in Zambia has flung open the door into a new chapter of early hominid adaptation to the environment.
Revenge is a dish best served cold, but over time, it has seen many forms. These are examples of history's greatest acts of vengeance.
An extremely rare condition called “super memory” allows people to remember every detail of their lives.
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