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.

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

From the moment Babe Paley was born, her parents had grand plans for their little girl. And in many ways, she fulfilled them—but at a devastating cost. A debutante at 18 and a high-society wife by 25, Babe seemed to hold New York City in the palm of her perfectly manicured hand. But the higher the pedestal, the harder the fall.

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....

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PEOPLE

Baroness Nica Rothschild ruled over The Stanhope Hotel in New York City, but people didn’t realize she kept disturbing secrets locked up in her rooms.

EDITORIAL

Linda Blair’s role as Regan in The Exorcist was her first major acting gig—but her experience on set was also a horror story.

PEOPLE

Black Kettle tried to use diplomacy to save his people from the white man, with tragic results.

PEOPLE

In 1926, missing evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson emerged from the New Mexico desert. The sight was chilling—but her tale was even more twisted.

EDITORIAL

If you want a true femme fatale, look no further than the infamous moment starlet Anita Ekberg had with the paparazzi.

PEOPLE

Tragedy followed Mary Todd Lincoln like a storm cloud—and after losing her husband and three of her children, she went down a dark path.

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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.

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

Virality Before the FeedLong before likes, shares, or group chats, people still chased whatever everyone else was doing. Trends raced through cities and crossed oceans using newspapers, gossip, shop windows, performances, cheap prints, and the...

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From elevators and refrigerators to smartphones and dishwashers, these everyday conveniences exist because determined inventors refused to believe their bold ideas were impossible.

EDITORIAL

1956’s The Conqueror is considered one of the worst films ever—but the film’s total failure was the least shocking thing about it.

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

Some mysteries of the Wild West still flummox historians even after decades of research.

THINGS

Paris and Nicole seemed to have the closest friendship in Hollywood—but all it took was one night to tear them apart, sparking a brutal feud.



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