american history

‘Dark, Decadent, And Nihilistic’: Inside The True Story Of Sex Pistols Bassist Sid Vicious

Sid Vicious was just 21 when he died of a heroin overdose in 1979 — but he's still remembered as one of the most controversial punk rock musicians in history.

By Erin Kelly • May 14, 2023

‘Dark, Decadent, And Nihilistic’: Inside The True Story Of Sex Pistols Bassist Sid Vicious

Sid Vicious was just 21 when he died of a heroin overdose in 1979 — but he's still remembered as one of the most controversial punk rock musicians in history.

By Erin Kelly • May 14, 2023

The Hillside Stranglers, The Predators Who Raped And Murdered 10 Victims

Starting in October 1977, Hillside Stranglers Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono murdered 10 women and dumped their bodies in the hills surrounding Los Angeles.

By Mark Oliver • May 13, 2023

The Hillside Stranglers, The Predators Who Raped And Murdered 10 Victims

Starting in October 1977, Hillside Stranglers Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono murdered 10 women and dumped their bodies in the hills surrounding Los Angeles.

By Mark Oliver • May 13, 2023

The Brutal Life And Death Of Alpo Martinez, The New York Drug Lord Who Murdered His Own Partner

A 1980s crack kingpin who later became a federal informant, Alpo Martinez was determined to fix his disgraced reputation in Harlem — until he was shot dead there in 2021.

By Austin Harvey • May 12, 2023

The Brutal Life And Death Of Alpo Martinez, The New York Drug Lord Who Murdered His Own Partner

A 1980s crack kingpin who later became a federal informant, Alpo Martinez was determined to fix his disgraced reputation in Harlem — until he was shot dead there in 2021.

By Austin Harvey • May 12, 2023

The Crimes Of Ronald DeFeo Jr., The ‘Possessed’ Man Who Killed His Family And Inspired The Amityville Horror

In 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. fatally shot his parents and four younger siblings in their Long Island home — then blamed the murder spree on demons.

By Austin Harvey • May 11, 2023

The Crimes Of Ronald DeFeo Jr., The ‘Possessed’ Man Who Killed His Family And Inspired The Amityville Horror

In 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. fatally shot his parents and four younger siblings in their Long Island home — then blamed the murder spree on demons.

By Austin Harvey • May 11, 2023

The History Of The Drunkard’s Cloak, A Punishment For Public Intoxication That Was Far Worse Than A Hangover

Originating in 16th-century England, the Drunkard's Cloak was a public punishment for drunkenness that involved putting an empty barrel over the guilty party's torso, with holes cut out for their head and arms, and parading them through town to shame them.

By Austin Harvey • May 10, 2023

The History Of The Drunkard’s Cloak, A Punishment For Public Intoxication That Was Far Worse Than A Hangover

Originating in 16th-century England, the Drunkard's Cloak was a public punishment for drunkenness that involved putting an empty barrel over the guilty party's torso, with holes cut out for their head and arms, and parading them through town to shame them.

By Austin Harvey • May 10, 2023

The Real Men In Black: The Quasi-Government Agents Who Silence Witnesses Of Alleged Alien Encounters

Unlike their Hollywood counterparts, the real-life Men in Black are mysterious figures who threaten people who have reported paranormal experiences.

By Austin Harvey • May 9, 2023

The Real Men In Black: The Quasi-Government Agents Who Silence Witnesses Of Alleged Alien Encounters

Unlike their Hollywood counterparts, the real-life Men in Black are mysterious figures who threaten people who have reported paranormal experiences.

By Austin Harvey • May 9, 2023

The Gruesome Crimes Of Martha Place, The First Woman To Die In The Electric Chair

Martha Place brutally murdered her 17-year-old stepdaughter Ida with acid in 1898 and was executed by electric chair the following year.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 8, 2023

The Gruesome Crimes Of Martha Place, The First Woman To Die In The Electric Chair

Martha Place brutally murdered her 17-year-old stepdaughter Ida with acid in 1898 and was executed by electric chair the following year.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 8, 2023

The True Story Of Efraim Diveroli, The 21-Year-Old Arms Dealer Who Inspired ‘War Dogs’

Discover the real story of Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz, the "stoner arms dealers" from Miami Beach whose 2007 weapons contracts inspired the movie War Dogs.

By Andrew Milne • May 6, 2023

The True Story Of Efraim Diveroli, The 21-Year-Old Arms Dealer Who Inspired ‘War Dogs’

Discover the real story of Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz, the "stoner arms dealers" from Miami Beach whose 2007 weapons contracts inspired the movie War Dogs.

By Andrew Milne • May 6, 2023

Barry Seal, The ‘Most Important Witness’ In The History Of The Drug Enforcement Administration

Barry Seal smuggled cocaine for Pablo Escobar and the Medellín cartel for years — and then he became an informant for the DEA to help bring them down.

By Daniel Rennie • May 6, 2023

Barry Seal, The ‘Most Important Witness’ In The History Of The Drug Enforcement Administration

Barry Seal smuggled cocaine for Pablo Escobar and the Medellín cartel for years — and then he became an informant for the DEA to help bring them down.

By Daniel Rennie • May 6, 2023

How Ariel Castro Kidnapped Three Teenage Girls — And How They Finally Escaped

Held captive and tortured for over 10 years in Ariel Castro's house, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight, and Amanda Berry escaped in May 2013 and brought their kidnapper to justice.

By Andrew Milne • May 6, 2023

How Ariel Castro Kidnapped Three Teenage Girls — And How They Finally Escaped

Held captive and tortured for over 10 years in Ariel Castro's house, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight, and Amanda Berry escaped in May 2013 and brought their kidnapper to justice.

By Andrew Milne • May 6, 2023

The Chilling Crimes Of David Carpenter, The Trailside Killer

Between 1979 and 1981, David Carpenter murdered so many people along Bay Area nature trails that some parks posted ominous "Do Not Hike Alone" warning signs.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 6, 2023

The Chilling Crimes Of David Carpenter, The Trailside Killer

Between 1979 and 1981, David Carpenter murdered so many people along Bay Area nature trails that some parks posted ominous "Do Not Hike Alone" warning signs.

By Genevieve Carlton • May 6, 2023

The Complex History Of When Slavery Actually Ended In America

From the Emancipation Proclamation to the end of the Civil War to the 13th Amendment, go inside the real story of how slavery was abolished in the United States.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 5, 2023

The Complex History Of When Slavery Actually Ended In America

From the Emancipation Proclamation to the end of the Civil War to the 13th Amendment, go inside the real story of how slavery was abolished in the United States.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 5, 2023