American History Stories That Uncover The United States' Past

How Joey Merlino Became The ‘John Gotti Of Philadelphia’ — And Why Many Believe He Still Is

Flamboyant gangster "Skinny Joey" Merlino took over virtually all organized crime in Philadelphia after the city’s bloody mob wars in the 1990s — but after a pair of recent convictions, he claims to be reformed.

By Neil Patmore Mar 21, 2023

How Joey Merlino Became The ‘John Gotti Of Philadelphia’ — And Why Many Believe He Still Is

By Neil Patmore March 21, 2023

The Fugate Family Of Kentucky Has Had Blue Skin For Centuries — Here’s Why

For nearly 200 years, the Fugates — known as the blue people of Kentucky — remained largely sealed off from the outside world as they passed their blue skin from generation to generation.

By Gabe Paoletti Mar 21, 2023

The Fugate Family Of Kentucky Has Had Blue Skin For Centuries — Here’s Why

For nearly 200 years, the Fugates — known as the blue people of Kentucky — remained largely sealed off from the outside world as they passed their blue skin from generation to generation.

By Gabe Paoletti March 21, 2023

A Stolen Life: The Kidnapping Of Jaycee Dugard And Her 18 Years In Captivity

When she was 11, Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped on the way to school in Lake Tahoe by Phillip and Nancy Garrido and was held captive for the next 18 years until her miraculous rescue in 2009.

By Austin Harvey Mar 20, 2023

A Stolen Life: The Kidnapping Of Jaycee Dugard And Her 18 Years In Captivity

When she was 11, Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped on the way to school in Lake Tahoe by Phillip and Nancy Garrido and was held captive for the next 18 years until her miraculous rescue in 2009.

By Austin Harvey March 20, 2023

The Bloody History Of The 1997 North Hollywood Shootout And The ‘High Incident Bandits’ Behind It

On the morning of February 28, 1997, Larry Phillips Jr. and Emil Matasareanu led one of the biggest gun battles in Los Angeles history after robbing a Bank of America, firing more than 2,000 rounds at police before they died.

By Neil Patmore Mar 17, 2023

The Bloody History Of The 1997 North Hollywood Shootout And The ‘High Incident Bandits’ Behind It

By Neil Patmore March 17, 2023

The Agonizing Death Of Floyd Collins, The Cave Explorer Who Was Trapped Underground For 17 Days Before He Finally Perished

On January 30, 1925, William Floyd Collins got stuck in a passageway deep inside Kentucky's Sand Cave, inciting a media spectacle that drew tens of thousands of people to the scene in hopes of seeing him rescued.

By Austin Harvey Mar 15, 2023

The Agonizing Death Of Floyd Collins, The Cave Explorer Who Was Trapped Underground For 17 Days Before He Finally Perished

By Austin Harvey March 15, 2023

The Chilling Story Of The Branch Davidians And The Waco Siege

Once an obscure offshoot of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Branch Davidians' Waco compound was raided by the FBI in 1993, leading to the deaths of 76 members.

By Kaleena Fraga Mar 14, 2023

The Chilling Story Of The Branch Davidians And The Waco Siege

Once an obscure offshoot of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Branch Davidians' Waco compound was raided by the FBI in 1993, leading to the deaths of 76 members.

By Kaleena Fraga March 14, 2023

The Grisly Story Of The Purrington Massacre, When A Revolutionary War Veteran Killed His Family With An Axe

In 1806, well-respected farmer James Purrington suddenly decided to murder his wife and seven of his children, leaving his neighbors in small-town Maine shocked and horrified.

By Genevieve Carlton Mar 13, 2023

The Grisly Story Of The Purrington Massacre, When A Revolutionary War Veteran Killed His Family With An Axe

In 1806, well-respected farmer James Purrington suddenly decided to murder his wife and seven of his children, leaving his neighbors in small-town Maine shocked and horrified.

By Genevieve Carlton March 13, 2023

Nutty Putty Cave Was A Hotspot For Underground Explorers — Until One Spelunker Got Trapped Inside

After John Edward Jones got stuck inside Utah's Nutty Putty Cave and died there in 2009, it was closed for good — with Jones' body forever sealed inside.

By William DeLong Mar 11, 2023

Nutty Putty Cave Was A Hotspot For Underground Explorers — Until One Spelunker Got Trapped Inside

After John Edward Jones got stuck inside Utah's Nutty Putty Cave and died there in 2009, it was closed for good — with Jones' body forever sealed inside.

By William DeLong March 11, 2023

Inside The Gruesome Death Of Bonnie And Clyde At The Hands Of A Trigger-Happy Posse

On a remote highway in rural Louisiana, six lawmen awaited Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow on the morning of May 23, 1934. When the infamous criminal duo arrived, the posse shot 130 bullets into their Ford V8.

By Katie Serena Mar 11, 2023