american history

The Little-Known Story Of John Billington, The Mayflower Pilgrim Who Became The First Murderer In American History

Before committing his historic murder, John Billington was punished for a number of other offenses in Plymouth and became a social outcast — but scholars now think there might be more to his story.

By Genevieve Carlton • Aug 26, 2021

The Little-Known Story Of John Billington, The Mayflower Pilgrim Who Became The First Murderer In American History

Before committing his historic murder, John Billington was punished for a number of other offenses in Plymouth and became a social outcast — but scholars now think there might be more to his story.

By Genevieve Carlton • August 26, 2021

Isaac Sprague Found Sideshow Fame As The ‘Living Skeleton’ — But His Offstage Story Was Tragic

After Isaac W. Sprague developed a mysterious condition that caused his weight to drop to skeletal levels, he endured a life of exploitation in P.T. Barnum’s museum of human curiosities.

By Morgan Dunn • Aug 26, 2021

Isaac Sprague Found Sideshow Fame As The ‘Living Skeleton’ — But His Offstage Story Was Tragic

After Isaac W. Sprague developed a mysterious condition that caused his weight to drop to skeletal levels, he endured a life of exploitation in P.T. Barnum’s museum of human curiosities.

By Morgan Dunn • August 26, 2021

Turns Out The “Ice Cream Song” From Our Childhood Is Incredibly Racist

The tune's popularity in America and its association with ice cream trucks are the result of decades of racist songs.

By Gabe Paoletti • Aug 26, 2021

Turns Out The “Ice Cream Song” From Our Childhood Is Incredibly Racist

The tune's popularity in America and its association with ice cream trucks are the result of decades of racist songs.

By Gabe Paoletti • August 26, 2021

The Grisly Story Of Lizzie Halliday, The ‘Worst Woman On Earth’

An Irish-American serial killer, Lizzie Halliday murdered at least four people in upstate New York in the 1890s. And some people even accused her of being Jack the Ripper.

By Genevieve Carlton • Aug 25, 2021

The Grisly Story Of Lizzie Halliday, The ‘Worst Woman On Earth’

An Irish-American serial killer, Lizzie Halliday murdered at least four people in upstate New York in the 1890s. And some people even accused her of being Jack the Ripper.

By Genevieve Carlton • August 25, 2021

George And Willie Muse, The Black Brothers Who Were Kidnapped By The Circus And Billed As ‘Martians’

Born with a rare form of albinism in the Jim Crow South, George and Willie Muse were spotted by a showman and forced into a life of exploitation.

By Morgan Dunn • Aug 25, 2021

George And Willie Muse, The Black Brothers Who Were Kidnapped By The Circus And Billed As ‘Martians’

Born with a rare form of albinism in the Jim Crow South, George and Willie Muse were spotted by a showman and forced into a life of exploitation.

By Morgan Dunn • August 25, 2021

Al Capone’s ‘Favorite’ Gun And The Last Photo Ever Taken Of Him Are Up For Auction

The family of gangster Al Capone is auctioning off 174 personal items, including his gun, diamond-monogrammed jewelry, personal letters, and even the last photo of him ever taken.

By Marco Margaritoff • Aug 25, 2021

News

Al Capone’s ‘Favorite’ Gun And The Last Photo Ever Taken Of Him Are Up For Auction

The family of gangster Al Capone is auctioning off 174 personal items, including his gun, diamond-monogrammed jewelry, personal letters, and even the last photo of him ever taken.

By Marco Margaritoff • August 25, 2021

23 Child Labor Photographs That Changed The Face Of American Industry

Photographer Lewis Hine captured the appalling child labor conditions of early 20th century America in stark, history-making detail.

By Elisabeth Sherman • Aug 25, 2021

23 Child Labor Photographs That Changed The Face Of American Industry

Photographer Lewis Hine captured the appalling child labor conditions of early 20th century America in stark, history-making detail.

By Elisabeth Sherman • August 25, 2021

Massachusetts Eighth-Graders Fight To Exonerate Salem’s Last Convicted ‘Witch’

Though Massachusetts pardoned most accused witches in 1957 and 2001, Elizabeth Johnson Jr.'s name was left off the list.

By Kaleena Fraga • Aug 24, 2021

News

Massachusetts Eighth-Graders Fight To Exonerate Salem’s Last Convicted ‘Witch’

Though Massachusetts pardoned most accused witches in 1957 and 2001, Elizabeth Johnson Jr.'s name was left off the list.

By Kaleena Fraga • August 24, 2021

How American Legend Davy Crockett Went From Frontiersman To Politician To Hero Of The Alamo

Known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," soldier and adventurer Davy Crockett became a folk hero for his exploits in the Creek Indian War and the Texas Revolution.

By Katie Serena • Aug 24, 2021

How American Legend Davy Crockett Went From Frontiersman To Politician To Hero Of The Alamo

Known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," soldier and adventurer Davy Crockett became a folk hero for his exploits in the Creek Indian War and the Texas Revolution.

By Katie Serena • August 24, 2021

The Crimes Of Thomas Neill Cream, The Victorian Doctor Who Killed His Patients

Dr. Thomas Neill Cream left a trail of victims across London and Chicago before he was executed in 1892. And some believe he may have been the infamous Jack the Ripper.

By Genevieve Carlton • Aug 23, 2021

The Crimes Of Thomas Neill Cream, The Victorian Doctor Who Killed His Patients

Dr. Thomas Neill Cream left a trail of victims across London and Chicago before he was executed in 1892. And some believe he may have been the infamous Jack the Ripper.

By Genevieve Carlton • August 23, 2021