american history

This Week In History News, Feb. 9 – 15

Ancient Native American burial ground blown up for border wall construction, radiation-eating fungus found at Chernobyl, 7,000-year-old well unearthed.

By All That's Interesting • Feb 14, 2020

This Week In History News, Feb. 9 – 15

Ancient Native American burial ground blown up for border wall construction, radiation-eating fungus found at Chernobyl, 7,000-year-old well unearthed.

By All That's Interesting • February 14, 2020

Meet The Real-Life Dog That Inspired Buck From ‘The Call Of The Wild’

Jack London became so enamored with a dog he met while prospecting for gold in the Yukon Territory that he used their bond to create one of the 20th century's most iconic works of literature.

By All That's Interesting • Feb 11, 2020

Meet The Real-Life Dog That Inspired Buck From ‘The Call Of The Wild’

Jack London became so enamored with a dog he met while prospecting for gold in the Yukon Territory that he used their bond to create one of the 20th century's most iconic works of literature.

By All That's Interesting • February 11, 2020

Charles Ponzi And The Incredible Story Behind His Notorious Scheme

In 1903, Charles Ponzi was a poor Italian immigrant with two dollars to his name — then he invented the Ponzi scheme and became a multimillionaire almost overnight.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 10, 2020

Charles Ponzi And The Incredible Story Behind His Notorious Scheme

In 1903, Charles Ponzi was a poor Italian immigrant with two dollars to his name — then he invented the Ponzi scheme and became a multimillionaire almost overnight.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 10, 2020

Meet Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, The First — And Only — Woman To Receive A Medal Of Honor

She was not only the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army, but Dr. Mary Edwards Walker also managed to survive a Confederate prison and overcome extreme misogyny to earn herself a spot in American history.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 4, 2020

Meet Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, The First — And Only — Woman To Receive A Medal Of Honor

She was not only the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army, but Dr. Mary Edwards Walker also managed to survive a Confederate prison and overcome extreme misogyny to earn herself a spot in American history.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 4, 2020

Meet Rudy Ray Moore: The Raunchy Comedian Known As The ‘Godfather Of Rap’

Thanks to his self-determination and profane genius, singer Rudy Ray Moore reinvented himself as Dolemite and changed the face of black culture.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 28, 2020

Meet Rudy Ray Moore: The Raunchy Comedian Known As The ‘Godfather Of Rap’

Thanks to his self-determination and profane genius, singer Rudy Ray Moore reinvented himself as Dolemite and changed the face of black culture.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 28, 2020

How 21-Year-Old Airman William Pitsenbarger Saved 9 Lives Against All Odds In Vietnam

After William Pitsenbarger helped rescue as many as 60 soldiers during one particularly fierce battle, he stayed on the ground and helped them fight.

By Joseph Williams • Jan 20, 2020

How 21-Year-Old Airman William Pitsenbarger Saved 9 Lives Against All Odds In Vietnam

After William Pitsenbarger helped rescue as many as 60 soldiers during one particularly fierce battle, he stayed on the ground and helped them fight.

By Joseph Williams • January 20, 2020

Robert E. Lee Day Celebrates A Confederate General — On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Decades after he lost the Civil War, Confederate General Robert E. Lee got his own holiday in 1889. Some Southern states — especially Alabama and Mississippi — still honor it.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 19, 2020

Robert E. Lee Day Celebrates A Confederate General — On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Decades after he lost the Civil War, Confederate General Robert E. Lee got his own holiday in 1889. Some Southern states — especially Alabama and Mississippi — still honor it.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 19, 2020

The True Story Behind The FBI’s Martin Luther King Tapes And The Disturbing ‘Suicide Letter’

In 1964, the FBI tried to blackmail Martin Luther King Jr. into ending his civil rights campaign with a letter that threatened to expose proof of his extramarital affairs — and apparently even encouraged him to kill himself.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 16, 2020

The True Story Behind The FBI’s Martin Luther King Tapes And The Disturbing ‘Suicide Letter’

In 1964, the FBI tried to blackmail Martin Luther King Jr. into ending his civil rights campaign with a letter that threatened to expose proof of his extramarital affairs — and apparently even encouraged him to kill himself.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 16, 2020

How French ‘Casket Girls’ Were Forced Into The New World To ‘Tame’ The Male Settlers

In the 1700s, there were too many men and not enough women in France's Louisiana territory. So King Louis XIV devised a "solution."

By Andrew Milne • Jan 14, 2020

How French ‘Casket Girls’ Were Forced Into The New World To ‘Tame’ The Male Settlers

In the 1700s, there were too many men and not enough women in France's Louisiana territory. So King Louis XIV devised a "solution."

By Andrew Milne • January 14, 2020

Franz Stigler, Charlie Brown, And A Friendship Born From The Horror Of War

When Luftwaffe pilot Franz Stigler had American bomber Charlie Brown's defenseless plane in his sights in 1943, he not only let him go but then escorted him out of danger. A half-century later, the two men became close friends.

By Joseph Williams • Jan 14, 2020

Franz Stigler, Charlie Brown, And A Friendship Born From The Horror Of War

When Luftwaffe pilot Franz Stigler had American bomber Charlie Brown's defenseless plane in his sights in 1943, he not only let him go but then escorted him out of danger. A half-century later, the two men became close friends.

By Joseph Williams • January 14, 2020

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Helped Desegregate New York City Streetcars 100 Years Before Rosa Parks

Elizabeth Jennings Graham was told to get off the trolley and wait for one with "her people" on it. She said she didn't have people and refused to get off.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 11, 2020

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Helped Desegregate New York City Streetcars 100 Years Before Rosa Parks

Elizabeth Jennings Graham was told to get off the trolley and wait for one with "her people" on it. She said she didn't have people and refused to get off.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 11, 2020

The Mysterious Death of Thelma Todd, Hollywood’s ‘Ice Cream Blonde’

Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Although her death was ruled a suicide, many believe she was actually murdered.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Jan 10, 2020

The Mysterious Death of Thelma Todd, Hollywood’s ‘Ice Cream Blonde’

Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Although her death was ruled a suicide, many believe she was actually murdered.

By Jaclyn Anglis • January 10, 2020