american history

The Curious Story Of Ida Wood, The Wealthy New York Socialite Who Became The ‘Recluse Of Herald Square’

In 1907, Ida Wood emptied her enormous bank account and booked a room at the Herald Square Hotel — where she would spend the final two decades of her life in seclusion.

By Genevieve Carlton • Jun 17, 2025

The Curious Story Of Ida Wood, The Wealthy New York Socialite Who Became The ‘Recluse Of Herald Square’

In 1907, Ida Wood emptied her enormous bank account and booked a room at the Herald Square Hotel — where she would spend the final two decades of her life in seclusion.

By Genevieve Carlton • June 17, 2025

Newly-Found Sketches Reveal The Statue Of Liberty Had A Last-Minute Design Change

These newly-uncovered drawings show that late alterations were made to Lady Liberty's raised arm.

By Natasha Ishak • Jun 16, 2025

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Newly-Found Sketches Reveal The Statue Of Liberty Had A Last-Minute Design Change

These newly-uncovered drawings show that late alterations were made to Lady Liberty's raised arm.

By Natasha Ishak • June 16, 2025

Inside The Tragic Death Of River Phoenix — And The Downward Spiral That Preceded It

Following several days of binging on cocaine and heroin, 23-year-old actor River Phoenix collapsed outside Hollywood's Viper Room nightclub right in front of his brother, sister, and girlfriend on October 31, 1993.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jun 12, 2025

Inside The Tragic Death Of River Phoenix — And The Downward Spiral That Preceded It

Following several days of binging on cocaine and heroin, 23-year-old actor River Phoenix collapsed outside Hollywood's Viper Room nightclub right in front of his brother, sister, and girlfriend on October 31, 1993.

By Marco Margaritoff • June 12, 2025

Painting Found Gathering Dust In A Connecticut Barn For More Than A Century Sells At Auction For $7 Million

After the painting was painstakingly restored, it was revealed to be the 1666 masterpiece "View of Olinda, Brazil" by Dutch artist Frans Post, one of the few European painters to visit the Americas in the 17th century.

By Ainsley Brown • Jun 11, 2025

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Painting Found Gathering Dust In A Connecticut Barn For More Than A Century Sells At Auction For $7 Million

After the painting was painstakingly restored, it was revealed to be the 1666 masterpiece "View of Olinda, Brazil" by Dutch artist Frans Post, one of the few European painters to visit the Americas in the 17th century.

By Ainsley Brown • June 11, 2025

Inside The ‘Revolting’ Execution Of William Kemmler, The First Man To Die By Electric Chair

Convicted murderer William Kemmler became the first person to be executed in the newly invented electric chair on August 6, 1890, at New York's Auburn State Prison — but it went terribly wrong.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 10, 2025

Inside The ‘Revolting’ Execution Of William Kemmler, The First Man To Die By Electric Chair

Convicted murderer William Kemmler became the first person to be executed in the newly invented electric chair on August 6, 1890, at New York's Auburn State Prison — but it went terribly wrong.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 10, 2025

Dennis Hof, The Infamous Nevada Brothel Owner Who Won A Political Seat — Three Weeks After His Death

Dennis Hof had gained a reputation as a notorious brothel owner and reality TV star when he died in 2018, three weeks before an election for the Nevada State Assembly, which he won posthumously.

By Austin Harvey • Jun 8, 2025

Dennis Hof, The Infamous Nevada Brothel Owner Who Won A Political Seat — Three Weeks After His Death

Dennis Hof had gained a reputation as a notorious brothel owner and reality TV star when he died in 2018, three weeks before an election for the Nevada State Assembly, which he won posthumously.

By Austin Harvey • June 8, 2025

The Life And Career Of J. C. Leyendecker, The Most Prominent Commercial Artist Of The Early 20th Century

Between 1899 and 1951, J. C. Leyendecker drew 322 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, created thousands of advertisements for companies like Kellogg's and Ivory Soap, and invented the idealized "Arrow Collar Man."

By Andrew Milne • Jun 7, 2025

The Life And Career Of J. C. Leyendecker, The Most Prominent Commercial Artist Of The Early 20th Century

Between 1899 and 1951, J. C. Leyendecker drew 322 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, created thousands of advertisements for companies like Kellogg's and Ivory Soap, and invented the idealized "Arrow Collar Man."

By Andrew Milne • June 7, 2025

The ‘Midnight Ride’ Of William Dawes, The American Revolutionary Who Rode Alongside Paul Revere

On April 18, 1775, William Dawes and Paul Revere were both dispatched to warn colonists in Massachusetts that the British were coming — so why is only Revere's story celebrated today?

By Genevieve Carlton • Jun 6, 2025

The ‘Midnight Ride’ Of William Dawes, The American Revolutionary Who Rode Alongside Paul Revere

On April 18, 1775, William Dawes and Paul Revere were both dispatched to warn colonists in Massachusetts that the British were coming — so why is only Revere's story celebrated today?

By Genevieve Carlton • June 6, 2025

Inside The Bizarre Case Of Will And William West — And Its Alleged Impact On Fingerprinting In Prisons

In 1903, two men named Will and William West were both imprisoned at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Their appearances and measurements were so similar that prison officials had to rely on their fingerprints to tell them apart.

By Rivy Lyon • Jun 3, 2025

Inside The Bizarre Case Of Will And William West — And Its Alleged Impact On Fingerprinting In Prisons

In 1903, two men named Will and William West were both imprisoned at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Their appearances and measurements were so similar that prison officials had to rely on their fingerprints to tell them apart.

By Rivy Lyon • June 3, 2025

Two 14-Year-Olds In Upstate New York Were Just Charged With Burning Down An Historic Mill That Opened In 1846

On May 31, 2025, a fire broke out at the historic Victory Mills in the village of Victory, New York — and now, two 14-year-olds have been arrested on arson charges.

By Austin Harvey • Jun 3, 2025

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Two 14-Year-Olds In Upstate New York Were Just Charged With Burning Down An Historic Mill That Opened In 1846

On May 31, 2025, a fire broke out at the historic Victory Mills in the village of Victory, New York — and now, two 14-year-olds have been arrested on arson charges.

By Austin Harvey • June 3, 2025