american history

The Story Of Annie Jones, P.T. Barnum’s Bearded Lady

How Annie Jones attained fame as P.T. Barnum's "Bearded Lady," yet still died little more than a circus "freak" in the eyes of the business that chewed her up.

By Gina Dimuro • Jul 24, 2018

The Story Of Annie Jones, P.T. Barnum’s Bearded Lady

How Annie Jones attained fame as P.T. Barnum's "Bearded Lady," yet still died little more than a circus "freak" in the eyes of the business that chewed her up.

By Gina Dimuro • July 24, 2018

Harriet Cole Donated Her Body To Science — And Had Her Entire Nervous System Removed

No one knows why Harriet Cole donated her body to science, but the contribution she made lives on to this day.

By Gina Dimuro • Jul 23, 2018

Harriet Cole Donated Her Body To Science — And Had Her Entire Nervous System Removed

No one knows why Harriet Cole donated her body to science, but the contribution she made lives on to this day.

By Gina Dimuro • July 23, 2018

21 Historical Figures You Didn’t Know Supported The Eugenics Movement

Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and other revered historical figures who supported the eugenics movement at the height of its pre-WWII popularity.

By Kara Goldfarb • Jul 19, 2018

21 Historical Figures You Didn’t Know Supported The Eugenics Movement

Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and other revered historical figures who supported the eugenics movement at the height of its pre-WWII popularity.

By Kara Goldfarb • July 19, 2018

The Murders That Caused A Town To Change Its Name – And Inspired An Angelina Jolie Movie

The Wineville Chicken Coop Murders rocked a small southern California town in the late 1920s – and led to the hanging of Gordon Northcott.

By Gina Dimuro • Jul 18, 2018

The Murders That Caused A Town To Change Its Name – And Inspired An Angelina Jolie Movie

The Wineville Chicken Coop Murders rocked a small southern California town in the late 1920s – and led to the hanging of Gordon Northcott.

By Gina Dimuro • July 18, 2018

When Exploding A-Bombs Were The Greatest Show In Las Vegas

Throughout the 1950s, atomic detonations brought countless tourists to Sin City — and helped make it what it is today.

By Gina Dimuro • Jul 18, 2018

When Exploding A-Bombs Were The Greatest Show In Las Vegas

Throughout the 1950s, atomic detonations brought countless tourists to Sin City — and helped make it what it is today.

By Gina Dimuro • July 18, 2018

These Chinese Men Survived The Titanic — And Were Written Out Of History

"Six Chinese guys made it off the Titanic alive and 24 hours later were written out of the story."

By Gina Dimuro • Jul 17, 2018

These Chinese Men Survived The Titanic — And Were Written Out Of History

"Six Chinese guys made it off the Titanic alive and 24 hours later were written out of the story."

By Gina Dimuro • July 17, 2018

ABSCAM, Mel Weinberg, And The Real Story Behind ‘American Hustle’

How the daring 1970s FBI sting known as ABSCAM employed con man Mel Weinberg to take down corrupt politicians.

By William DeLong • Jul 16, 2018

ABSCAM, Mel Weinberg, And The Real Story Behind ‘American Hustle’

How the daring 1970s FBI sting known as ABSCAM employed con man Mel Weinberg to take down corrupt politicians.

By William DeLong • July 16, 2018

How A Small Texas Town Paid A Conman A Ton Of Money To Build “The World’s Littlest Skyscraper”

J.D. McMahon promised Wichita Falls a skyscraper befitting the prospering boom town. Unknown to townspeople, the con man drew up blueprints for a building 480 inches tall, instead of the 480 feet he promised.

By Aimee Lamoureux • Jul 15, 2018

How A Small Texas Town Paid A Conman A Ton Of Money To Build “The World’s Littlest Skyscraper”

J.D. McMahon promised Wichita Falls a skyscraper befitting the prospering boom town. Unknown to townspeople, the con man drew up blueprints for a building 480 inches tall, instead of the 480 feet he promised.

By Aimee Lamoureux • July 15, 2018

Giuseppe Zangara Tried To Shoot FDR — But Missed And Killed Another Powerful Politician Instead

Giuseppe Zangara was an unemployed bricklayer unwilling to wait for President-Elect FDR to take office to blame him for his problems.

By William DeLong • Jul 13, 2018

Giuseppe Zangara Tried To Shoot FDR — But Missed And Killed Another Powerful Politician Instead

Giuseppe Zangara was an unemployed bricklayer unwilling to wait for President-Elect FDR to take office to blame him for his problems.

By William DeLong • July 13, 2018

How Claire Phillips Used Her Gentleman’s Club As A Front For A World War II Spy Ring

Claire Phillips was a smalltown girl from Michigan who wound up running a spy ring for the United States in the Japan-occupied Philippines during World War II.

By Aimee Lamoureux • Jul 12, 2018

How Claire Phillips Used Her Gentleman’s Club As A Front For A World War II Spy Ring

Claire Phillips was a smalltown girl from Michigan who wound up running a spy ring for the United States in the Japan-occupied Philippines during World War II.

By Aimee Lamoureux • July 12, 2018