american history

The Unlikely Story Of Sarah Rector, The Oklahoma Teenager Who Became A Millionaire Oil Baron

By the time she turned 18, Sarah Rector's net worth was estimated at over $1 million — about $28 million today. And it all came from undesirable land that the federal government gave her.

By Gina Dimuro • Feb 5, 2026

The Unlikely Story Of Sarah Rector, The Oklahoma Teenager Who Became A Millionaire Oil Baron

By the time she turned 18, Sarah Rector's net worth was estimated at over $1 million — about $28 million today. And it all came from undesirable land that the federal government gave her.

By Gina Dimuro • February 5, 2026

‘Dewey Defeats Truman’: The True Story Behind One Of American History’s Most Iconic Images

The editors of the Chicago Daily Tribune were so sure that New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey was going to win the presidential election of 1948 that they sent the November 3rd issue to print with the headline "Dewey Defeats Truman" — and then Harry S. Truman emerged victorious.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 4, 2026

‘Dewey Defeats Truman’: The True Story Behind One Of American History’s Most Iconic Images

The editors of the Chicago Daily Tribune were so sure that New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey was going to win the presidential election of 1948 that they sent the November 3rd issue to print with the headline "Dewey Defeats Truman" — and then Harry S. Truman emerged victorious.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 4, 2026

Meet Rachel Knight, The Enslaved Woman Who Helped Found The Free State Of Jones

During the Civil War, Rachel Knight joined forces with a white Southern Unionist named Newton Knight — and helped him wage a guerrilla campaign against Confederates in Mississippi.

By Jessica O'Connor • Feb 4, 2026

Meet Rachel Knight, The Enslaved Woman Who Helped Found The Free State Of Jones

During the Civil War, Rachel Knight joined forces with a white Southern Unionist named Newton Knight — and helped him wage a guerrilla campaign against Confederates in Mississippi.

By Jessica O'Connor • February 4, 2026

Claudine Longet Killed A Beloved Olympian ‘By Accident’ — And Spent Only 30 Days In Jail For It

A successful actress and singer, Claudine Longet became infamous after she shot skier Spider Sabich to death inside their Aspen, Colorado home on March 21, 1976.

By Marco Margaritoff • Feb 3, 2026

Claudine Longet Killed A Beloved Olympian ‘By Accident’ — And Spent Only 30 Days In Jail For It

A successful actress and singer, Claudine Longet became infamous after she shot skier Spider Sabich to death inside their Aspen, Colorado home on March 21, 1976.

By Marco Margaritoff • February 3, 2026

Bob Ross’ Death: How The Final Days Of The Happy Painter Led To A Bitter Feud Over His Estate

Bob Ross was 52 years old when he died from lymphoma in Orlando, Florida. His company was worth $15 million — and his former business partners wanted it all.

By Tim Brinkhof • Feb 3, 2026

Bob Ross’ Death: How The Final Days Of The Happy Painter Led To A Bitter Feud Over His Estate

Bob Ross was 52 years old when he died from lymphoma in Orlando, Florida. His company was worth $15 million — and his former business partners wanted it all.

By Tim Brinkhof • February 3, 2026

Why Being Pressed To Death Was One Of The Grisliest Execution Methods In History

For thousands of years, accused criminals were subjected to being pressed or crushed to death, most famously during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • Feb 2, 2026

Why Being Pressed To Death Was One Of The Grisliest Execution Methods In History

For thousands of years, accused criminals were subjected to being pressed or crushed to death, most famously during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • February 2, 2026

The Colorful Story Of Maud Wagner, America’s First Female Tattoo Artist

An aerialist in the circus at the turn of the 20th century, Maud Wagner broke barriers by both giving and receiving hundreds of tattoos.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 2, 2026

The Colorful Story Of Maud Wagner, America’s First Female Tattoo Artist

An aerialist in the circus at the turn of the 20th century, Maud Wagner broke barriers by both giving and receiving hundreds of tattoos.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 2, 2026

The Astonishing Story Of Camp Century, The U.S. Military Base In Greenland That Was A Cover For A Nuclear Project

Built into an ice sheet in Greenland in 1959, Camp Century was described as a scientific research facility, but it was actually constructed as part of the top-secret Project Iceworm to test whether it was feasible to hide nuclear weapons under the ice.

By William DeLong • Feb 1, 2026

The Astonishing Story Of Camp Century, The U.S. Military Base In Greenland That Was A Cover For A Nuclear Project

Built into an ice sheet in Greenland in 1959, Camp Century was described as a scientific research facility, but it was actually constructed as part of the top-secret Project Iceworm to test whether it was feasible to hide nuclear weapons under the ice.

By William DeLong • February 1, 2026

The Story Of Scott Amedure, The Gay Man Who Was Murdered Because Of His Appearance On ‘The Jenny Jones Show’

When Scott Amedure confessed his crush on his straight friend Jonathan Schmitz while appearing on the daytime talk show, a stunned Schmitz seemed to laugh it off — but three days later, he shot Amedure dead.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • Feb 1, 2026

The Story Of Scott Amedure, The Gay Man Who Was Murdered Because Of His Appearance On ‘The Jenny Jones Show’

When Scott Amedure confessed his crush on his straight friend Jonathan Schmitz while appearing on the daytime talk show, a stunned Schmitz seemed to laugh it off — but three days later, he shot Amedure dead.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • February 1, 2026

Meet A Member Of The Actual Manson Family: Valentine Michael Manson

As the son of America's most infamous cult leader, growing up wasn't easy. Fortunately, Valentine Michael Manson became his own man and assumed a new identity as Michael Brunner.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 31, 2026

Meet A Member Of The Actual Manson Family: Valentine Michael Manson

As the son of America's most infamous cult leader, growing up wasn't easy. Fortunately, Valentine Michael Manson became his own man and assumed a new identity as Michael Brunner.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 31, 2026

The Bizarre True Story Of The Kentucky Meat Shower, When Flesh Fell From The Sky

In March 1876, raw meat rained down on a Kentucky farm, covering an area the size of a football field and sparking debate about what could have caused the grisly phenomenon.

By Katie Serena • Jan 31, 2026

The Bizarre True Story Of The Kentucky Meat Shower, When Flesh Fell From The Sky

In March 1876, raw meat rained down on a Kentucky farm, covering an area the size of a football field and sparking debate about what could have caused the grisly phenomenon.

By Katie Serena • January 31, 2026

The Disturbing Story Of Pennhurst Asylum, The Site Of Horrific Patient Abuse That Is Now A Haunted House At Halloween

Pennhurst State School and Hospital outside Philadelphia operated for almost 80 years, but was shut down in 1987 after its overcrowded condition and abuse of patients came to light.

By Austin Harvey • Jan 31, 2026

The Disturbing Story Of Pennhurst Asylum, The Site Of Horrific Patient Abuse That Is Now A Haunted House At Halloween

Pennhurst State School and Hospital outside Philadelphia operated for almost 80 years, but was shut down in 1987 after its overcrowded condition and abuse of patients came to light.

By Austin Harvey • January 31, 2026