american history

The 1980s Arcade Game Polybius Was Said To Cause Hallucinations In Players — But Did It Ever Exist?

Although rumors about Polybius and the strange effects the video game had on players have spread for decades, nobody has ever found an arcade machine or any other evidence that the game is real.

By Rivy Lyon • Mar 29, 2026

The 1980s Arcade Game Polybius Was Said To Cause Hallucinations In Players — But Did It Ever Exist?

Although rumors about Polybius and the strange effects the video game had on players have spread for decades, nobody has ever found an arcade machine or any other evidence that the game is real.

By Rivy Lyon • March 29, 2026

R. Budd Dwyer: The Politician Who Killed Himself On Television In 1987

In 1986, Pennsylvania state treasurer Robert Budd Dwyer was convicted of bribery charges — then he shot himself in front of television cameras a few months later.

By John Kuroski • Mar 28, 2026

R. Budd Dwyer: The Politician Who Killed Himself On Television In 1987

In 1986, Pennsylvania state treasurer Robert Budd Dwyer was convicted of bribery charges — then he shot himself in front of television cameras a few months later.

By John Kuroski • March 28, 2026

Abandoned, Abused, And Exploited: Inside The Tragic Life Of The Genie Wiley

"Feral Child" Genie Wiley was strapped to a chair by her parents and neglected for 13 years before she was finally rescued — then she was experimented upon by researchers studying human development.

By Andrew Milne • Mar 28, 2026

Abandoned, Abused, And Exploited: Inside The Tragic Life Of The Genie Wiley

"Feral Child" Genie Wiley was strapped to a chair by her parents and neglected for 13 years before she was finally rescued — then she was experimented upon by researchers studying human development.

By Andrew Milne • March 28, 2026

Kenneth Trentadue, The Prison Inmate Whose 1995 Death Was Controversially Ruled A Suicide

Although prison officials insisted that Kenneth Trentadue had hanged himself, he had injuries inconsistent with suicide — and his family believes he was beaten to death by guards after being mistaken for an Oklahoma City bombing suspect.

By Rivy Lyon • Mar 27, 2026

Kenneth Trentadue, The Prison Inmate Whose 1995 Death Was Controversially Ruled A Suicide

Although prison officials insisted that Kenneth Trentadue had hanged himself, he had injuries inconsistent with suicide — and his family believes he was beaten to death by guards after being mistaken for an Oklahoma City bombing suspect.

By Rivy Lyon • March 27, 2026

How Did Chris Farley Die? The Story Of The Doomed Comedian’s Final Days

Chris Farley's death in December 1997 was caused by a "speedball" mix of cocaine and morphine — but his friends think there's more to his tragic story.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Mar 27, 2026

How Did Chris Farley Die? The Story Of The Doomed Comedian’s Final Days

Chris Farley's death in December 1997 was caused by a "speedball" mix of cocaine and morphine — but his friends think there's more to his tragic story.

By Jaclyn Anglis • March 27, 2026

Inside The Death Of Frank Sinatra, From His Heartbreaking Final Words To The Contentious Aftermath

After legendary singer Frank Sinatra died of a heart attack on May 14, 1998, his tragic demise forced an ugly family feud into the spotlight.

By Kristen Winiarski • Mar 27, 2026

Inside The Death Of Frank Sinatra, From His Heartbreaking Final Words To The Contentious Aftermath

After legendary singer Frank Sinatra died of a heart attack on May 14, 1998, his tragic demise forced an ugly family feud into the spotlight.

By Kristen Winiarski • March 27, 2026

Fred Noonan, The Navigator Who Vanished Alongside Amelia Earhart

Fred Noonan was flying with Amelia Earhart when they vanished over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 — and some think that their disappearance was his fault.

By Genevieve Carlton • Mar 25, 2026

Fred Noonan, The Navigator Who Vanished Alongside Amelia Earhart

Fred Noonan was flying with Amelia Earhart when they vanished over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 — and some think that their disappearance was his fault.

By Genevieve Carlton • March 25, 2026

The Strange Tale Of Elmer McCurdy, The Train Robber Whose Corpse Became A Funhouse Attraction

Elmer McCurdy may have been a failure as an outlaw, but he found success after his death when his body traveled across the United States as a sideshow attraction for 65 years.

By Maggie Donahue • Mar 25, 2026

The Strange Tale Of Elmer McCurdy, The Train Robber Whose Corpse Became A Funhouse Attraction

Elmer McCurdy may have been a failure as an outlaw, but he found success after his death when his body traveled across the United States as a sideshow attraction for 65 years.

By Maggie Donahue • March 25, 2026

Meet Amado Carrillo Fuentes, The Powerful Mexican Drug Trafficker Who Became The ‘Lord Of The Skies’

After amassing a multibillion-dollar empire as the head of the Juárez Cartel, Amado Carrillo Fuentes died during a botched plastic surgery in July 1997.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 25, 2026

Meet Amado Carrillo Fuentes, The Powerful Mexican Drug Trafficker Who Became The ‘Lord Of The Skies’

After amassing a multibillion-dollar empire as the head of the Juárez Cartel, Amado Carrillo Fuentes died during a botched plastic surgery in July 1997.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 25, 2026

How Sable Starr Became The Groupie Queen Of 1970s Los Angeles — Then Discovered The Dark Side Of Rock ‘N’ Roll

While still underage, "baby groupie" Sable Starr claimed to have slept with countless rock stars while controlling the social scene on Hollywood's Sunset Strip, but an abusive relationship with one rocker nearly destroyed her life.

By Wyatt Redd • Mar 25, 2026

How Sable Starr Became The Groupie Queen Of 1970s Los Angeles — Then Discovered The Dark Side Of Rock ‘N’ Roll

While still underage, "baby groupie" Sable Starr claimed to have slept with countless rock stars while controlling the social scene on Hollywood's Sunset Strip, but an abusive relationship with one rocker nearly destroyed her life.

By Wyatt Redd • March 25, 2026