culture

Half Of Japan’s Samurai In The Edo Period Were Actually Women, According To A New Exhibition At The British Museum

By the early 17th century, as an extended era of peace dawned across Japan, female samurai served as everything from patrons of the arts and scientists to painters and firefighters.

By Cara Johnson • Feb 10, 2026

News

Half Of Japan’s Samurai In The Edo Period Were Actually Women, According To A New Exhibition At The British Museum

By the early 17th century, as an extended era of peace dawned across Japan, female samurai served as everything from patrons of the arts and scientists to painters and firefighters.

By Cara Johnson • February 10, 2026

All About Shirako, The Japanese Fish Sperm Delicacy That Tastes Like ‘Sea Air’

Made from the sperm sacs of male fish, shirako is a Japanese delicacy that can be consumed raw, fried in tempura batter, rolled into sushi, and more.

By Katie Serena • Feb 6, 2026

All About Shirako, The Japanese Fish Sperm Delicacy That Tastes Like ‘Sea Air’

Made from the sperm sacs of male fish, shirako is a Japanese delicacy that can be consumed raw, fried in tempura batter, rolled into sushi, and more.

By Katie Serena • February 6, 2026

The Story Of The Famous Photo ‘The Soiling Of Old Glory’ And Boston’s Civil Rights Struggle Over Busing

On April 5, 1976, newspaper photographer Stanley Forman captured a shocking photo of a white demonstrator attacking a Black man with an American flag during an anti-busing protest in Boston — and it was soon clear that the image symbolized something much larger than the busing crisis.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 5, 2026

The Story Of The Famous Photo ‘The Soiling Of Old Glory’ And Boston’s Civil Rights Struggle Over Busing

On April 5, 1976, newspaper photographer Stanley Forman captured a shocking photo of a white demonstrator attacking a Black man with an American flag during an anti-busing protest in Boston — and it was soon clear that the image symbolized something much larger than the busing crisis.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 5, 2026

Jack Kerouac’s First Draft Of ‘On The Road,’ A 121-Foot Scroll He Typed In Three Weeks In 1951, Is About To Be Sold At Auction

Expected to fetch as much as $4 million, this original manuscript pauses for neither paragraph breaks nor chapter titles, instead presenting its epic tale of Beat Generation misadventures in one unbroken stream.

By Cara Johnson • Feb 5, 2026

News

Jack Kerouac’s First Draft Of ‘On The Road,’ A 121-Foot Scroll He Typed In Three Weeks In 1951, Is About To Be Sold At Auction

Expected to fetch as much as $4 million, this original manuscript pauses for neither paragraph breaks nor chapter titles, instead presenting its epic tale of Beat Generation misadventures in one unbroken stream.

By Cara Johnson • February 5, 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 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

1,400-Year-Old Tomb Built By Mexico’s ‘Cloud People’ Found Complete With Murals And Eerie Carvings

Located in San Pablo Huitzo in central Oaxaca, this astonishing find features friezes, carvings of faces believed to represent the deceased's ancestors, and stone figures wearing headdresses which are thought to serve as the guardians of the tomb.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 29, 2026

News

1,400-Year-Old Tomb Built By Mexico’s ‘Cloud People’ Found Complete With Murals And Eerie Carvings

Located in San Pablo Huitzo in central Oaxaca, this astonishing find features friezes, carvings of faces believed to represent the deceased's ancestors, and stone figures wearing headdresses which are thought to serve as the guardians of the tomb.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 29, 2026

The Tumultuous Life And Tragic Death Of Dennis Wilson, The Fast-Living Beach Boys Drummer

Three days after Dennis Wilson checked out of rehab in December 1983, he drowned off the coast of California's Marina del Rey at the age of just 39.

By Hannah Reilly Holtz • Jan 24, 2026

The Tumultuous Life And Tragic Death Of Dennis Wilson, The Fast-Living Beach Boys Drummer

Three days after Dennis Wilson checked out of rehab in December 1983, he drowned off the coast of California's Marina del Rey at the age of just 39.

By Hannah Reilly Holtz • January 24, 2026