history

The Disturbing Story Of James Jameson, The Whiskey Heir Who Paid To Watch Cannibals Eat A 10-Year-Old Girl

While on an expedition along the Congo River in 1888, James Jameson traded six cloth handkerchiefs for an enslaved girl, handed her over to cannibals, and then sketched the gruesome scene that unfolded in front of him.

By Gabe Paoletti • Feb 8, 2026

The Disturbing Story Of James Jameson, The Whiskey Heir Who Paid To Watch Cannibals Eat A 10-Year-Old Girl

While on an expedition along the Congo River in 1888, James Jameson traded six cloth handkerchiefs for an enslaved girl, handed her over to cannibals, and then sketched the gruesome scene that unfolded in front of him.

By Gabe Paoletti • February 8, 2026

The Terrifying Story Of The Peshtigo Fire, The Deadliest Blaze In U.S. History

The Peshtigo Fire of 1871 killed up to 2,500 people, yet it was largely overshadowed by the more famous Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on the same night.

By John Kuroski • Feb 8, 2026

The Terrifying Story Of The Peshtigo Fire, The Deadliest Blaze In U.S. History

The Peshtigo Fire of 1871 killed up to 2,500 people, yet it was largely overshadowed by the more famous Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on the same night.

By John Kuroski • February 8, 2026

Meet Kathleen Maddox: The Teenaged Runaway Who Gave Birth To Charles Manson

Before there was the Manson Family, there was Kathleen Maddox – Charles Manson's only family.

By Kara Goldfarb • Feb 7, 2026

Meet Kathleen Maddox: The Teenaged Runaway Who Gave Birth To Charles Manson

Before there was the Manson Family, there was Kathleen Maddox – Charles Manson's only family.

By Kara Goldfarb • February 7, 2026

Carmine Galante Had A Mental Age Of 14 — And Was The King Of Heroin

Infamously ruthless, Carmine "Lilo" Galante became best known for masterminding the heroin trade and the grisly gangland execution that ended his reign.

By Joseph Williams • Feb 7, 2026

Carmine Galante Had A Mental Age Of 14 — And Was The King Of Heroin

Infamously ruthless, Carmine "Lilo" Galante became best known for masterminding the heroin trade and the grisly gangland execution that ended his reign.

By Joseph Williams • February 7, 2026

Inside The Astonishing Life Of Angus MacAskill, The Tallest ‘Natural Giant’ To Ever Live

Though many of history's tallest people have suffered from gigantism or other debilitating conditions, that wasn't the case for Angus MacAskill — who stood 7 feet, 9 inches and boasted extraordinary feats of strength.

By Katie Serena • Feb 7, 2026

Inside The Astonishing Life Of Angus MacAskill, The Tallest ‘Natural Giant’ To Ever Live

Though many of history's tallest people have suffered from gigantism or other debilitating conditions, that wasn't the case for Angus MacAskill — who stood 7 feet, 9 inches and boasted extraordinary feats of strength.

By Katie Serena • February 7, 2026

‘I Must Have Fame’: Inside Robert Peary’s Desperate Journey To Be The First Man To Reach The North Pole

It was once almost universally accepted that Robert Peary was the first man to make it to the North Pole in 1909, but a re-examination of his records in the 1980s cast serious doubt on his claim.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 7, 2026

‘I Must Have Fame’: Inside Robert Peary’s Desperate Journey To Be The First Man To Reach The North Pole

It was once almost universally accepted that Robert Peary was the first man to make it to the North Pole in 1909, but a re-examination of his records in the 1980s cast serious doubt on his claim.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 7, 2026

The Story Of C.P. Ellis, The KKK Leader Whose 1971 Meeting With A Black Activist Changed His Life

When C.P. Ellis was tasked with working with Ann Atwater to desegregate Durham, North Carolina schools, he was an "Exalted Cyclops" of the KKK. Ten days later, he was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement.

By Genevieve Carlton • Feb 6, 2026

The Story Of C.P. Ellis, The KKK Leader Whose 1971 Meeting With A Black Activist Changed His Life

When C.P. Ellis was tasked with working with Ann Atwater to desegregate Durham, North Carolina schools, he was an "Exalted Cyclops" of the KKK. Ten days later, he was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement.

By Genevieve Carlton • February 6, 2026

Archaeologists In Spain Believe They’ve Uncovered The First-Ever Remains Of The Elephants That Hannibal Used Against The Romans

While expanding a hospital near the city of Córdoba, diggers found a baseball-sized bone dating back 2,200 years that came from the ankle of an elephant.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 6, 2026

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Archaeologists In Spain Believe They’ve Uncovered The First-Ever Remains Of The Elephants That Hannibal Used Against The Romans

While expanding a hospital near the city of Córdoba, diggers found a baseball-sized bone dating back 2,200 years that came from the ankle of an elephant.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 6, 2026

What Did Charles Manson Do? Inside The Surprisingly Thin Case Against Him

Did Charles Manson kill anyone? No. Who said he ordered any killings? Only the killers themselves. So what did Charles Manson actually do?

By Andrew Lenoir • Feb 6, 2026

What Did Charles Manson Do? Inside The Surprisingly Thin Case Against Him

Did Charles Manson kill anyone? No. Who said he ordered any killings? Only the killers themselves. So what did Charles Manson actually do?

By Andrew Lenoir • February 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 • 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

When “Blowing Smoke Up Your Ass” Was Much More Than Just A Saying

In the 18th and 19th centuries, "blowing smoke up your ass" was an actual medical treatment employed across much of western Europe.

By Krissy Howard • Feb 6, 2026

When “Blowing Smoke Up Your Ass” Was Much More Than Just A Saying

In the 18th and 19th centuries, "blowing smoke up your ass" was an actual medical treatment employed across much of western Europe.

By Krissy Howard • February 6, 2026

Inside The Tragic Soyuz 11 Disaster In Outer Space — And What Really Caused It

The Soyuz 11 space mission was supposed to be the Soviets' big answer to the U.S. Moon landing, but it ended in tragedy when three cosmonauts returned to Earth dead on June 30, 1971.

By John Kuroski • Feb 6, 2026

Inside The Tragic Soyuz 11 Disaster In Outer Space — And What Really Caused It

The Soyuz 11 space mission was supposed to be the Soviets' big answer to the U.S. Moon landing, but it ended in tragedy when three cosmonauts returned to Earth dead on June 30, 1971.

By John Kuroski • February 6, 2026