history

The True Story Behind Leap Year Proves We’re Just Making Up Time As We Go Along

We take our calendar for granted. We generally act as if it’s fixed, infallible, one with the Sun — a true guide to what time it is. Then, every four years, February 29 comes around to remind us that not only is the calendar simply a fallible human invention, but...

By John Kuroski • Feb 29, 2016

The True Story Behind Leap Year Proves We’re Just Making Up Time As We Go Along

We take our calendar for granted. We generally act as if it’s fixed, infallible, one with the Sun — a true guide to what time it is. Then, every four years, February 29 comes around to remind us that not only is the calendar simply a fallible human invention, but...

By John Kuroski • February 29, 2016

The Original Ronald McDonald Is Unrecognizable — And Terrifying

The original Ronald McDonald looked nothing like he does today. Here's the strange tale of America's most famous obesity-themed clown.

By Nickolaus Hines • Feb 28, 2016

The Original Ronald McDonald Is Unrecognizable — And Terrifying

The original Ronald McDonald looked nothing like he does today. Here's the strange tale of America's most famous obesity-themed clown.

By Nickolaus Hines • February 28, 2016

25 Bizarre But Beautiful Communist-Era Posters For Oscar-Worthy Hollywood Movies

The stark, often surreal portrayals of Hollywood’s most beloved films revealed a startling — and intentional — divide between the East and West.

By All That's Interesting • Feb 27, 2016

25 Bizarre But Beautiful Communist-Era Posters For Oscar-Worthy Hollywood Movies

The stark, often surreal portrayals of Hollywood’s most beloved films revealed a startling — and intentional — divide between the East and West.

By All That's Interesting • February 27, 2016

7 Reasons You Support The Communist Manifesto Without Even Knowing It

The word "communist" is often tossed about as an insult, so you might be surprised to learn how much of the Communist Manifesto you actually agree with.

By Callie Stewart • Feb 26, 2016

7 Reasons You Support The Communist Manifesto Without Even Knowing It

The word "communist" is often tossed about as an insult, so you might be surprised to learn how much of the Communist Manifesto you actually agree with.

By Callie Stewart • February 26, 2016

Did Nazi Research Actually Contribute Anything Valuable To Medical Science?

It goes without saying that Nazi research into medical science was brutal and inhumane, but did they also discover anything useful or beneficial?

By Richard Stockton • Feb 25, 2016

Did Nazi Research Actually Contribute Anything Valuable To Medical Science?

It goes without saying that Nazi research into medical science was brutal and inhumane, but did they also discover anything useful or beneficial?

By Richard Stockton • February 25, 2016

Vomiting, Exorcism, And Drilling Holes In The Skull: Historical “Cures” For Mental Illness

We've still got a long way to go in helping the mentally ill, but this look at bizarre historical cures for mental illness show just how far we've come.

By All That's Interesting • Feb 24, 2016

Vomiting, Exorcism, And Drilling Holes In The Skull: Historical “Cures” For Mental Illness

We've still got a long way to go in helping the mentally ill, but this look at bizarre historical cures for mental illness show just how far we've come.

By All That's Interesting • February 24, 2016

Leonid Rogozov, The Soviet Doctor Who Performed Emergency Surgery On Himself

When Russian explorer Leonid Rogozov needed an appendectomy in the middle of Antarctica, he was the only doctor on site. So he did it himself.

By Nickolaus Hines • Feb 23, 2016

Leonid Rogozov, The Soviet Doctor Who Performed Emergency Surgery On Himself

When Russian explorer Leonid Rogozov needed an appendectomy in the middle of Antarctica, he was the only doctor on site. So he did it himself.

By Nickolaus Hines • February 23, 2016

The Story Of P.B.S. Pinchback, America’s First African-American Governor

Hear the incredible, improbable, and sadly forgotten story of P.B.S. Pinchback, the governor of Louisiana just after the Civil War.

By All That's Interesting • Feb 22, 2016

The Story Of P.B.S. Pinchback, America’s First African-American Governor

Hear the incredible, improbable, and sadly forgotten story of P.B.S. Pinchback, the governor of Louisiana just after the Civil War.

By All That's Interesting • February 22, 2016

Why We Fell For The 800-Year-Old Cell Phone Hoax — And Why We’ll Keep Falling

Last December, the Internet was abuzz with a story claiming that archaeologists in Austria had unearthed what looked like an 800-year-old cell phone with cuneiform script on its “buttons.” As you’d guess, amateur conspiracy theorists from around the web — not to mention a bevy of at least moderately respectable...

By All That's Interesting • Feb 18, 2016

Why We Fell For The 800-Year-Old Cell Phone Hoax — And Why We’ll Keep Falling

Last December, the Internet was abuzz with a story claiming that archaeologists in Austria had unearthed what looked like an 800-year-old cell phone with cuneiform script on its “buttons.” As you’d guess, amateur conspiracy theorists from around the web — not to mention a bevy of at least moderately respectable...

By All That's Interesting • February 18, 2016

Photo Of The Day: The True Story Behind That Picture Of Teddy Roosevelt Riding A Moose

Here's the unexpected tale of exactly how and why future U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt ended up riding that moose through a lake.

By Nickolaus Hines • Feb 17, 2016

Photo Of The Day: The True Story Behind That Picture Of Teddy Roosevelt Riding A Moose

Here's the unexpected tale of exactly how and why future U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt ended up riding that moose through a lake.

By Nickolaus Hines • February 17, 2016