modern history

The True Story Of Mutsuhiro Watanabe, The Sadistic Japanese Prison Guard From ‘Unbroken’

As a Japanese prison camp guard during World War II, Mutsuhiro Watanabe was notorious for his cruelty toward POWs, including former U.S. Olympian Louis Zamperini.

By Gina Dimuro • Apr 21, 2026

The True Story Of Mutsuhiro Watanabe, The Sadistic Japanese Prison Guard From ‘Unbroken’

As a Japanese prison camp guard during World War II, Mutsuhiro Watanabe was notorious for his cruelty toward POWs, including former U.S. Olympian Louis Zamperini.

By Gina Dimuro • April 21, 2026

Leslie Howard, The ‘Gone With The Wind’ Star Who May Have Been A British Secret Agent

A popular British actor, Leslie Howard died after his plane was shot down by the Nazis in 1943 — and some believe that he was specifically targeted due to his alleged covert activities during World War II.

By Genevieve Carlton • Apr 20, 2026

Leslie Howard, The ‘Gone With The Wind’ Star Who May Have Been A British Secret Agent

A popular British actor, Leslie Howard died after his plane was shot down by the Nazis in 1943 — and some believe that he was specifically targeted due to his alleged covert activities during World War II.

By Genevieve Carlton • April 20, 2026

The Sad Story Behind The Death Of Babe Ruth, The Baseball Legend Who Died At Just 53

Babe Ruth died in 1948 after he'd been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer known as nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

By Genevieve Carlton • Apr 20, 2026

The Sad Story Behind The Death Of Babe Ruth, The Baseball Legend Who Died At Just 53

Babe Ruth died in 1948 after he'd been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer known as nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

By Genevieve Carlton • April 20, 2026

William James Sidis Had An Off-The-Charts IQ — But He Died A Penniless Office Clerk

William James Sidis spoke 25 languages and had an IQ 100 points higher than Albert Einstein's, but the smartest man in the world just wanted to live his life in seclusion.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Apr 20, 2026

William James Sidis Had An Off-The-Charts IQ — But He Died A Penniless Office Clerk

William James Sidis spoke 25 languages and had an IQ 100 points higher than Albert Einstein's, but the smartest man in the world just wanted to live his life in seclusion.

By Jaclyn Anglis • April 20, 2026

47 Dust Bowl Pictures That Illustrate The Devastation Of This Unprecedented Ecological Disaster

These Dust Bowl photos depicting enormous dust storms, destroyed farmland, and desperate migrants paint an evocative picture of one of the worst cataclysms in U.S. history.

By John Kuroski • Apr 20, 2026

47 Dust Bowl Pictures That Illustrate The Devastation Of This Unprecedented Ecological Disaster

These Dust Bowl photos depicting enormous dust storms, destroyed farmland, and desperate migrants paint an evocative picture of one of the worst cataclysms in U.S. history.

By John Kuroski • April 20, 2026

The Story Of Nicole van den Hurk’s Murder — And Her Stepbrother’s False Confession That Led To The Real Killer’s Capture

Sixteen years after Nicole van den Hurk was murdered in the Netherlands in 1995, her stepbrother Andy confessed, but only to get the case reopened.

By Aimee Lamoureux • Apr 19, 2026

The Story Of Nicole van den Hurk’s Murder — And Her Stepbrother’s False Confession That Led To The Real Killer’s Capture

Sixteen years after Nicole van den Hurk was murdered in the Netherlands in 1995, her stepbrother Andy confessed, but only to get the case reopened.

By Aimee Lamoureux • April 19, 2026

Johnny Cash And The Infamous 1968 Performance ‘At Folsom Prison’

Johnny Cash's 'At Folsom Prison' is undoubtedly the most significant prison album ever recorded. Here's how the guy who shot a man in Reno found his way to Folsom.

By Marco Margaritoff • Apr 19, 2026

Johnny Cash And The Infamous 1968 Performance ‘At Folsom Prison’

Johnny Cash's 'At Folsom Prison' is undoubtedly the most significant prison album ever recorded. Here's how the guy who shot a man in Reno found his way to Folsom.

By Marco Margaritoff • April 19, 2026

The Zoot Suit Riots: When White Servicemen Attacked Young Men Of Color Across Los Angeles During World War II

In June 1943, white mobs targeted Mexican-Americans who were wearing the trendy, loose-fitting style known as a "zoot suit."

By Mark Oliver • Apr 19, 2026

The Zoot Suit Riots: When White Servicemen Attacked Young Men Of Color Across Los Angeles During World War II

In June 1943, white mobs targeted Mexican-Americans who were wearing the trendy, loose-fitting style known as a "zoot suit."

By Mark Oliver • April 19, 2026

How Chalino Sánchez Rose To Fame Singing About Cartels — And Was Then Mysteriously Murdered

The night before Mexican singer Chalino Sánchez was found dead, he was performing in Sinaloa when an audience member passed him a note mid-concert that visibly disturbed him.

By Rivy Lyon • Apr 19, 2026

How Chalino Sánchez Rose To Fame Singing About Cartels — And Was Then Mysteriously Murdered

The night before Mexican singer Chalino Sánchez was found dead, he was performing in Sinaloa when an audience member passed him a note mid-concert that visibly disturbed him.

By Rivy Lyon • April 19, 2026

The Harrowing Story Of Qubilah Shabazz, The Second Daughter Of Malcolm X

Qubilah Shabazz was convinced that Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan was responsible for the 1965 assassination of her father, Malcolm X — and in 1995, she was arrested for conspiring to have Farrakhan killed.

By Austin Harvey • Apr 18, 2026

The Harrowing Story Of Qubilah Shabazz, The Second Daughter Of Malcolm X

Qubilah Shabazz was convinced that Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan was responsible for the 1965 assassination of her father, Malcolm X — and in 1995, she was arrested for conspiring to have Farrakhan killed.

By Austin Harvey • April 18, 2026

Who Killed Chandra Levy? Inside The Enduring Mystery Of The D.C. Intern’s Death

Chandra Levy was just 24 years old when she was murdered in Washington, D.C. in May 2001 — and we still don't know who was responsible.

By Kaleena Fraga • Apr 18, 2026

Who Killed Chandra Levy? Inside The Enduring Mystery Of The D.C. Intern’s Death

Chandra Levy was just 24 years old when she was murdered in Washington, D.C. in May 2001 — and we still don't know who was responsible.

By Kaleena Fraga • April 18, 2026

The True Story Of John Douglas, The FBI Agent Who Profiled History’s Most Notorious Serial Killers

From Ted Bundy to John Wayne Gacy, John E. Douglas has interviewed just about every serial killer in recent history. Here's how he learned what made them tick.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Apr 18, 2026

The True Story Of John Douglas, The FBI Agent Who Profiled History’s Most Notorious Serial Killers

From Ted Bundy to John Wayne Gacy, John E. Douglas has interviewed just about every serial killer in recent history. Here's how he learned what made them tick.

By Jaclyn Anglis • April 18, 2026