modern history

The Gruesome Death Of Eben Byers, The Early 1900s Golfer Who Drank Radium Until His Jaw Fell Off

Eben Byers began drinking radium-infused water that his doctor prescribed for an arm injury in 1927 — but within three years, his bones were disintegrating.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • Jul 11, 2022

The Gruesome Death Of Eben Byers, The Early 1900s Golfer Who Drank Radium Until His Jaw Fell Off

Eben Byers began drinking radium-infused water that his doctor prescribed for an arm injury in 1927 — but within three years, his bones were disintegrating.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • July 11, 2022

How Sherri Rasmussen’s Murder Went Unsolved For Decades — Until An LAPD Detective Was Convicted

Sherri Rasmussen was found shot to death inside her home on February 24, 1986 in an apparent burglary gone wrong — but the real culprit was actually Stephanie Lazarus of the LAPD.

By Jessica O'Connor • Jul 10, 2022

How Sherri Rasmussen’s Murder Went Unsolved For Decades — Until An LAPD Detective Was Convicted

Sherri Rasmussen was found shot to death inside her home on February 24, 1986 in an apparent burglary gone wrong — but the real culprit was actually Stephanie Lazarus of the LAPD.

By Jessica O'Connor • July 10, 2022

Why The Cartoonish Yet Deadly Punt Gun Was Banned After Just A Few Decades

The 12-foot, 200-pound punt gun could kill up to 100 ducks at a time — nearly annihilating America's waterfowl population by the 1860s.

By Katie Serena • Jul 8, 2022

Why The Cartoonish Yet Deadly Punt Gun Was Banned After Just A Few Decades

The 12-foot, 200-pound punt gun could kill up to 100 ducks at a time — nearly annihilating America's waterfowl population by the 1860s.

By Katie Serena • July 8, 2022

How Pamela Smart Conspired With Her Teen Lover To Kill Her Husband

In 1990, Pamela Smart's 16-year-old lover Billy Flynn killed her husband Gregory Smart. And after a highly-publicized trial, Pamela was sentenced to life in prison as an accomplice.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jul 8, 2022

How Pamela Smart Conspired With Her Teen Lover To Kill Her Husband

In 1990, Pamela Smart's 16-year-old lover Billy Flynn killed her husband Gregory Smart. And after a highly-publicized trial, Pamela was sentenced to life in prison as an accomplice.

By Kaleena Fraga • July 8, 2022

This Week In History News, Jul. 3 – 9

Human bone jewelry uncovered in Russia, pipe tomahawk returned to the Ponca tribe, giant prehistoric kangaroo found in Papua New Guinea.

By All That's Interesting • Jul 8, 2022

This Week In History News, Jul. 3 – 9

Human bone jewelry uncovered in Russia, pipe tomahawk returned to the Ponca tribe, giant prehistoric kangaroo found in Papua New Guinea.

By All That's Interesting • July 8, 2022

What Was MK-Ultra, The CIA’s Top-Secret Cold War Research Program?

During the 1950s and '60s, the CIA used brainwashing, hypnosis, and torture on thousands of subjects brutalized by the infamous Project MK-Ultra experiments.

By Katie Serena • Jul 8, 2022

What Was MK-Ultra, The CIA’s Top-Secret Cold War Research Program?

During the 1950s and '60s, the CIA used brainwashing, hypnosis, and torture on thousands of subjects brutalized by the infamous Project MK-Ultra experiments.

By Katie Serena • July 8, 2022

Who Invented The Telegraph? Inside The Birth Of The Revolutionary Device That Changed Communication Forever

Samuel Morse first got the idea to invent the electric telegraph in 1832, and by the time he died 40 years later, it was possible to send a message from America to Europe within minutes.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jul 7, 2022

Who Invented The Telegraph? Inside The Birth Of The Revolutionary Device That Changed Communication Forever

Samuel Morse first got the idea to invent the electric telegraph in 1832, and by the time he died 40 years later, it was possible to send a message from America to Europe within minutes.

By Marco Margaritoff • July 7, 2022

Meet Vernon Presley, Elvis Presley’s Father And The Man Who Inspired Him To Become A Rock Star

A doting father who encouraged his son to do whatever he wanted with his life, Vernon Presley was right by Elvis’ side all the way up until the King’s untimely death at just 42.

By William DeLong • Jul 7, 2022

Meet Vernon Presley, Elvis Presley’s Father And The Man Who Inspired Him To Become A Rock Star

A doting father who encouraged his son to do whatever he wanted with his life, Vernon Presley was right by Elvis’ side all the way up until the King’s untimely death at just 42.

By William DeLong • July 7, 2022

The True Story Of Phan Thi Kim Phúc, The ‘Napalm Girl’

The photo of "Napalm Girl'' depicting nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phúc running from a South Vietnamese airstrike shocked the world in 1972. But there's a lot more to her story.

By Richard Stockton • Jul 6, 2022

The True Story Of Phan Thi Kim Phúc, The ‘Napalm Girl’

The photo of "Napalm Girl'' depicting nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phúc running from a South Vietnamese airstrike shocked the world in 1972. But there's a lot more to her story.

By Richard Stockton • July 6, 2022

Meet Ida B. Wells-Barnett, The Fearless Black Activist Who Exposed Racism And Fought For Women’s Suffrage

Despite being born into slavery and orphaned at 16, Ida B. Wells became a renowned journalist, an anti-lynching advocate, and a founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

By Abby Norman • Jul 6, 2022

Meet Ida B. Wells-Barnett, The Fearless Black Activist Who Exposed Racism And Fought For Women’s Suffrage

Despite being born into slavery and orphaned at 16, Ida B. Wells became a renowned journalist, an anti-lynching advocate, and a founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

By Abby Norman • July 6, 2022