modern history

The Shocking Story That Inspired Pain & Gain, From A Ninja-Inspired Kidnapping Plot To A Fatal Injection Of Horse Tranquilizer

The Michael Bay movie Pain & Gain opens with the line: "Unfortunately, this is a true story." But the film took some notable creative liberties.

By Rivy Lyon • Dec 21, 2024

The Shocking Story That Inspired Pain & Gain, From A Ninja-Inspired Kidnapping Plot To A Fatal Injection Of Horse Tranquilizer

The Michael Bay movie Pain & Gain opens with the line: "Unfortunately, this is a true story." But the film took some notable creative liberties.

By Rivy Lyon • December 21, 2024

The History Of The New York Mafia’s Five Families, From Their Formation In 1931 To Where They Stand Today

The Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Colombo, and Bonanno crime organizations make up the Five Families of New York City's Italian-American Mafia, and though their power peaked in the mid-20th century, their blood-soaked saga continues to this day.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 20, 2024

The History Of The New York Mafia’s Five Families, From Their Formation In 1931 To Where They Stand Today

The Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Colombo, and Bonanno crime organizations make up the Five Families of New York City's Italian-American Mafia, and though their power peaked in the mid-20th century, their blood-soaked saga continues to this day.

By Austin Harvey • December 20, 2024

The Incredible History Of The Concorde, The Jet That Could Fly From London To New York In Three Hours

Capable of flying 1,350 miles per hour at 60,000 feet, the Concorde was a supersonic marvel — so why was it discontinued?

By Kaleena Fraga • Dec 18, 2024

The Incredible History Of The Concorde, The Jet That Could Fly From London To New York In Three Hours

Capable of flying 1,350 miles per hour at 60,000 feet, the Concorde was a supersonic marvel — so why was it discontinued?

By Kaleena Fraga • December 18, 2024

This Pocket Watch Rescued From A Titanic Victim Has A Backstory Worthy Of Jack And Rose

This timepiece recovered from a victim's body just fetched an enormous price at auction.

By Caroline Redmond • Dec 18, 2024

News

This Pocket Watch Rescued From A Titanic Victim Has A Backstory Worthy Of Jack And Rose

This timepiece recovered from a victim's body just fetched an enormous price at auction.

By Caroline Redmond • December 18, 2024

What Happened To Frank Morris? Inside The True Fate Of The Inmate Who Escaped From Alcatraz In 1962

Frank Morris was a career criminal who became one of only three people to ever successfully break out of Alcatraz on June 11, 1962 — but he may have drowned in the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay before he made it to freedom.

By Rivy Lyon • Dec 17, 2024

What Happened To Frank Morris? Inside The True Fate Of The Inmate Who Escaped From Alcatraz In 1962

Frank Morris was a career criminal who became one of only three people to ever successfully break out of Alcatraz on June 11, 1962 — but he may have drowned in the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay before he made it to freedom.

By Rivy Lyon • December 17, 2024

Over 150 Years Later, This Is Still The Tallest Couple In History

On the southern leg of the P.T. Barnum's tour, Anna Haining Swan would meet Martin Van Buren Bates. Soon after, they would enter the record books as the world's tallest couple.

By Katie Serena • Dec 17, 2024

Over 150 Years Later, This Is Still The Tallest Couple In History

On the southern leg of the P.T. Barnum's tour, Anna Haining Swan would meet Martin Van Buren Bates. Soon after, they would enter the record books as the world's tallest couple.

By Katie Serena • December 17, 2024

Lloyd Avery II, The ‘Boyz n the Hood’ Actor Who Became A Real-Life Killer

After famously playing the character who shot Ricky Baker in the 1991 film "Boyz n the Hood," Lloyd Avery II was found guilty of killing two people over a drug debt in 1999.

By Amber Morgan • Dec 16, 2024

Lloyd Avery II, The ‘Boyz n the Hood’ Actor Who Became A Real-Life Killer

After famously playing the character who shot Ricky Baker in the 1991 film "Boyz n the Hood," Lloyd Avery II was found guilty of killing two people over a drug debt in 1999.

By Amber Morgan • December 16, 2024

The Blood-Soaked Story Of Thomas Pitera, The Bonanno Family Mobster Known As ‘Tommy Karate’

Martial arts master Thomas Pitera was a deadly Mafia hitman who killed — and dismembered — up to 60 victims throughout the 1970s and '80s.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 16, 2024

The Blood-Soaked Story Of Thomas Pitera, The Bonanno Family Mobster Known As ‘Tommy Karate’

Martial arts master Thomas Pitera was a deadly Mafia hitman who killed — and dismembered — up to 60 victims throughout the 1970s and '80s.

By Austin Harvey • December 16, 2024

Who Is Jane Hawking, The Woman Who Was Married To Stephen Hawking For 30 Years?

For 30 years, Jane Hawking was Stephen Hawking's wife and devoted caregiver — until he left her for one of his nurses.

By Genevieve Carlton • Dec 16, 2024

Who Is Jane Hawking, The Woman Who Was Married To Stephen Hawking For 30 Years?

For 30 years, Jane Hawking was Stephen Hawking's wife and devoted caregiver — until he left her for one of his nurses.

By Genevieve Carlton • December 16, 2024

How Marco Siffredi Vanished Without A Trace While Snowboarding Down Mount Everest

Marco Siffredi was a French snowboarder and mountaineer who had climbed Mount Everest before. But his determination to find the "Holy Grail" of routes proved to be his undoing.

By Katie Serena • Dec 15, 2024

How Marco Siffredi Vanished Without A Trace While Snowboarding Down Mount Everest

Marco Siffredi was a French snowboarder and mountaineer who had climbed Mount Everest before. But his determination to find the "Holy Grail" of routes proved to be his undoing.

By Katie Serena • December 15, 2024