modern history

The Incredible Life Of Ruth Handler, The Woman Who Invented Barbie

The president of Mattel, Ruth Handler debuted the Barbie doll in 1959 — and later created an innovative prosthetic for breast cancer survivors.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 15, 2024

The Incredible Life Of Ruth Handler, The Woman Who Invented Barbie

The president of Mattel, Ruth Handler debuted the Barbie doll in 1959 — and later created an innovative prosthetic for breast cancer survivors.

By Austin Harvey • December 15, 2024

Wanda Holloway, The ‘Pom Pom Mom’ Who Hired A Hitman To Kill The Mother Of Her Daughter’s Cheerleading Rival

Outraged that her daughter Shanna hadn't made the cheerleading team two years in a row, Texas mom Wanda Holloway hired a hitman in 1991 to try and kill the mother of Shanna's rival — in the hopes of making room for Shanna on the team.

By Amber Morgan • Dec 15, 2024

Wanda Holloway, The ‘Pom Pom Mom’ Who Hired A Hitman To Kill The Mother Of Her Daughter’s Cheerleading Rival

Outraged that her daughter Shanna hadn't made the cheerleading team two years in a row, Texas mom Wanda Holloway hired a hitman in 1991 to try and kill the mother of Shanna's rival — in the hopes of making room for Shanna on the team.

By Amber Morgan • December 15, 2024

The Sad Story Of Keith Papini, The Ex-Husband Of Kidnapping Hoaxer Sherri Papini

When Sherri Papini vanished from her Redding, California neighborhood in November 2016, Keith Papini led the search to find his wife — but even though she later returned and claimed to have been kidnapped, it was all a lie.

By Amber Morgan • Dec 14, 2024

The Sad Story Of Keith Papini, The Ex-Husband Of Kidnapping Hoaxer Sherri Papini

When Sherri Papini vanished from her Redding, California neighborhood in November 2016, Keith Papini led the search to find his wife — but even though she later returned and claimed to have been kidnapped, it was all a lie.

By Amber Morgan • December 14, 2024

J. Paul Getty, The Miserly Billionaire Who Did His Own Laundry — And Initially Refused To Pay His Kidnapped Grandson’s Ransom

Once the richest man in the world, oil tycoon J. Paul Getty was so frugal that he wouldn't pay his 16-year-old grandson's ransom — until his kidnappers cut off his ear and sent it to the family.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 13, 2024

J. Paul Getty, The Miserly Billionaire Who Did His Own Laundry — And Initially Refused To Pay His Kidnapped Grandson’s Ransom

Once the richest man in the world, oil tycoon J. Paul Getty was so frugal that he wouldn't pay his 16-year-old grandson's ransom — until his kidnappers cut off his ear and sent it to the family.

By Austin Harvey • December 13, 2024

The Controversial Story Of ‘Mommie Dearest’ Joan Crawford And The Abuse She Allegedly Inflicted On Her Children

Joan Crawford is best known as one of Golden Age Hollywood's biggest stars — but after her death, her adopted daughter claimed that she'd physically and emotionally abused her children for decades.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 12, 2024

The Controversial Story Of ‘Mommie Dearest’ Joan Crawford And The Abuse She Allegedly Inflicted On Her Children

Joan Crawford is best known as one of Golden Age Hollywood's biggest stars — but after her death, her adopted daughter claimed that she'd physically and emotionally abused her children for decades.

By Austin Harvey • December 12, 2024

The Little-Known Story Of Victoria DiGiorgio Gotti, The Devoted Wife Of Mafia Boss John Gotti

Victoria DiGiorgio Gotti stood by her infamous husband's side throughout his bloody rise to the top of the Gambino crime family, raising their five children while he spent years at a time behind bars.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 12, 2024

The Little-Known Story Of Victoria DiGiorgio Gotti, The Devoted Wife Of Mafia Boss John Gotti

Victoria DiGiorgio Gotti stood by her infamous husband's side throughout his bloody rise to the top of the Gambino crime family, raising their five children while he spent years at a time behind bars.

By Austin Harvey • December 12, 2024

Astonishing Stories And Photos From The Worst Blizzards In History

From 50-foot snow drifts to 150-mph winds, step inside some of the biggest snow storms in modern history, including the Great Blizzard of 1888 and the 1993 Storm of the Century.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 11, 2024

Astonishing Stories And Photos From The Worst Blizzards In History

From 50-foot snow drifts to 150-mph winds, step inside some of the biggest snow storms in modern history, including the Great Blizzard of 1888 and the 1993 Storm of the Century.

By Austin Harvey • December 11, 2024

Third Man Syndrome: The Curious Phenomenon In Which People In Danger Feel An Unseen Guiding ‘Presence’

Throughout history, people facing extreme peril have reported feeling an invisible presence that helped lead them to safety, a phenomenon known as third man syndrome.

By Kaleena Fraga • Dec 10, 2024

Third Man Syndrome: The Curious Phenomenon In Which People In Danger Feel An Unseen Guiding ‘Presence’

Throughout history, people facing extreme peril have reported feeling an invisible presence that helped lead them to safety, a phenomenon known as third man syndrome.

By Kaleena Fraga • December 10, 2024

Ruby Slippers Worn By Judy Garland In ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ Sell At Auction For $28 Million

This astonishing sale, in which the shoes' price exceeded estimates by $25 million, came 19 years after the slippers were stolen from Minnesota's Judy Garland Museum.

By Amber Morgan • Dec 10, 2024

News

Ruby Slippers Worn By Judy Garland In ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ Sell At Auction For $28 Million

This astonishing sale, in which the shoes' price exceeded estimates by $25 million, came 19 years after the slippers were stolen from Minnesota's Judy Garland Museum.

By Amber Morgan • December 10, 2024

44 Haunting Images Of Abandoned Department Stores Across America And Beyond

From decaying escalators to empty shopping carts, these abandoned department stores are sure to send a chill down your spine.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 9, 2024

44 Haunting Images Of Abandoned Department Stores Across America And Beyond

From decaying escalators to empty shopping carts, these abandoned department stores are sure to send a chill down your spine.

By Austin Harvey • December 9, 2024