modern history

Teddy Bears, Pet Rocks, And Tickle Me Elmo: Look Through 101 Of The Most Popular Christmas Toys From The Past Century

These toys were at the top of children's Christmas lists between 1923 and 2023 — and some of them even sparked shopping frenzies.

By All That's Interesting • Dec 25, 2024

Teddy Bears, Pet Rocks, And Tickle Me Elmo: Look Through 101 Of The Most Popular Christmas Toys From The Past Century

These toys were at the top of children's Christmas lists between 1923 and 2023 — and some of them even sparked shopping frenzies.

By All That's Interesting • December 25, 2024

66 Colorized Vintage Christmas Photos That Will Make You Feel Merry And Bright

Though gifts were much simpler than modern-day presents, with many children receiving dolls, train sets, and stuffed animals, the joy of Christmas morning was clearer than ever.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 25, 2024

66 Colorized Vintage Christmas Photos That Will Make You Feel Merry And Bright

Though gifts were much simpler than modern-day presents, with many children receiving dolls, train sets, and stuffed animals, the joy of Christmas morning was clearer than ever.

By Austin Harvey • December 25, 2024

How The Terrifying Count Orlok Helped Transform The Modern Vampire Myth

First introduced in the 1922 German silent film Nosferatu, Count Orlok sparked numerous controversies over his similarities to Dracula — and even inspired rumors that the actor who played him was a real vampire.

By Kaleena Fraga • Dec 24, 2024

How The Terrifying Count Orlok Helped Transform The Modern Vampire Myth

First introduced in the 1922 German silent film Nosferatu, Count Orlok sparked numerous controversies over his similarities to Dracula — and even inspired rumors that the actor who played him was a real vampire.

By Kaleena Fraga • December 24, 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 • 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

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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