A screaming mob pressed in closer to watch as the guillotine dropped on King Louis' neck. With one swift slice, France's monarchy came to an end. But was a police state ruled by a madman a better alternative to a fat and lazy king?
The concept of revenge predates legal history, and one could say that it's part of who we are as humans. The need for vengeance can kick into overdrive, leading to these 10 biggest acts of revenge in human history. See more »
If you haven't been keeping news clippings for your 2008 scrapbook, you might've forgotten what happened earlier this year. That's where HowStuffWorks comes in. Here are 10 headlines from 2008 that'll go down in history. See more »
Empires rise and empires fall -- it's a seemingly unavoidable fact of life on Earth. But these superpowers reigned longer than any others. What can we learn from their missteps and achievements? See more »
The advent of trench warfare and air raids made World War II incredibly bloody. Combatant and civilian casualties amounted to nearly 50 million. See more »
With all the big headlines in 2011 you might've missed some gems, from "Cat Rescues Shelter" to "Planet-sized Diamond Detected." Here are our favorites. See more »
As we look back on 2011, it's clear it was a banner year. Well, maybe not for the housing market, but at least got to watch a Royal wedding and dispell rumors about the McLobster. Now it's time to put your memory to the test. How much do you really remember about 2011? (Image credit: Swinburne Astronomy Productions.) See more »
Reality TV weddings aside, pop culture can do more than just melt your brain. The stuff of 2011's water cooler conversations contained kernels of credibility and nuggets of noteworthiness. What were pop culture's smartest moments this year? See more »
The United States economy crumbles and rebuilds itself with astonishing regularity, falling from periods of economic success into panic. What are five of the worst financial panics in history, and what can they teach us about our current recession? See more »
Although it ended more than a century ago, the scars of the Civil War are still with Americans today. Think you know more than the average Billy Yank or Johnny Reb about the blood and politics behind the war? Find out by taking our Civil War quiz. See more »
Believe it or not, more things happened in 2011 pop culture beyond a royal wedding, a reality wedding and the YouTube song "Friday." Test your knowledge of the notable pops in 2011 culture with this quiz. See more »
