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Historical Events
From the Age of Enlightenment to the Christmas Truce, learn about some of history's most pivotal events.
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How the Mason-Dixon Line Unwittingly Became the Divider Between the North and the South
The Mason-Dixon Line has ties to slavery, which often overshadows its otherwise fascinating story about one of the most significant surveying achievements in North America.
The Sad, Strange Story of the Heaven's Gate Cult
"Internet cult" Heaven's Gate is seared in the memory of the '90s public for the fact that 39 members committed suicide wearing matching tracksuits and sneakers, as the Hale-Bopp comet approached Earth. But what made them do it?
The Cadaver Synod: When a Dead Pope Was Put on Trial
During one of the most political times in papal history, Pope Formosus' corpse was dug up and put on trial for crimes of the past. Who thought this was a good idea?
The Peace Sign: From No Nukes Logo to Anti-war Symbol
The nuclear disarmament movement in the 1950s needed a logo for a political march. What it got was one of the most ubiquitous and easily recognized symbols of all time.
20 Memorable Moments of the 21st Century So Far
The world has come a long way since we were prepping for Y2K to potentially crash computers and the economy as we know it. We've witnessed some major moments since then. Here are 20 of the biggest.
The War of 1812: The White House Burns and 'The Star-Spangled Banner' Is Born
The War of 1812 ended in a stalemate, which enabled the fledgling United States to escape a devastating defeat and grow into a world power.
The Great London Smog of 1952
A blinding smog enveloped London in 1952, wreaking havoc on the city, bringing life to a standstill and killing thousands.
The Dyatlov Pass Mystery: Were the Hikers Murdered?
In 1959, a group of nine Russian hikers disappeared and were later found dead in circumstances that, to this day, have mystified authorities and armchair sleuths alike.
Handel & Hendrix and Other Famous 'Next-Door Neighbors'
Yep, Jimi Hendrix could have borrowed a cup of sugar from George Frederick Handel — in a manner of speaking.
Quiz: What's This Country's Former Name?
Yugoslavia is no more. Prussia? Vanished from the face of the Earth. From war to political unrest to rebranding, there are all sorts of reasons that leaders rename their nations. Can you pick the former names for these countries?
Including More Stories of Hope in Holocaust Teachings
Is graphically recounting the horrors of the Holocaust the only way to honor the dead and educate the living about this tragedy? One sociologist doesn't think so.
Changing the Guard Is More Than Pomp and Circumstance
While it's technically just a glorified shift change, the British monarchy's Changing the Guard ceremony is steeped in history and tradition.
A Holocaust Survivor's Surprising Message of Hope
Magda Herzberger was just a teen when she and her family were sent to Auschwitz. It was the last time she saw her father. Now 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, she talks about the Holocaust with a sense of urgency.
How Many People Died on the Trail of Tears?
A "trail of tears and death" is how a Choctaw leader described the experience of his people being forcibly removed from their tribal homelands and sent west of the Mississippi. How many people were affected?
The Tangled Line of Succession to the British Throne
Queen Elizabeth II has reigned over England for a record-breaking 66 years. But with Prince Harry and Meghan just announcing the birth of their new baby boy, how does the line of succession look now?
Why the Korean War Still Matters
The Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, ended with a stalemate and left North and South Korea as adversaries. It also changed the course of U.S. national security policy.
5 Polar Expeditions That Went Disastrously Wrong
Hundreds of explorers tried to locate the Northwest Passage. Many of those attempts ended badly.
What Really Happened in Salem Village?
The guys at Stuff They Don't Want You To Know break down some of the myths behind one of the darkest times in the colonies.
The Dare Stones: Forgery or Key to Lost Colony of Roanoke Mystery?
These engraved stones may hold the key to a 400-year-old American mystery, but they also might just be forgeries.
Why World War I Became the 'Forgotten War'
The 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I offers up a reminder — and a second chance — for us to remember the soldiers' sacrifices and to learn from our past mistakes.
The Incredible True Story of the Real 'Black Klansman'
Ron Stallworth was a black detective in Colorado Springs who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan to the point that he was asked to lead a local chapter. How he pulled that off is now the subject of a major motion picture.
Was George Washington Really Offered a Chance to Be King of the U.S.?
There's a popular story that George Washington was offered the chance to be crowned king of the U.S. but turned it down in favor of a truly republican government. But what really happened?
Were Sacco and Vanzetti Guilty of Murder?
The trial of Sacco and Vanzetti, which involved immigrants, anarchy and chaos, is one of the 20th century's most controversial and famous.
Why Is Blackface Controversial? Just Look at Its History
Blackface is alive and well. HowStuffWorks explores the history behind the practice, from minstrel and Halloween costumes to Shirley Temple and Drake.
Who Owns the $17 Billion San Jose Loot?
When a shipwreck is found, who gets the loot? The case of the San Jose has got interested parties battling and legal scholars scratching their heads.
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