Historical Figures

Scotsman Gregor MacGregor was a world-class con man who convinced hundreds of people to invest in the mythical country of Poyais.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

When police in Victorian England arrested two popular male cross-dressers, it resulted in one of the more scandalous trials of the era.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Ada Lovelace was the daughter of famed poet Lord Byron. But she moved out of her father's shadow to make a name in numbers, not words.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Mongol ruler Genghis Khan built the largest empire in human history, reshaping national boundaries and forging new diplomatic and economic relationships that still exist today.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan have had their first child. Royal watchers, test your knowledge of the bejeweled babies of the British royal family with this quiz.

By Nathan Chandler

Why did famed photographer Ernest Withers betray the civil rights movement he so lovingly documented?

By Diana Brown

Elizabeth Keckly, a former slave turned dress designer, was once the premiere dressmaker in Washington, D.C. She was also a close confidante of first lady Mary Todd Lincoln.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Today, Martin Luther King is revered for his nonviolent struggle for civil rights in the United States. But most Americans didn't approve of him before his death, or many years after.

By Dave Roos

Teenagers may be young, but they are also determined. And when they come together, they can spark change - as they did in these five instances.

By John Donovan

Strange theories have sprung to life around the enigmatic cult leader. Is there truth behind any of them?

By Diana Brown

History tells us that Betsy Ross designed and sewed America's first flag. But is that really the truth or is it just legend?

By Ed Grabianowski

Although there's been a lot of talk about Meghan Markle being the first mixed race person to marry into the British royal family, historians say that's not really true.

By Alia Hoyt

Violet Jessop survived not one, not two, but three disasters at sea.

By Kate Kershner

One theory about the fate of everybody's favorite female aviator is that her remains ended up as food for coconut crabs on a remote island in the South Pacific. But why?

By Jesslyn Shields

Unusual street art in Rapid City, the "City of Presidents," aims to personalize the presidency.

By Jesslyn Shields

Women have long been instrumental in America's labor rights movement. One early leader was Lucy Parsons, a woman of color who agitated for the eight-hour workday.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Did Adolf Hitler really commit suicide with Eva Braun like history says he did? Tune in to Stuff They Don't Want You To Know and see what Matt, Ben and Noel have to say.

By Diana Brown

William Rufus DeVane King was the U.S.'s 13th vice president, and the only one to take the oath of office in another country. He and President James Buchanan were also the subjects of scandalous talk.

By Laurie L. Dove

As a zealous advocate for marginalized people in the LGBTQ community, Sylvia Rivera was a progressive and important figure in the movement.

By Kate Kershner

Corpsenapping still happens today, with grave robbers targeting celebrities and politicians. Here are some famous recent examples.

By Laurie L. Dove

Ayn Rand's philosophies have drawn a very diverse, even contradictory, group of followers.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Even 1,600 years later, we still reach for the name Attila the Hun when we want an example of vicious (and successful) fighter. But how did his memory live on so long?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

The 11th president of the United States is buried in Nashville, Tennessee. There's a campaign underway to exhume and move his remains, and it's happened before.

By Laurie L. Dove

In the era before anesthesia, a surgeon with quick hands was highly sought-after.

By Alia Hoyt

Actress Nichelle Nichols was about to quit "Star Trek" until none other than Dr. Martin Luther King persuaded her to stay.

By David Dennis