Oxygen’s Discoverer Also Created Carbonated Water
Discover how Joseph Priestley, the scientist who uncovered oxygen, also invented carbonated water. Learn about this 18th-century chemist’s fizzy legacy.
Queen Victoria Ordered Cover-Up of Michelangelo’s David Replica
Discover how Queen Victoria’s modesty led to covering a replica of Michelangelo’s David. Learn about this fascinating episode in art history and Victoria Covered Michelangelo’s David.
Magellan’s Crew, Not Magellan, Completed First Global Voyage
Discover how Magellan’s crew, led by Juan Sebastián Elcano, completed the first global voyage without their captain. Learn about this historic circumnavigation.
Edison Proposed Making Lady Liberty Speak
Discover how Thomas Edison proposed bringing Lady Liberty to life with speech. Learn about this innovative idea that could have changed the iconic statue forever.
Lord Byron’s Challenge Led to Shelley Writing Frankenstein
Discover how Lord Byron’s ghost story challenge at Lake Geneva sparked Mary Shelley’s imagination, leading to the creation of Frankenstein, a Gothic masterpiece.
Oregon Pioneered Labor Day as an Official State Holiday
Discover how Oregon led the way in recognizing Labor Day as an official holiday. Learn about the state’s role in championing workers’ rights and shaping American labor history.
No Actual Red Hotline Existed for U.S. Presidents During Cold War
The Cold War era was intense, with a lot of tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. But there was no “red phone” hotline for U.S. presidents. Instead, the Washington-Moscow hotline, started in 1963, was a key system for preventing nuclear crises. This hotline was not a phone but a teletype machine. It was…
America’s Independence Was Actually Declared on July 2nd
Discover the surprising truth about America’s independence. Learn why July 2nd is the real date of declaration and how it differs from July 4th celebrations.
New England Experienced Vampire Panics in the 1800s – Tuberculosis outbreaks blamed on the undead
Discover how tuberculosis outbreaks led to vampire panics in 19th-century New England. Explore the eerie tales of exhumed corpses and desperate rituals.