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The Russian Empire saw a long line of extravagant, deranged, and scandalous Tsars, yet believe me when I say that Empress Elizabeth of Russia puts them all to shame.

VIDEO

Princess Ka’iulani’s story is unlike any other royal tale. Even though this Hawaiian beauty lost her life at a tragically young age, Princess Ka'iulani certainly made her time on earth count. Amidst her incredibly tumultuous personal life and health struggles, she fiercely fought for Hawaii and for her people. So, put on a lei and join us in paying tribute to Hawaii’s “Island Rose.”

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Most people think of King John as the sniveling usurper who plagued Robin Hood, but the real man was far more complicated—and far more twisted.

VIDEO

Calamity Jane never acted like a pious woman. She was gritty, dressed like a man, swore like a sailor, and wielded her weapons recklessly. Her reputation became downright legendary, but her wild life in the Wild West led her straight to an end so brutal—it’s unforgettable.

VIDEO

Louis XIV, the so-called “Sun King,” had no shortage of mistresses…but none were as fascinating, or as scandalous, as the one known as Madame de Montespan.

VIDEO

Some say that history is written by the victors. And sometimes the victors get to brag about just how badly their enemies screwed up. For whatever reason, these 25 battles and campaigns turned into legendary disasters that are forever etched in stone by the winning side.

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PEOPLE

New York police officer Frank Serpico exposed the corruption in his own department, but he was taking his life in his hands to do it.

PEOPLE

Yukio Mishima was Japan’s most famous novelist, but the world was shocked to see the lengths he would go to put his words into action.

PEOPLE

When William Wallace was executed, he was hanged, drawn, and quartered—a punishment reserved for only the worst “traitors”.

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Just like the book of the same name, "Band of Brothers" comes from the true experiences of E Company—also known as “Easy” Company.

PEOPLE

The idea that one percent of the human population are psychopaths is both intriguing and unsettling. Should we be worried, or is there more to the story?

PEOPLE

When Princess Stéphanie of Belgium married Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, it seemed like a royal fairy tale—but it was actually a horror story.

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The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most glorious monuments, but it might not be around much longer without major engineering efforts.

PLACES

Japan’s Kabukicho Robot Restaurant resembles an automated gentleman’s club, complete with raunchy robots.

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In Jamaica, to symbolize growth and connection with the child’s roots, families bury a baby’s placenta and plant a tree on top of it.

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The MahaNakhon in Bangkok was made to appear as though it is pixelated.

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In Paris, it is illegal to distribute images of the Eiffel tower taken at night due to copyright issues regarding the light display.

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The location of Alexander the Great's tomb is the greatest unsolved mystery in archaeology. While there are many persuasive theories, the riddle endures.

THINGS

Cane toads were introduced into Australia in 1935 to control the pest problem's in the sugar cane crop. But what seemed like a smart solution at the time quickly spiraled into disaster.

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It started as a protest over the price of bread, but the women's march on Versailles ended up shaking the foundations of the French monarchy.

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Americans had to ration many things during World War II—but few were as bizarre as the rations for nylon stockings.

THINGS

Taking on a pet of any kind is a big responsibility and dogs in particular can be high maintenance. Here are some breeds that are not recommended for first-time dog owners.

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In 536 AD, the world plunged into darkness. Long thought to be exaggeration, new evidence suggests it may have been the worst year to be alive.

THINGS

Studies have shown there is an actual limit to the number of people someone can interact with socially.



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