VIDEO

Meg Ryan has been a Hollywood fixture for the better part of four decades. Best known for rom-com romps such as Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, the actress’s off-screen life has been equally romance and comedy-filled....

VIDEO

The House of Tudor had more than its fair share of scandalous figures, from Henry VIII’s many marriages to the intrigue and plots of the court of Elizabeth I. But few remember the twisted tale of Mary Tudor—the English princess who briefly became Queen of France. From her secret marriage to her bitter rivalry with Anne Boleyn, Mary packed a lot into her short life.

VIDEO

Francis I of France is inevitably compared to Henry VIII. Both kings had big personalities, big love affairs, and big scandals that rocked the face of Europe. But there’s a lot more to Francis than just the similarities to the Tudor counterpart. From his unlikely ascension to the throne to his brutal defeats and torturous later years, Francis did not languish in his neighbor's shadow.

VIDEO

Princess Anne is one of the most powerful people in the world, and yet so few people know her dark, twisted history. From kidnapping attempts to bizarre family affairs, let’s just say Princess Anne is not your mother’s royal.

VIDEO

A gentleman to some and a menace to others, John Dillinger put America in a frenzy with a spree that led to the formation of the FBI itself—until his luck ran out.

VIDEO

Imagine a world where burly Norse warriors discover a new continent—and then just... walk away. Wild, right? Get ready for a story into why the Vikings pulled the ultimate “not interested” move on North America. But first, an introduction.

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PEOPLE

Explore the strange social rules Americans once followed without question, from calling cards and hat etiquette to dating chaperones, mourning clothes, thank-you notes, and the famous ban on wearing white after Labor Day.

PEOPLE

More people need to know about Bernard Montgomery, the man Winston Churchill himself described as, “In defeat, unbeatable; in victory, unbearable.”

EDITORIAL

Shirley Temple looked like the perfect Hollywood child star. But one Vatican investigation threatened to ruin her image for good.

PEOPLE

History's worst people aren't always as bad as they're made out to be.

PEOPLE

In 1808, Maria Luisa joined a delegation to negotiate peace with France. The queen dominated Spain's politics and king, but was no match against Napoleon.

PEOPLE

Robert Blake was a child star that stood the test of time. However, his dark personal life transformed his status from famous to downright infamous.

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PLACES

We may be standing on the shoulders of giants—and, if some legends are believed, that phrase might be shockingly literal.

THINGS

The world is filled with spectacular, bizarre, and iconic buildings—but these structures often have a surprisingly dark history.

THINGS

So notorious that its name is synonymous with madness, the history of Bethlem Royal Hospital, or Bedlam, is filled with some of humanity's darkest moments.

EDITORIAL

The history of Mexico City stretches back almost two centuries before the Spanish ever set foot in the Americas. Rather, the Spanish built their capital on top of the ashes of one of the most beautiful and unique cities in history: Tenochtitlan.

PLACES

Alcatraz was only in operation for less than 30 years, but in that time it gained the reputation as one of the most notorious prisons in American history.

PLACES

Area 51's workers don't drive there. They fly in on a classified US Government airline known only as "Janet."

THINGS

What happened to these reality stars when the cameras stopped rolling? Just because they weren't on TV anymore doesn’t mean they stopped causing drama.

THINGS

Here are some familiar child stars from the past. Where are they now? Are they thriving adult actors? Or did Hollywood chew them up and spit them back out.

THINGS

The world is filled with spectacular, bizarre, and iconic buildings—but these structures often have a surprisingly dark history.

EDITORIAL

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." It's the Golden Rule. And it's...total bogus. At least, if you ask anyone who's ever built a spite house.

EDITORIAL

Balloonfest ’86 was one of history's most disastrous fundraising publicity stunts. The idea seemed harmless—but it became the city’s worst nightmare.

THINGS

So notorious that its name is synonymous with madness, the history of Bethlem Royal Hospital, or Bedlam, is filled with some of humanity's darkest moments.



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