For the Japanese people, Hirohito was a god. But behind the gilded facade and the royal duty he was born to, Hirohito was just a man like any other, and a flawed one at that. While his reign as Japanese Emperor centered around the growing power of the military and a series of terrible wars, Hirohito's own life was much different behind closed doors.
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.
Field Marshal Bernard Law “Monty” Montgomery was instrumental in defeating the Axis forces during WWII. His strategic brilliance, however, was second only to his massive ego and total lack of tact. More people need to know about Bernard “Monty” Montgomery, the man who Winston Churchill himself described as, “In defeat, unbeatable; in victory, unbearable”.
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....
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.
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.
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Farley Granger had affairs with Old Hollywood’s hottest starlets, romancing big names like Shelley Winters and Ava Gardner.
Charles Guiteau failed as a student, lawyer, preacher, writer, and politician before assassinating President James Garfield and helping reshape American politics.
Most people would run from the things Iggy Pop had done, but on his 1996 album Naughty Little Doggie, Pop finally admitted everything.
When it comes to historical firsts, some are more desirable than others. After all, everyone looks back fondly on Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, or Marie Curie, the first woman...
History can change when somebody asks one deceptively simple question: Who are you?
Bettina Graziani personified the new era of post-WWII Paris chic. The hard-working beauty put her looks and gumption to good use.
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.
Area 51's workers don't drive there. They fly in on a classified US Government airline known only as "Janet."
We may be standing on the shoulders of giants—and, if some legends are believed, that phrase might be shockingly literal.
The world is filled with spectacular, bizarre, and iconic buildings—but these structures often have a surprisingly dark history.
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.
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.
From Titanic's lifeboats to factory fire exits, seat belts, airbags, smoke alarms, and airplane warning systems, discover the safety devices society resisted until deadly disasters proved they could no longer be ignored.
Many claim that yoga has physical and mental benefits—but what does science have to say? Does this method of exercise really work?
Discover the real people behind famous brand names, from Adidas and Barbie to Mercedes and Wendy’s, and learn how founders, inventors, and family members became household names worldwide through history.
Rediscover 25 classic western novels that filled bookstore shelves in the 1970s and became unforgettable favorites for baby boomer readers.
Sarah Winchester’s San Jose mansion is famous for staircases that seem to go nowhere, doors that open onto walls, and stories about restless spirits. The architecture is real, but historians have found surprisingly little evidence for the supernatural explanation that made the house famous.
History's greatest circus performers risked everything to amaze audiences—and many paid a heartbreaking price.
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