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.

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

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”.

VIDEO

Alice Roosevelt was one supremely naughty girl—especially for the daughter of a President. One of the most beautiful women and most raucous socialites of her time, Alice lit up newspapers around the world with her antics, driving her father Theodore Roosevelt wild. Only, it wasn’t all harmless fun. Behind the doors of her stately homes, Alice hid dark secrets that only saw the full light of day after her end.

VIDEO

Seductive. Cunning. Dangerous. Isabeau of Bavaria was a powerful queen in an age of obedient women, and she allowed no man—not even her own unhinged husband—to control her. From her tragedies to her courtly schemes, there was often little difference between Isabeau’s life and an episode of Game of Thrones. A really bloody one.

VIDEO

All the money in the world doesn’t guarantee a happy home life. Just ask John Paul Getty III. An absent father and a cold-hearted—but extremely rich—grandfather both left Getty to his own devices. And when the mafia cruelly chained him up in a cave, his family wasn’t there to help him.

F

History's most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily.

Thank you!
Error, please try again.

PEOPLE

Rick James worked, fought, and partied with almost every icon in the 70s and the 80s, and he kept taking it up a notch until it finally destroyed him.

EDITORIAL

Haing S. Ngor was the first Asian actor to win an Academy award for a debut performance—but his success followed close on the heels of unspeakable tragedy.

PEOPLE

Faced with a kingdom divided along political and religious lines, King James I of England authorized a new English Bible that is now famous as the King James Version.

PEOPLE

When Genghis Khan was just a boy, his father died and the tribe abandoned his family, driving them to total poverty.

PEOPLE

Comedian. Playboy. Murderer. These are just a few of the names thrown at Fatty Arbuckle during his brief, tragedy-filled life.

PEOPLE

Getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should’ve been incredible for Gregg Allman—instead, the night ended in utter humiliation.

Advertisement

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

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

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

Situated on the Nile’s west bank opposite Luxor, Egypt’s Valley of the Kings took over from the pyramids as the pharaohs’ preferred location for the afterlife. The Valley is a timeless monument to the Ancient Egyptians’ complex vision of eternity.

PLACES

During a food shortage in WWI, an army supply ship docked in Amsterdam and had to fight off men and women looting the supplies.

PLACES

Europe’s oldest known lakeside village has been discovered in the tranquil waters of Lake Ohrid in the Balkans, expanding our knowledge of early Neolithic life.

EDITORIAL

The tragic loss of the Rainbow Warrior caused unbelievable grief, shameless lies, and a maelstrom of political intrigue so terrible—it's unforgettable.

EDITORIAL

The James Webb Space Telescope looks like some weird, honeycomb, spaceship...thing. What gives? Well, this brilliant machine has a few tricks up its sleeve.

THINGS

Gold-laden ships sink into watery graves. Treasure hunters spend lifetimes searching for riches that might never be found. These lost treasures still beckon adventurers today—legendary fortunes waiting silently in jungles, mountains, and ocean depths.

THINGS

Dumbest Moments In History Facts. This list taught us that the phrase "first thought, best thought" was invented a very long time ago...

THINGS

When it comes to reality TV villains, Omarosa was the first and the worst—especially considering what she did after the cameras stopped.

MUSIC

Torrid affairs. Chilling secrets. Outrageous behavior. The lives of these rock gods are more twisted than any of their iconic songs.



Want to learn something new every day?

Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.