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Why The Vikings Never Colonized North America

Penelope Singh — 2026-04-13T09:00:05+00:00

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.

General Bernard Montgomery Was Unbeatable—And Utterly Despicable

Sammy Tran — 2026-04-13T09:00:03+00:00

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”.

Olive Oatman’s Real-Life Horror Story

Samantha Henman — 2025-09-04T18:11:04+00:00

Olive Oatman was one of the only survivors of a gruesome tragedy that destroyed her family. Captured by an Indigenous tribe, she witnessed the unthinkable. Sadly, her tragic losses created a twisted ripple effect—her memories haunting her right to the bitter end.

After her capture by the Yavapai tribe, Olive and her sister Mary Ann became the subject of a great furor during a trade between the Yavapai and the Mohave. The chief’s daughter, Topeka, was horrified at how the Oatman girls were being treated, and refused to leave without them. After completing a successful trade for the sisters, Topeka became their guardian angel.

Olive and Mary Ann assimilated into the Mohave and were given names and traditional facial tattoos. The Mohave people gave the sisters their very own plots of land and expected them to contribute just like everyone else. But most importantly, they weren’t captives—they were part of the community. They were given the option to leave at any time they wanted, but they opted to stay. Sadly, Mary Ann died during a great drought.

Unfortunately, Olive's whiteness and true identity would always be a threat to her community. If she was found, the tribe could be blamed and punished for harboring her. She just couldn't outrun her past—and eventually, it came knocking at her front door.

A messenger from Fort Yuma came, demanding the return of their so-called captive. He threatened the tribe with complete annihilation, until she agreed to go with him. Though she was heartbroken, there was a silver lining—she reunited with her only surviving sibling, Lorenzo.

The news of Olive’s capture, second life, and return drew a lot of attention—and sadly, she fell prey to a Svengali who dramatized her story, twisted it into an unrecognizable form, and turned it into a book. Olive was just along for the ride, although she thankfully eventually split from him.

After breaking ties, Olive became incredibly tight-lipped about her time with the Mohave people. Often seen wearing a veil to cover her face, she retreated into the shadows, shy and reserved. She married and did charity work with orphans, even adopting a daughter herself, until her passing.

Disturbing Historical Facts

Jane O'Shea — 2025-09-02T14:27:59+00:00

Here are some historical facts I found incredibly disturbing.

The earliest form of mouthwash was urine. In ancient Rome, bottled Portuguese urine was used to disinfect and whiten teeth.

The Pre-Raphaelites loved the paint color "mummy brown," but it was actually made with the remains of Egyptian mummies.

Trepanning was the earliest surgical procedure, where a hole was drilled into a patient's skull. It was used in many civilizations treating everything from headaches to mental illness.

Perhaps most infamously, Prince Philip of Orange had his head drilled 17 times.

It wasn't until the late 1980s that we accepted that babies feel pain. For a long time, operations on babies were done without anesthesia.

Allegedly, the Egyptian pharaoh Pepi II covered his servants in honey so that pesky flies would be attracted to them and not him.

Because women couldn't properly breathe in corsets, they were more likely to get pneumonia and tuberculosis. Corsets also caused serious muscle atrophy, so some women had to wear them just to remain upright.

History's Best-Kept Secrets: Revealed

Dancy Mason — 2025-09-02T14:26:14+00:00

These are history's best kept secrets.

The Kennedy family was powerful, but they were also cruel. When their eldest daughter, Rosemary, proved intellectually disabled and volatile, they kept it secret for years, and then gave her a botched lobotomy that left her unable to speak.

The Sound of Music is iconic, but it's also a lie. The real Maria von Trapp could be nasty and had an infamously bad temper, but Hollywood turned her into a loving figure to satisfy audiences.

Two of Queen Elizabeth II's cousins were presumed dead until 1987...when they were found in an insane asylum just because they were intellectually disabled. This wasn't even the first time this happened. Just a generation before, the family kept Prince John, who suffered from seizures, completely away from the public eye.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt likely didn't contract polio like most people assume. Instead, it was likely Guillain Barre syndrome. Either way, he kept his now famous paralysis completely secret from the public, even building a tunnel from Grand Central Station to the Astoria so no one would see him in a wheelchair.

The Roanoke colony famously disappeared, with the only trace being the word "Croatoan" carved into wood. It's a mystery for many, but experts believe the colony simply assimilated into the indigenous population.

The Brutal Downfall Of The Vanderbilt Family

Alex Summers — 2025-07-18T09:00:02+00:00

The Vanderbilts are likely America's closest thing to a royal family—at least, they spent money like one. The money came from Cornelius Vanderbilt, and the lavish spending came from just about anyone carrying the Vanderbilt name.

The Secrets Of Queen Elizabeth II's Reign

Marlon Wright — 2025-07-09T23:45:46+00:00

Elizabeth II was the longest-serving monarch in English history—but things weren’t exactly supposed to happen the way they did. The world was very different back when Elizabeth was born, and no one ever expected her to ascend to the throne. That is, until a strange twist of fate changed the course of history.

How Alexander The Great Conquered the World—Then Lost It

Peter Kinney — 2025-07-09T23:42:19+00:00

In less than a decade, Alexander the Great conquered the known world, even pushing the borders of his sprawling empire into the uncharted territories of the Indus Valley. How he conquered the world—and then lost it—is an epic tale of betrayal, fate, heroism, and villainy.

The Scandalous Life Of Alexander II, The Playboy Tsar

Penelope Singh — 2025-07-09T23:39:36+00:00

Tsar Alexander II of Russia stood at the crossroads of history—after all, his reign paved the way to the fall of the Romanov empire. And when you look at his scandalous life, it’s no wonder why it ended in tragedy. From secret, explosive letters to his utterly violent and shocking end, Alexander makes the mad, power-hungry Tsars that came before and after him look downright innocent.

Queen Tamar Lived A Bloody Fairy Tale

Sammy Tran — 2025-07-09T23:33:53+00:00

Queen Tamar is something of a puzzle to historians. They have trouble believing that someone could be so pious and kindhearted, but also responsible for so many gruesome battles. To which I say: Can’t it be both? Her piousness actually seemed to help make her such a powerful, successful Queen, in battle and otherwise. And I like to think the most brilliant people are also the most paradoxical. But we'll let you decide for yourself.

King Louis XV Was France's Most Ruthless King

Peter Kinney — 2025-07-09T09:00:02+00:00

The real historical Louis XV makes most mad kings seem downright saintlike in comparison. This deranged monarch has become infamous for his scandalous affairs and for driving France to the brink of ruin. In 1757, a mentally deranged man tried to assassinate him, but was unsuccessful. The bloody punishment returned to the assassin was so severe and disturbing that many historians to this day agree it was overkill.

Erik The Red Was The Most Unhinged Viking In History

Samantha Henman — 2025-07-07T17:42:03+00:00

Erik the Red spent most of his life getting into trouble. It wasn’t always intentional, but he wasn’t very good at conflict resolution—he often took things a little too far. After eventually becoming banished from his home, Erik set sail for the open ocean with no particular route planned, and stumbled upon something that would change his future forever.

The Truth About Bobby Allison's Legacy

Penelope Singh — 2025-07-07T17:38:02+00:00

Bobby Allison was a famous car racer from the early 60s through the late 80s—until a series of accidents brought a career wrought with controversy to an end. After his passing in November 2024, we figure it’s a good time to take a retrospective look at the not-so-mundane life of this NASCAR legend.

What History Won’t Tell You About Emperor Franz Joseph

Alex Summers — 2025-06-26T20:39:46+00:00

Lots of historical figures are complicated, but they don’t get much more complicated than Franz Joseph I of Austria. A staunch monarch in an era when kings were going out of style, Franz Joseph made himself many enemies. As if that wasn’t already a ton to handle, his family life was complex, and marred by tragedy. Brilliant, stubborn, and kind in equal measure, it’s hard to say whether Franz Joseph was a good guy. Judge for yourself.

Napoleon’s Horrific Failure

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-26T19:51:13+00:00

Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia was a disastrous saga of brutal battles, blistering heat, and bitter cold that ultimately shattered his empire. From reports of cannibalism to walls built out of corpses, this was Napoleon’s nightmare.

The Barbaric Life Of Edward The Black Prince

Jane O'Shea — 2025-06-26T19:49:00+00:00

Well, his nickname says it all: He was Edward the Black Prince, not Edward the Black King. But despite that spoiler, Edward endures as one of the most (in)famous royal commanders in European history, gaining a record of violent conquests and romantic scandals without ever actually sitting on the throne.

Doc Holliday Has The Most Twisted Story In The Wild West

Marlon Wright — 2025-06-26T19:45:32+00:00

John Henry “Doc” Holliday was the dentist-turned-outlaw who gambled and gunned his way across the Wild West. But there was one enemy he couldn’t outrun.

Napoleon III Lost It All Before His Chilling End

Sammy Tran — 2025-06-26T19:33:39+00:00

The weight of Napoleon III's name hung over him for his entire life. Convinced he was heir to his uncle Napoleon Bonaparte's empire, Napoleon III plotted and schemed from exile for decades—until his moment finally came. However, "The New Napoleon" had more flaws than we could count. His countless affairs, unhealthy habits, and questionable judgment all eventually ensured this upstart emperor faced a horrible fate in the end.

A High Society Nightmare

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-26T19:31:14+00:00

Most people don’t give two licks about the problems of the wealthy one percent, and with valid reason. After all, what’s to complain about when you can afford whatever your heart desires? But things aren’t always what they seem. And when it comes to the life of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, the truth glitters much less than gold.

The Tragic Life Of Astrid Of Sweden, The Snow Princess

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-26T19:30:35+00:00

Sweet-faced and with a golden heart to match, there’s a reason the beautiful Astrid of Sweden was the beloved Queen of the Belgians—until her utterly tragic end took the royal far too soon. From her fairy tale beginnings to the nightmare of her final hours, Astrid truly was like a long-lost “Snow Princess" from a storybook.

Caroline Matilda Is The Wildest Queen You’ve Never Heard Of

Alex Summers — 2025-06-26T09:00:02+00:00

The short life of Queen Caroline Matilda had it all: a royal marriage, love affairs, court intrigue, masquerade balls, brutal exiles, and heinous executions. The British-born, Danish-crowned royal was one half of an 18th-century power couple—until she began a torrid affair right under her husband's nose. Get to know the romantic, risky, and riskily romantic life of Caroline Matilda, Princess of Great Britain and Queen consort of Denmark and Norway.

Grey Gardens’ Darkest Secret: The Tragedy Of Edie Beale

Marlon Wright — 2025-06-20T17:56:20+00:00

In another lifetime, “Little” Edie Beale might have been as glamorous as her cousin, Jackie Kennedy. But fate wasn’t so kind to her—it was downright cruel.

History’s Most Ruthless Crusader King

Peter Kinney — 2025-06-20T17:53:50+00:00

Historians describe Richard the Lionheart as “a bad son, a bad husband, and a bad king, but a gallant and splendid soldier”. The reality, however, is a little more complicated.

The Untold Story of Titanic’s “Unsinkable” Survivor

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-20T09:00:03+00:00

Life for American women looked very different back when Margaret “Molly” Brown showed up on the scene. Yet while men expected women to be seen and not heard, Brown did everything but—even when she landed right in the center of one of history’s most infamous tragedies.

Meet The Most Shameless Woman Of The 19th Century

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-16T15:38:05+00:00

Considering her scandalous reputation during her life, no one has slipped under history’s radar quite like Jane Digby. A shameless adventuress in the first degree, Digby’s story is full of passion, betrayal, and a hefty dose of royal intrigue. If she isn’t well known today, maybe that’s because she’s still too much for us to handle. Strap in, ladies and gentlemen.

The Dark Life Of The Playboy Prince

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-13T19:04:59+00:00

Prince Aly Khan was born into one of the most powerful families in the world. The story of his life is one of luxury, intrigue, scandal, and tragedy. From a wild childhood to a string of high profile affairs with Hollywood stars and royalty, the young rake definitely left a wake of burnt money and bridges behind him.

History’s Most Secretive Socialite

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-13T19:02:29+00:00

Mona von Bismarck was the 20th-century socialite that the fashion world dubbed “The Best Dressed Woman in the World”—but there was more than chiffon in the folds of her gowns.

The King Who Locked Up His Wife

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-13T18:59:10+00:00

For all the great things he did for France—including building the beautiful Louvre—we will likely remember Philip II for one thing. He was the French King who locked his wife in a tower. If it sounds like a fairy tale, think again. His wife spent 20 harrowing years in a tower, and there were no animated talking animals or long locks of hair to get her out. Philip was as tough as nails, but he had a reason for keeping away from his wives. It was a dark secret that he would take to his grave.

The Most Scandalous Duchess In History

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-13T18:53:40+00:00

Greedy and cunning, Lady Elizabeth Chudleigh spent her entire life trying to bury the greatest secret of her youth: an illicit marriage gone terribly wrong. She lied her way to the very top, making dangerous enemies along the way. Tainted by duplicity, Elizabeth set fire to her own life—and when the smoke finally cleared, she was a chilling shell of the beautiful woman she once was.

How Edward Longshanks Became The Hammer Of The Scots

Samantha Henman — 2025-06-13T09:00:03+00:00

King Edward Longshanks, “the Hammer of the Scots,” was one of England's most ruthless kings. He had a deliciously macabre sense of humor, a ruthless ambition, and a devious Machiavellian mind. But was really as bad as they say? Was his hatred of the Scots his only policy? Is there anything else to his life or legacy? Dive into the dark history of this brutal ruler.