Topic

Biography & Personal Stories

A collection of 192 issues

Sombra: The Colombian K-9 So Feared by Cartels They Put a $70,000 Bounty on Her Head

Sombra, a heroic German Shepherd, became a top target for Colombia's most powerful cartel after sniffing out over 9 tons of cocaine. The Gulf Clan placed a $70,000 bounty on her head, forcing police to relocate her with bodyguards for her own protection.

Singapore's Royal Ghost: How the Lion City Became a Republic From Day One

Singapore, once a medieval kingdom, became a republic the moment it gained independence from Malaysia in 1965. It has never had a monarch in its modern history, with its first head of state, Yusof Ishak, transitioning from a governor-like role to become its first President.

From High School Satire to 'The Office': The Unlikely Story of John Krasinski and B.J. Novak

Long before their Dunder Mifflin days, The Office co-stars John Krasinski and B.J. Novak attended the same high school. Their paths first crossed when Krasinski starred in a satirical senior play written by none other than Novak, a fascinating prelude to their famous on-screen rivalry.

Throne of Blood: The 2001 Nepalese Royal Massacre and the Fall of a Dynasty

On June 1, 2001, Nepal's Crown Prince Dipendra, enraged over a marriage dispute, shot and killed ten members of his family, including his parents, the King and Queen. He then turned the gun on himself, plunging the nation into chaos and ending a dynasty.

The Unbroken Chain: Inside the Kong Family's 2,500-Year, 2-Million-Member Family Tree

The Kong family, direct descendants of Confucius, possess the world's longest family tree. Spanning over 2,500 years and 83 generations, this meticulously documented lineage now includes over 2 million members, a testament to enduring cultural and familial heritage.

Dimples and Diplomacy: Shirley Temple's Surprising Role in the Fall of Communism

Shirley Temple, the iconic child star, had a remarkable second act as a diplomat. As US Ambassador to Czechoslovakia in 1989, she witnessed and supported the Velvet Revolution, playing a key role in the nation's peaceful transition from communism to democracy.

The Audacious Clerk Who Put His Own Face on Money and Changed U.S. Law Forever

In 1866, when Congress authorized a 5¢ bill honoring explorer 'Clark,' Treasury official Spencer Clark seized the ambiguity and put his own portrait on the currency. The resulting outrage led to a permanent ban on depicting any living person on U.S. money, a law that stands today.