Topic

History

A collection of 369 issues

From Dictator to Democrat to Martyr: The Unbelievable Saga of Brazil's Getúlio Vargas

Getúlio Vargas, Brazil's authoritarian ruler from 1930-45, was ousted after WWII. In a stunning comeback, he was democratically elected president in 1951. Facing a military ultimatum in 1954, he committed suicide, leaving a note that transformed him into a political martyr.

Before Columbus: How Genetic Evidence Revealed a 1200 CE Meeting Between Polynesians and Native Americans

Stunning genetic evidence reveals Polynesians and Native Americans met around 1200 CE, nearly 300 years before Columbus. This single contact event, likely initiated by Polynesian voyagers, left a lasting genetic legacy across the Pacific and rewrites our understanding of ancient migration.

From the Bronx to the Outhouse: The True Story of the Häagen-Dazs Name

The premium ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has a surprising origin. The name, meant to sound Danish as a tribute, was invented in the Bronx by a founder with no knowledge of the language. It's linguistically nonsensical, and by a hilarious coincidence, can be roughly translated to 'Garden Outhouse'.

A Twist of Fate: The Surprising Reason India Celebrates Independence on August 15th

India's Independence Day, August 15th, wasn't chosen for its significance to India but to its last Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten. He personally selected the date because it marked the second anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender, a moment he oversaw as Supreme Allied Commander.

The Time Las Vegas Sang 'O Canada' to the Tune of 'O Christmas Tree'

In 1994, the CFL's Las Vegas Posse held their first home game. Tasked with singing the Canadian national anthem, a performer who didn't know the melody improvised by singing the words to 'O Canada' to the tune of 'O Christmas Tree,' creating a legendary sports blunder.

Worse Than the Titanic: The Forgotten Story of the SS Sultana, America's Deadliest Maritime Disaster

The SS Sultana disaster of 1865 remains the deadliest maritime tragedy in U.S. history. Over 1,100 people, mostly Union POWs returning home, died when the overcrowded steamboat's boilers exploded on the Mississippi River due to greed and a faulty repair. It was a tragedy lost in history.

From 500 Pens to a Global Empire: The Only Loan IKEA Ever Took

In 1937, a teenage Ingvar Kamprad used a 500 krona loan to import pens, launching what would become IKEA. This single act of financing was the only external capital the company would take in its first 82 years, embedding a legendary culture of frugality and self-reliance into its DNA.

From Literal to Legendary: The Real Reason We Call It the 'Silver Screen'

The term 'Silver Screen' isn't just a metaphor. Early movie theaters literally used screens coated with silver or aluminum paint. This metallic surface was highly reflective, making the dim projections of the era bright enough for audiences to enjoy.

Not Just Random Debris: The Surprising True Story of the Man Named Shrapnel

Did you know 'shrapnel' isn't just any piece of metal from an explosion? The term comes from its inventor, Henry Shrapnel, a British officer who created a revolutionary exploding cannonball filled with musket balls, forever changing the face of warfare and etching his name into history.