Topic

History

A collection of 430 issues

Before the Beep: The Explosive, Gas-Lit Story of the World's First Traffic Light

The world's first traffic light, installed in London in 1868, was a marvel of Victorian engineering. Gas-lit and manually operated, it used semaphore arms and colored lamps. Its promising career was cut short when it exploded just weeks later, halting progress for nearly 60 years.

History Technology & Innovation

The Baroness Who Battled Fascism: Meet Helena Bonham Carter's Incredible Grandmother

TIL about Violet Bonham Carter, a formidable British politician, orator, and friend to Churchill. The grandmother of actress Helena Bonham Carter, she was a powerful early voice against Nazism and the policy of appeasement, leaving a legacy of courage and political conviction.

Biography & Personal Stories History Wars, Conflict & Heroes

The Day It Rained a Foot in 42 Minutes: The Unbelievable Story of Holt, Missouri

On June 22, 1947, Holt, Missouri, experienced a world-record rainfall, receiving an astonishing 12 inches (304.8 mm) in just 42 minutes. This unprecedented deluge, equivalent to a quarter of the state's annual rainfall, caused catastrophic flash flooding and remains an extreme meteorological event.

Science & Nature History Geography & Places

Our Italians: How a Disastrous WWII Defeat Forged the US Army

The Battle of Kasserine Pass in 1943 was a disastrous first clash for US forces against the Germans. The defeat was so severe that the British mockingly called US troops "our Italians." The failure led to the replacement of the US commander with the legendary General George S. Patton.

History Wars, Conflict & Heroes

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