Topic

History

A collection of 463 issues

From Dachau to Duke: The Incredible Life of Franz of Bavaria, Britain's 'Other' King

Meet Franz of Bavaria, the 90-year-old Jacobite heir to the British throne. A survivor of Nazi concentration camps at age 11, he became a celebrated art connoisseur and has been in a same-sex partnership for over 40 years. His life is a remarkable story of resilience and dignity.

History Biography & Personal Stories Art, Culture & Design

Europe's Hidden Buddhist Republic: The Incredible Story of Kalmykia

Discover Kalmykia, Russia's autonomous republic and Europe's only Buddhist-majority region. Learn about its Mongol origins, tragic Soviet-era deportations, and the remarkable post-communist revival of its unique culture and faith on the vast European steppe.

History Religion & Philosophy Geography & Places

When a Penny Was Too Much: The Strange History of America's Sales Tax Tokens

During the Great Depression, states issued fractional-cent tokens so consumers could pay exact sales tax on small purchases. This prevented them from being overcharged a full penny (worth ~$0.22 today) on a 5-cent item, a huge burden when every cent mattered.

History Business & Economics

The Ugly Duckling Jet That Taught NASA to Fly Vertically: The Story of the Bell X-14

The Bell X-14 was a one-of-a-kind experimental VTOL jet built from spare parts. Flown by NASA for over two decades, its pioneering research into thrust vectoring provided crucial data that directly influenced the development of modern aircraft like the Harrier and the F-35B.

Technology & Innovation History Adventure & Exploration

Edinburgh's Enduring Enigma: The Tiny Coffins of Arthur's Seat

In 1836, 17 miniature coffins containing tiny dolls were found in a cave on Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh. Their purpose remains a mystery, with theories ranging from witchcraft to a memorial for Burke and Hare's victims. In 2014, a mysterious 18th coffin was sent to the museum.

History Geography & Places

The Glitch That Became the Game: Basketball's Dribble Was Never Supposed to Exist

The rhythmic dribble, central to modern basketball, wasn't in the original rules. In 1897, the Yale University team found a loophole, bouncing the ball to themselves to move. This 'exploit' was so effective it was quickly written into the official rules, forever changing the game.

Sports & Games History

A River in the Sky: The Day 3.5 Billion Passenger Pigeons Blocked the Sun

In 1866, a single flock of passenger pigeons in Ontario stretched 500km long and contained over 3.5 billion birds, taking 14 hours to pass. This unimaginable natural wonder was driven to complete extinction by humans in just a few decades, a stark reminder of our ecological impact.

Science & Nature History Animals in Culture

Loading more posts...