Topic

History

A collection of 432 issues

South Sudan: The Story of the World's Newest Country and Its Tumultuous First Decade

On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the world's newest nation after a historic referendum, ending decades of civil war with Sudan. Despite initial optimism, the country has since faced immense challenges, including internal conflict, humanitarian crises, and the difficult task of nation-building.

History Geography & Places Wars, Conflict & Heroes

Jojoba's Secret: How a Scribble Sent a Desert Plant to China (On Paper)

The Jojoba plant's scientific name, Simmondsia chinensis, implies it's from China. This is a historical error. A 19th-century botanist misread the collector's handwritten label 'Calif.' for California as 'China,' and the name stuck due to scientific naming rules.

Science & Nature History Geography & Places

The Phantom Death Ray: How a British Inventor Fooled the Military and Vanished with the Secret

In 1923, British inventor Harry Grindell Matthews claimed to have a "death ray" capable of stopping engines from afar. After dazzling demonstrations for the military, he'd refuse further inspection and vanish with his equipment, leaving behind a trail of mystery and deep skepticism.

History Technology & Innovation Biography & Personal Stories

Krystyna Skarbek: The Polish Countess Who Became Churchill's Favorite Spy

Meet Krystyna Skarbek, the Polish countess who became Britain's first female field agent. Known for her fearless exploits and charisma, she was Churchill's favorite spy and the longest-serving woman in the SOE, a true legend of WWII espionage whose story is as thrilling as it is tragic.

Biography & Personal Stories Wars, Conflict & Heroes History

Lizzie the War Elephant: The Surprising Circus Hero of WW1 Sheffield

During WW1, with horses requisitioned for the front lines, a circus elephant named Lizzie stepped up in Sheffield. She heroically hauled munitions and scrap metal for the war effort, famously doing the work of three horses and becoming a beloved local figure.

Animals in Culture History Wars, Conflict & Heroes

From the Printer's Drawer: The Real Story Behind 'Uppercase' and 'Lowercase'

The terms 'uppercase' and 'lowercase' are literal descriptions from the era of printing presses. Printers stored their large capital letters in a wooden type case placed above the case holding the smaller, more frequently used letters. The 'upper' and 'lower' cases gave the letters their names.

History Technology & Innovation Literature & Books

From TV Star to Florida Retiree: The Unbelievable Survival of J. Fred Muggs

J. Fred Muggs, the chimpanzee who saved NBC's Today Show in the 1950s, is not just a footnote in TV history. He is, incredibly, still alive. Now in his 70s, he lives a quiet life of retirement in Citrus Park, Florida, having outlived nearly all of his human co-stars.

Entertainment & Media Animals in Culture History

Before Moby Dick, There Was Mocha Dick: The True Story of the Legendary White Whale

Herman Melville's Moby Dick wasn't pure fiction. It was inspired by Mocha Dick, a real, colossal white sperm whale who battled whalers off Chile in the early 19th century. This legendary creature was a terror and a marvel, a symbol of nature's untamable power.

Literature & Books Animals in Culture History

'They Had No Choice': The Story of London's Powerful Animals in War Memorial

London's Animals in War Memorial honors the millions of animals who served and died in human conflicts. Its most powerful inscription, 'They had no choice,' serves as a solemn reminder of their silent, involuntary sacrifice and the true, far-reaching cost of war.

Wars, Conflict & Heroes History Animals in Culture

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