Jessica Pearce Rotondi

Discover the intriguing history, enigmatic rituals and hidden knowledge of renowned secret societies such as the Knights Templar, Freemasons, Skull and Bones and, of course, the Illuminati.

How do populations survive a pandemic? History offers some strategies.

Robber barons amassed vast fortunes during the age that began at the start of the Civil War—and ended with a crash.

The encounter between the Spanish explorer and Aztec king changed the course of history. But the story has long been told from one side.

The centuries-old ceremony is a mixture of political and religious rites replete in symbolism, tradition and pomp.

A combination of cultural shifts and metal rationing spelled the demise of the stiff undergarment.

By the end of the 1920s, more than 40,000 different candy bars were being made in the U.S.

As Nixon's Secretary of State, Kissinger both escalated the war—and tried to end it.

From the Ottoman Empire to the American and French Revolutions, coffeehouses have offered a place for (sober) people to discuss new waves of thought.

The 1875 Page Act was one of the earliest pieces of federal legislation to restrict immigration to the United States.

In the 1880s, mobs in Tacoma and Seattle forcibly expelled Chinese residents. In Tacoma, town officials organized the action months in advance.

In the wake of the Vietnam War, families of military members who never returned from service banded together to demand an accounting.

American bombers dropped more than 2 million tons of bombs over the country as part of a covert attempt to wrest power from communist forces.

The Chevalier d’Éon (1728-1810) served as a French soldier, diplomat and spy—while living both as 'Charles' and 'Charlotte.'

Marriage troubles for three out of her four children, humiliating press, a racy book and a fire at Windsor Castle all added to the year's misery.

A proxy culture war was fought between East and West Germany. The unlikely weapon? Animals.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was landmark legislation that required decades of actions—and setbacks—to achieve.

Callas became the most celebrated operatic soprano of the 20th century, but then her career—and life—were cut short.

Presidents dating back to George Washington have faced serious health issues while in office. Since 1967, the 25th Amendment has provided clear protocol.

The claim that “every vote counts” is especially true in swing states. And such states have been in play since the election of the nation's second president.

From a dancing plague to a laughing epidemic, the symptoms were clear—but the culprit was not.

History is full of forgotten conflicts that are commonly overlooked in U.S. history.

From al Qaeda emails to Disney films to pornography, the terrorist leader had a wide array of diversions in his Pakistan hideout.

From Versailles to the Qing Dynasty’s Yuanmingyuan, great empires curated vast gardens in a show of dominance.

Women have been held to ever-shifting, often extreme standards of beauty for centuries. But some have taken matters into their own (well-groomed) hands.

While bras shape women’s bodies, the development of bras has been shaped by world events.

The conflict in Vietnam took root during an independence movement against French colonial rule and evolved into a Cold War confrontation.

More women entered the workforce during the economically tough era, but the jobs they took were relegated to "women's work" and poorly paid.

Born at New England's Toll House Restaurant, chocolate chip cookies quickly rivaled apple pie as America's favorite sweet treat.

Wally Amos parlayed his aunt's chocolate chip cookie recipe into a gourmet snack food juggernaut.

Deadly mistakes doomed these early European settlements.

Explore facts about the 1963 JFK assassination, the perpetrator, investigations...and conspiracy theories surrounding the event.

On June 2, 1953, viewers around the globe watched a BBC broadcast of the coronation of 27-year-old Queen Elizabeth II. See highlights.

What is the secret handshake, and what are those symbols all about, anyway?

Massive fires have wrought devastation—but they've also led to significant reform and rebuilding.

These scandals drew public fascination and scrutiny, compromising the mystique of monarchies across Europe.

Learn how sinkholes and poor sanitation led to the creation of the Paris Catacombs in the late 18th century.

Before McDonald's pioneered McNuggets for fast food consumption, a Cornell University researcher developed bite-size breaded chicken sticks that could be easily fried and frozen.

Explore the myth that Freemason symbols are secretly embedded in objects and places around the world.

Coffee increased energy and alertness on the battlefield, improved morale and was even used by medics to help prevent shock.

The Cambodian photojournalist survived and then exposed atrocities under the Khmer Rouge.

The queen and the royal family faced significant milestones and challenges during the two decades.

While Monroe and DiMaggio's marriage was brief and tumultuous, the world became captivated with the ultimate pairing of sports and cinema royalty.

Over its thousand-year reign, the British monarchy has operated within a large set of rules—some of which have changed with the times.

The Cold War conflict was a civil war that became a proxy battle between the superpowers as they clashed over communism and democracy.

U.S. armed forces have long used the mail to cast their ballots from the front lines.

Royal objects appearing in King Charles III's coronation are imbued with history.

These secret codes enabled secure communication—at least until others found ways to crack them.

The interview, in which Princess Diana talked about her struggles with mental health and her marriage, rocked the royal family and generated empathy among the public.

The marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana unfolded like a fairytale—and the world was riveted.