How Hollywood Star Hedy Lamarr Invented the Tech Behind WiFiBy day, Hedy Lamarr was a glamorous movie star, but she was also a gifted, self-trained inventor who developed a technology to help sink Nazi U-boats.Read more
How ‘Dune’ Imagined Climate Disaster—and Inspired Environmental ActivismFrank Herbert’s 1965 science fiction novel, ‘Dune,’ tackled ecological themes and predicted some real-world problems.Read more
How Emily Roebling Saved the Brooklyn BridgeAfter her husband suffered an accident, Emily Warren Roebling took over supervising the complex construction of the landmark.Read more
5 Secret Codes Used to Communicate in the Underground RailroadIn order to avoid detection, Harriet Tubman and others used a variety of codes and signals to communicate along the route to freedom.Read more
The Bizarre Plan to Bring George Washington Back to LifeA day after George Washington’s death, a doctor arrived at Mount Vernon and proposed a procedure to resurrect America’s first president.Read more
5 Harlem Renaissance Artists Whose Work Helped Reclaim Black IdentityThese visual artists helped modernize and reclaim African American portrayals through groundbreaking painting, sculpture and photography.Read more
How Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio Became the Ultimate Power CoupleWhile Monroe and DiMaggio’s marriage was brief and tumultuous, the world became captivated with the ultimate pairing of sports and cinema royalty.Read more
10 Symbolic Foods of Lunar New YearFoods enjoyed during New Year are similar to those eaten throughout the year, but with special emphasis on bringing good fortune.Read more
The Civil Rights Movement: 7 Key Moments That Led to ChangeFrom a bus boycott to Freedom Rides to the fight for fair housing, here are seven moments that triggered change.Read more
The Dyatlov Pass Incident: Why the Hiker Deaths Remain a MysteryIn February 1959, nine hikers were killed while trekking in the Ural Mountains. The Soviet government originally attributed a “compelling natural force” as the cause.Read more
The Black Explorer Who May Have Reached the North Pole FirstIn 1909 African American Matthew Henson trekked with explorer Robert Peary, reaching what they claimed was the North Pole. Who got there first?Read more
How Truman Capote Cultivated New York’s Elite—Then Exposed Their SecretsA 1975 work of fiction included enough real-life references to turn New York socialites against Truman Capote.Read more