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Observances & Traditions

Cinco de Mayo: 5 Facts About the Mexican Holiday

Here’s how the Cinco de Mayo holiday began and how its meaning has evolved since the 1862 Battle of Puebla.

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How Patsy Mink Led the Push for Title IX

5 Over-the-Top Fashion Trends From the Victorian Era

Observances & Traditions

The Surprising History of May

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Arts & Entertainment

5 Masterpieces Painted by Leonardo da Vinci

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Trailblazing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders

5 Trailblazing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders

Discover five history-making figures in the AANHPI community who redefined the American story.

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This Day in History

Who Said It?

To believe all men honest is folly. To believe none is something worse.

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Cinco de Mayo

Observances & Traditions

How Cinco de Mayo Helped Prevent a Confederate Victory

When a small, scrappy Mexican force handed the French army a surprise defeat in 1862, the Confederacy was denied a potential ally.

How Cinco de Mayo Became a Holiday

Discover the origin and history of Cinco de Mayo and the battle that inspired the May 5 holiday.

The Real History Behind Cinco de Mayo

The annual Mexican holiday marks the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla.

Do Mexicans Celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo commemorates an 1862 Mexican battle victory, but it’s not a federal holiday in Mexico.

Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's successful defense of the city of Puebla against invading French forces in 1862.

HISTORY Shorts

Inventions & Science

If Looks Could Kill . . . These Beauty Trends Actually Did

From dentures that could explode at the dinner table and stiff shirt collars that could strangle us, to toxic hair implants, the pursuit of the perfect look once pushed people to surprisingly dangerous lengths.

The Man Preserving Lacrosse’s Native American Roots

Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and Oren continues to preserve the origin story of the sacred game.

Before Jerseys, Caps and Knickerbockers Were Soccer's Uniform

Discover how colored caps and knickerbockers gave way to today’s traditional numbered jerseys and shorts.

Duke Kahanamoku: The Olympian Who Popularized Surfing

Duke Kahanamoku was not only a five-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, but he also helped bring global mainstream popularity to the ancient Hawaiian sport of surfing.

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Explore Rhode Island’s Rich History

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Where the US Industrial Revolution Began

In 1793, Samuel Slater built America's first water-powered textile mill–right in Pawtucket. That moment helped spark the Industrial Revolution in the U.S. and transform how the nation worked.

The Courage of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment broke barriers in the Revolutionary War as the first predominantly Black unit in the Continental Army.

Inside Newport's Gilded Age Mansions

Explore The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House to discover how Rhode Island became a playground for the elite.

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