Barbara Maranzani

Among the missteps: lack of intel-sharing between agencies, tepid responses to earlier attacks and a failure to grasp the magnitude of the terrorists' ambitions.

King penned of the civil rights movement's seminal texts while in solitary confinement, initially on the margins of a newspaper.

Nicholas' five children were shot, bludgeoned, stabbed and then shot again. Could the Romanovs' many royal relatives across Europe have helped prevent the slaughter?

In the Mexican-American War, Mexico faced an enemy that was coming into its own as a military power.

From its Civil War origins to its modern-day traditions, find out more about America’s most solemn holiday.

Get the facts about the iconic thoroughbred racehorse whose name reigns supreme in the history of racing.

Mikhail Gorbachev introduced perestroika and glasnost as well-intentioned reforms to transform the Soviet Union.

Check out some surprising facts about the World’s Columbian Exposition.

Explore nine fascinating facts about Lizzie Borden, who may or may not have taken an ax and given her parents lethal whacks in August 1892.

Find out more about the largest, armed Jewish resistance movement of World War II.

Explore surprising facts about one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War.

In honor of Presidents’ Day, here’s a look at some unusual ways the commanders-in-chief have spent their special day.

Here are the stories of eight infamous serial killers, from Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy, to part-time clown John Wayne Gacy.

Explore the life and legacy of the civil rights pioneer.

Fred L. Shuttlesworth, the noted civil rights leader and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, died Wednesday in Birmingham, Alabama.

Nearly 50 years before the March on Washington, African Americans took to the streets of New York to protest racial inequality.

Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in the North in 1849 and then risked her life to lead other enslaved people to freedom.

Check out five surprising facts about the author of 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina.'

After 10 days of bruising battle, U.S. forces took the hill, only to abandon it days later. Sniper fire was so intense, one soldier called it 'a human meat grinder.'

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was designed to prevent secret surveillance by the president and others.

Check out some surprising facts about the world-famous museum and its long history.

From Bette vs. Joan to the ultimate sibling rivalry, check out these legendary Hollywood battles.

Thirty years after the Hitler Diaries were exposed as a fraud, here’s a look back at some of history’s other famous fictions.

From Franklin’s brushes with death to Eleanor’s midnight ride with Amelia Earhart, here are 10 things you may not know about this presidential pair.

On the anniversary of its creation, take a look back at the history of the March of Dimes.

Burr’s political achievements are largely overshadowed by his duel with Hamilton.

From a 'mediocre' nominee to the 1980s fight that brought the phrase 'Borked' into the lexicon, these are some of the most fiercely fought confirmation battles in the high court's history.

The 5,300-year-old body of Ötzi the Iceman was discovered in the Italian Alps in 1991. Now, scientists have discovered he has at least 19 living Austrian descendants.

Unexplained fears surrounding the number 13 can be traced to ancient times.

The much-feared day was the beginning of the end for the powerful warriors.

The iconic 1969 music festival had a lot of unplanned and surprising aspects.

Here are five places you can visit today that are still affected by the Titanic disaster.

Explore little-known facts about the "date which will live in infamy."

Alexander Hamilton was one of America's most influential and controversial founding fathers.

From surprise candidates to delegate fistfights, here are five things you may not know about the history of nominating conventions.

As we commemorate the anniversary of his death, here are 10 things you may not know about Robert F. Kennedy.

A rare photo of the doomed ocean liner, likely taken the day before it set sail on its maiden voyage, is going on the auction block.

A new study has cast doubt on a popular theory that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals once co-existed in Europe.

Scientists may have solved the 66-million-year-old mystery of what doomed the dinosaurs.

The German surrender during World War II was one of the most momentous events of the 20th century.

The author of the children's poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was persistent in arguing that establishing the national November holiday could help heal wounds from the Civil War.

Check out seven facts about the legendary 19th-century feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families.

The Russian ruler was mostly known for modernizing her country—and for her long string of palace lovers. The horse? That was a myth.

Almost 40 years after it was first proposed, this week marked the opening of Four Freedoms Park, a new memorial honoring Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Get the facts about John Jacob Astor, America’s first multi-millionaire.

In honor of Flag Day, check out some things you should know about the Stars and Stripes.

Here are 10 unusual facts about the New York City landmark.

Discover some surprising facts about the Japanese capital.

The search for the powerful ex-Teamster boss continues to fascinate the public—and frustrate authorities.

On Saturday, the worlds of Washington, D.C. and Hollywood will once again collide as the nation’s capital plays host to the annual affair.