Lesley Kennedy

Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, is best known as the site of the notorious former federal prison, but its history extends far beyond that. Here, we answer six common questions about the national landmark.

Before bell ringers and thrift stores, they had 'donut lassies.'

Fort Knox empty? The disappearing White House cornerstone. America's version of Stonehenge. And Leonardo's missing notebook page.

The entire U.S. figure skating team was lost in the horrifying crash. But a memorial fund later helped lay the groundwork for recovery.

Hamilton's leadership in the war's last major land battle would deliver the future Secretary of the Treasury his long-sought glory.

Since the early 1800s, U.S. federal and state governments have taken steps both securing and limiting access to contraception and abortion.

The former Western movie set provided shelter—and isolation—as Charles Manson and his followers plotted the 1969 murders of actress Sharon Tate and others.

One famous festival began as a way to drive off angry spirits.

'I honestly think they believed I was dead.'

Amusements included the license plate game, I Spy and Mad Libs.

They were once viewed as unnecessary and even 'devilish.'

The death of a sitting member of Congress prompts a series of protocols to honor their service and address the resulting vacancy.

Flexing of military muscle is a longstanding tradition.

The reserve force of men and women traces its roots to Colonial America.

From ancient Egyptian beginnings to global popularity, lemonade may just be the original soft drink.

For more than 50 years, the LGBTQ+ community has celebrated 'Pride' in June with parades, marches and events.

Mermaids, National Asteroid Day and the return of fireflies.

At first railroad companies were reluctant to hire Chinese workers, but the immigrants soon proved to be vital.

Five facts about the world's smallest army and their time-honored traditions.

Since 1555, every pope has changed his name upon election, symbolizing a new beginning and hinting at the papacy’s future direction.

After inspecting burrs that had stuck to his dog’s fur, a Swiss engineer got an idea.

Learn why the holiday is so significant in Russia—and what distinguishes it from V-E Day.

The tradition has practical and symbolic reasons.

Centuries of history and symbolism inform the tradition.

Paul McCartney said the song was about a playground slide, but Manson claimed the music incited a race war and murder.

The act put an end to long-standing national-origin quotas that favored those from northern and western Europe.

The French heroine and saint was labeled a heretic, fraud, sorceress and cross-dresser.

More than just facts and figures, these statistics highlight the massive scale of Titanic's ambition—and of its tragic sinking.

The founding father worried that trying to spell out all of Americans' rights in the series of amendments could be inherently limiting.

Before the 22nd Amendment, presidents could run for more than two terms—but only FDR managed to win more than two consecutive elections.

After a 1954 ruling declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional, a decades-long effort to integrate them through busing was often met with violent protests.

After he parachuted from a 727 passenger plane with ransom money—and disappeared—newspapers started receiving weird letters, some with coded messages.

Architecture, agriculture, art and more first blossomed in these cultures.

His privileged childhood on a Virginia plantation gave him access to a rich education. He fell in love with Enlightenment ideas.

Presidential first pitches. Wacky stunts. Parades and banner raising. Every spring, baseball opens a fresh season with plenty of fanfare.

Power dressing. ’Eatertainment.’ Fad toys that sparked near-riots. Which trends did you participate in?

There are many reasons, but part of the explanation comes down to timing.

The sport, which dates to 1100, was a social event and sometimes played to settle disputes.

Despite the adoption of the 19th Amendment, many women of color, immigrant women and poorer women continued to face barriers at the polls.

The classic short story is considered an example of early American folklore. But tales of headless horseman have been around since the Middle Ages.

On March 22, 1893, 15 months after Canadian-born James Naismith invented basketball, Senda Berenson pitted Smith College freshmen and sophomore teams against each other.

As Florida's electoral votes became too close to call, controversy ensued over hanging chads, dimpled chads and butterfly bullets.

Answers to top questions about the executive residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The over 900 deaths in Guyana under cult leader Jim Jones were more mass murder than suicide.

Speculation fueled theories that a terrorist act had caused the crash that killed the 230 on board, but an investigation later concluded it was a tragic mechanical error.

Some claim the earliest Mardi Gras celebration was in Mobile, Alabama, not New Orleans, but it depends on a few technicalities—and who's answering the question.

Foods enjoyed during New Year are similar to those eaten throughout the year, but with special emphasis on bringing good fortune.

From superhyped decathlete Dave Johnson's bronze-medal showing to gymnast McKayla Maroney's slip, here's when American performances didn't meet heightened expectations.

From the Unabomber to Bonnie and Clyde, these 13 terrorists and outlaws triggered some of the most massive manhunts in criminal history.