How the Empire State Building Was Built in Record TimeWorkers completed the 102‑story, Art Deco‑style landmark in an astonishing one year and 45 days.Read more
How President Grover Cleveland Won Two Non‑Consecutive TermsPresident Cleveland is the only U.S. president to lose his first reelection bid—then return four years later to win back the White House.Read more
7 ‘October Surprises’ That Disrupted US Presidential ElectionsWhen scandalous news emerged in the final weeks of these presidential campaigns, election outcomes were at stake.Read more
Why (and How) Engineers Drained Niagara Falls in 1969For five months in 1969, water flowing to the New York side of Niagara Falls was diverted, leaving a 100‑foot‑high dry cliff.Read more
When Were Seat Belts Invented?Seat belts came in simpler designs before safety concerns drove innovation, leading to the three‑point version that is standard today. Read more
The Richter Scale’s California OriginsCharles Richter worked with Beno Gutenberg to develop one of the first data‑driven ways of comparing earthquakes.Read more
When the 1824 Presidential Election Ended in an Electoral Tie, Controversy EnsuedAfter the tied election went to the House of Representatives, an anonymous letter accused two of the candidates of making a ‘corrupt bargain.’Read more
Horrific Fate of Officer in Doomed Arctic Expedition RevealedWhat happened to the crew of the Franklin expedition remains unclear, but cannibalized remains were identified as belonging to third‑in‑command James Fitzjames.Read more
The History of the Bra: From Corsets to SpandexWhile bras shape women’s bodies, the development of bras has been shaped by world events.Read more
Jimmy Carter’s Life in PhotosAt his 100th birthday, the legacy of America’s 39th president extends far beyond his four years in the White House.Read more
Why Is ‘The Catch’ Called Baseball’s Most Perfect Play?In 1954, the Giants’ Willie Mays made a catch that wowed the nation—and became a legendary moment in baseball history.Read more
How Radiocarbon Dating Unlocks Ancient HistoryWhen a chemist discovered that carbon atoms could be used to date ancient remains, he devised a method that upended archaeology.Read more