News | HISTORY

7 Surprising Facts About ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Movie

The iconic 1939 movie starring Judy Garland is among the most‑watched in history, but even the biggest fans may not know these details about its production.

5 Times That Martial Law Was Declared

From the Civil War to the rule of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, find out how martial law has been enforced—and exploited.

6 of the Earliest Known Cave Dwellings

Our early human ancestors left behind archaeological clues whenever they went, but the ones they left in caves are often particularly well‑preserved. From South Africa to Siberia, archaeologists have discovered prehistoric bones, fire ash and even fossilized human footprints inside caves. Early humans may have used caves for shelter, but they also used them in […]

The Rise and Rapid Fall of the First US Department of Education

The department, established in 1867, faced opposition from Southern congressmen, who associated it with education for the formerly enslaved.

Who Invented Electric Christmas Tree Lights?

Edward Hibberd Johnson not only added flash and color to Christmas trees when he introduced electric lights in 1882, he saved lives in the process.

6 of the Longest‑Living Creatures on Earth

From a buck‑toothed rodent to a shark that doesn’t reach puberty until age 150, find out what creatures have the make‑up for exceptional longevity.

What Are the Origins of ‘Yacht Rock’?

Yacht rock, while defined more than two decades later, offered a break from the politically charged era of the 1960s and early ’70s.

Who Was the Mysterious Hijacker D.B. Cooper?

And how did the infamous 1971 skyjacker vanish into thin air with $200,000? Some claim that new clues could finally crack the case.

How Americans Started Clipping Coupons

Americans have been cashing in coupons since the 19th century. But the practice really took off during the Great Depression.

How the Great Cranberry Scare of 1959 Set Off a Thanksgiving Panic

On November 9, 1959—just two‑and‑a‑half weeks before Thanksgiving—the U.S. secretary of Health, Education and Welfare made a startling announcement: some cranberries grown in the Pacific Northwest may have been contaminated by a weed killer that could lead to cancer in rats. This meant that cranberry sauce, a popular staple of Thanksgiving dinners, might not be […]

How Ronald Reagan Tried to Shrink Government Spending

The Grace Commission made nearly 2,500 recommendations to improve government efficiency but ran into congressional opposition.

What Is Wampum—and How Was It Used?

For thousands of years, Indigenous people of America’s northeast region have crafted small, cylindrical beads called wampum from purple and white whelk and clam shells. Often woven into beautifully patterned belts, strings, necklaces or other adornments, using plant fiber or animal sinew, wampum served a multitude of purposes. It could serve as a visual memory […]