News | HISTORY

Sue the T. rex: 6 Facts About the Famous Dinosaur Fossil

The Tyrannosaurus rex fossil known as Sue carries a controversial past—and has revealed fearsome facts about its species.

The 5 Deepest Lakes in the US

Only five U.S. lakes, most of them in the mountainous West, plunge more than 1,000 feet into the watery depths.

Route 66: The Iconic Highway’s Rise and Decline

The construction of the interstate highway system in the mid‑1950s forever changed the road once known as “America’s Main Street.”

How Louis Braille Invented a Reading and Writing System for the Blind

At just age 15, Braille devised a revolutionary system using raised dots to expand reading options for blind students like himself.

What Are Plato’s 5 Forms of Government?

In Plato’s ‘Republic,’ the ancient Greek philosopher lays out five different forms of government, ranging from ideal to oppressive.

How Did the White Flag Become a Symbol of Surrender?

White flags were used during the Second Punic War in 218 B.C., and Confederate forces used a white dish towel to surrender at Appomattox.

The 5 Closest Elections in US Presidential History

Some presidential elections have been decided by just a few thousand votes—or even a few hundred.

The Origins of the Five‑Day Work Week in America

A 40‑hour, five‑day work week is now standard for full‑time jobs in America, but that wasn’t true until the 1930s.

From Sinatra to Streisand: 100 Years of Celebrity Political Endorsements

For more than a century, movie stars, famous athletes and musicians have all lent their star power to support presidential campaigns.

How Beachwear Helped Pave the Way for Women Wearing Pants

Some of the earliest versions of socially acceptable women’s pants were worn by women vacationing on the beach.

The 7 Biggest Landslides in US Presidential History

These presidents (including one who later became very unpopular) arrived at the White House with overwhelming margins of victory.

We Were There: The 1968 Democratic Convention

Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin shares intimate—and harrowing—memories of the turmoil she and her husband witnessed that summer in Chicago.