Arts & Culture / Video
Why Queen Elizabeth Hit Pause on Princess Margaret’s First Love
In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II faced the first crisis of her reign, brought on by her sister, Margaret. She was being asked to bless her sister’s engagement to a divorcé—at …
There’s never been another performer like Prince, and the same can be said of his iconic yellow cloud guitar, donated to Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 1993. In …
A Serial Killer Used the 1893 World’s Fair to Lure Two of His Victims
The 1893 World’s Fair would end up drawing 20 million people to its Chicago showground. Two of them, sisters Minnie and Nannie Williams, came at the invitation of serial killer …
Conversations in Context: Media Portrayals of the Asian American Experience
In 1960, Chinese-American Hollywood star Anna May Wong appeared in the last film of a long Hollywood career–far too much of it spent battling discrimination and roles that typecast Asian …
This Frank Gehry Building Was Called Unbuildable
The Frank Gehry design for the Louis Vuitton Foundation building was certainly innovative. But from a structural engineering perspective, there was nothing to suggest it was actually possible
How the Mini Cooper Came to Be
It’s one of the most recognizable cars in the world, as British as Big Ben or fish and chips. It is of course the Mini Cooper–an ingeniously designed little vehicle, …
The Staggering Amount of Sugar Beets Used to Make Sugar
Over half of all the sugar consumed in the U.K. is made of sugar beets. One sweet factory in Norfolk, England gets through millions of beets every year
Conversations in Context: How Asian American Students Launched Equality Leadership
Faced with historic injustices that often spilled into violence, Asian American students at U.C. Berkeley–buoyed by the support of other student groups–went on strike in May 1968, demanding more diverse …
How Social Media Ignited Cher’s Fight to Save Kaavan the Elephant
An unlikely series of social media campaigns end up drawing the attention of pop legend Cher. At its center is a young elephant named Kaavan who is living in desperate …
Roman Emperor Vespasian Built the Colosseum to Boost Morale
From his years as a general, Emperor Vespasian knew the morale-boosting effects that a colosseum could have on common people. So he set about building one—a task that would take …
How Would Odysseus’ Bow Fare Versus a State-of-the-Art Modern One?
The legendary archery of Odysseus inspires a modern-day challenge: Can a horn-and-sinew bow built to ancient Greek standards outperform a state-of-the-art bow with a scope lens?
This Greek Island Has Been Partying for 2,500 Years
Inspired by Odysseus, historian Bettany Hughes is embarking on a journey through the Greek Islands. But at the island of Naxos, a different Greek hero appears to be calling: Dionysius, …
Sneak Peek: Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters
Our Native Daughters is a group of four renowned black musicians determined to tell their own history through folk music. The result is a musical work that exudes power and …
Elevating the Forgotten Histories of Black Women Through Folk Music
The power behind the music of Our Native Daughters comes from giving voice to the struggles of those who came before—and few have struggled to be heard as much as …
Why Wales Is the Place to Go for Medieval Castles
Wales has no shortage of magnificent castles—from the impenetrable stronghold of Harlech Castle, to the fierce fortifications of Carnarvon. Wales boasts a series of castles known as the Iron Ring, …
Inveraray Castle: An Ancient Archive Treasure Trove
Inveraray Castle is home to one of the most important private collections of historical archives in all of Britain—a collection of records, documents and diaries, dating back to the 13th …
Britain’s Amazing Roman Structures That You Can Visit
Northumberland is one of Britain’s most historic regions, an archaeological treasure trove of impressive buildings that date back to the Roman conquest: From Hadrian’s Wall to the Vindolanda Fort.
L.A. Welcomes a Camera Maker Fleeing Nazis
In 1938, a German-Jewish businessman, Benno Thorsch, traded his camera factory in Dresden for a new life in Detroit and, later, Los Angeles. With the rise of the Third Reich, …
This Dangerous Trick Wowed Houdini’s Fans
The water torture cell escape was arguably Houdini’s most memorable stunt. So much so that many people wrongly assume it killed him–a myth invented by the 1953 movie about his …
Stratford-upon-Avon Is a Magnet for Shakespeare Lovers
To soar over Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire is to be transported back in time to the age of William Shakespeare, a man born in humble circumstances who would go on to …
How the Titanic Sinking Became Fake News
Hours after the Titanic sank, news organizations latched onto a telegraph message that seemed to say that the ship and all its passengers had been rescued. It would turn out …
This 5,000-Year-Old Tomb Is Spectacularly Preserved
Despite the fact that it’s over 5,000 years old, Maeshowe, Orkney’s answer to Stonehenge, is in amazing shape. But why did Neolithic Britons go to such great lengths to build …
The Architect of Notre Dame’s Astounding Football Success
Under exuberant coach, Knute Rockne, Notre Dame set the standards for football excellence. But off the field, the Fighting Irish was a PR sensation, capturing the hearts of a riveted …
Conversations in Context: Music
From Lead Belly to Kendrick Lamar, Black musicians have long used song to share stories of struggle and triumph.
How Conservative Groups’ Protest Led to an Era of Hollywood Censorship
It’s 1933 and Mae West is just arriving at Grauman’s Chinese Theater for the premiere of I’m No Angel. It draws fans from all over the country—as well as an …
Can You Learn the Steps to This 18th-Century Dance?
Julie Montagu, the American-born Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, is meeting up with an expert on 18th century dance. Her aim is to learn about the dances performed in that era.
These Ancient Stone Troughs Contained an Unlikely Beverage
In the ancient ruins of Gobekli Tepe, in eastern Turkey, archaeologists have discovered 11,000-year-old stone troughs. What these troughs stored may surprise you
The 1919 World Series Fix That Tarnished America’s Pastime
The Chicago White Sox were heavy favorites going into the 1919 World Series. But they were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds—and it soon became clear that the game was rigged.
The Weird Thrills That Americans Pursued in the 1920s
In the 1920s, the U.S. was in full thrill-seeking mode. From horse-diving (you have to see it to believe it) to barnstorming. And at the center of many of these …
How Tea Drinking Became an Important Part of Japanese Culture
In the late 1300s, tea was introduced to Japan from mainland China, transported in delicate jars. Over the years, as drinking tea became a prized activity in Japan, so too …
This French Woman Risked Her Life to Document Nazi Theft
During the Nazi occupation of France, many valuable works of art were stolen from the Jeu de Paume museum and relocated to Germany. One brave French woman kept detailed notes …
World’s First City Discovered by U.S. Spy Satellite
Old U.S. spy satellite images of the Middle East have unearthed a stunning discovery: the world’s first city, Tell Brak—4,000 years older than the Great Pyramids.
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