Historic Events
Wars, important political and economic occasions, catastrophes and social movements of the past
Library Full of Precious Manuscripts Burned in Timbuktu
The main library in Timbuktu is full of cultural relics, manuscripts that have survived since the 1200's hidden in wooden trunks, buried in the sand, and finally housed in the small library. But recent reports from the country say that rebels might have burned that history to the ground
January 28, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Iran Says It Sent This Traumatized-Looking Monkey to Space
Western nations fear the same technologies deployed in Iran's space program could be used to develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads
January 28, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Sonar Uncovers Amazing Photograph of Sunken Civil War Ship
The USS Hatteras, sunk 150 years ago, was discovered and photographed recently using 3D sonar
January 23, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
“The Grave Looked So Miserable”
James Idle was only 19 when he became one of the earliest casualties of the First World War. But his senseless death inspired a lifetime of devotion from a 9-year-old girl who watched his funeral
January 18, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
The U.S. Once Wanted To Use Nuclear Bombs as a Construction Tool
From digging a harbor to expanding the Panama Canal, how couldn't nuclear bombs be used?
January 16, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
More Soldiers Die From Suicide Than Fall in Combat
In 2012, 349 active-duty servicemembers took their own lives
January 15, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Document Deep Dive: The Menu From President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Ball
What delicacies and confectionaries were found on the 250-foot-long buffet table?
January 15, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
From Washington to Obama, Inaugural History
Everything you've wanted to know about the upcoming Presidential Inauguration
January 14, 2013 |
By Smithsonian.com
Ongoing Drought Could Send the Chicago River Flowing in Reverse
Low water levels in Lake Michigan could cause the Chicago River to start flowing the other way
January 10, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Australia is Burning, And It’s Only Going to Get Worse as the World Warms
Across Australia wildfires are raging. And yes, there is a climate connection
January 09, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Last Working Copyist in Mali Is Trying To Save Timbuktu’s Manuscripts
180,000 medieval manuscripts are housed in Timbuktu, and only 23,000 of those ancient writings have ever been catalogued
December 27, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Open For Business: The 3D Printed Gun Store
After Makerbot and Stasys pulled support, 3-D gun printers have found help elsewhere, and opened an online database of designs
December 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
That Time 150 Years Ago When Thousands of People Watched Baseball on Christmas Day
During the Civil War, two regiments faced off as spectators, possibly as many as 40,000, sat and watched
December 21, 2012 |
By John Hanc
How Will Life on Earth Survive the Actual Apocalypse?
What will life be like for the last holdouts during the actual end of the world?
December 20, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Boy Who Became a World War II Veteran at 13 Years Old
In 1942, Seaman Calvin Graham was decorated for valor in battle. Then his mother learned where he'd been and revealed his secret to the Navy.
December 19, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Document Deep Dive: Emancipation Proclamation
When freeing the slaves 150 years ago, Abraham Lincoln traded in his famous lyricism for a dry, legal tone. Harold Holzer explains why
December 19, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Prolonged Drought Could Shut Down Shipping on the Mighty Mississippi
This time last year the Mississippi around St. Louis was 20 feet deeper
December 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
NASA Assures Us the World Won’t End on Friday
NASA points out the blatant illogic of this apocalypse scenario and misconceptions that caused the false notion of an end-of-the-world prophesy to come about
December 17, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Tornado Power: Green Energy of the Future?
Paypal co-founder and early Facebook investor Peter Thiel just gave a small $300,000 startup grant to a Canadian researcher trying to harness power from man-made tornados
December 17, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
