Historic Events
Wars, important political and economic occasions, catastrophes and social movements of the past
The Real World Versions of Revolution’s Dystopian Cities
A new TV show looks very dystopian, but there are places that resemble Revolution's landscape in the world today
September 18, 2012 |
By Mary Beth Griggs
The Blazing Career and Mysterious Death of “The Swedish Meteor”
Can modern science determine who shot this 18th century Swedish king?
September 17, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
Flooding in Pakistan Threatens Remains of 4500-Year-Old Civilization
Strong flooding fueled by the annual monsoon threatens the ancient town of Mohenjo-Daro
September 14, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
When Bad Things Become Funny
Humor experts set out to discover when tragedies are fine to joke about, and when they're not
September 14, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Scientists Unleash Bacteria Into Boston Subway to Study Bioterrorism
To study the spread of biological agents, researchers sprayed bacteria into the Boston subway system
September 13, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Don’t Trust Robots? The Pentagon Doesn’t Either
Not everyone at the Pentagon is ready to embrace the new robot army
September 13, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
50 Years Ago, JFK Sent Us to the Moon
President Kennedy bolstered American support for his mission to the Moon with a speech at Rice University 50 years ago today
September 12, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
As Global Food Prices Climb, So Does the Probability of Riots
Rising food prices set the stage for riots and instability
September 11, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
How Scientists Know the Tar Balls Hurricane Isaac Dredged Up Came From the BP Oil Spill
Scientists confirm that oil strewn by hurricane Isaac derived from BP's blown-out Macondo well
September 07, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Ugliest, Most Contentious Presidential Election Ever
Throughout the 1876 campaign, Tilden’s opposition had called him everything from a briber to a thief to a drunken syphilitic
September 07, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
The Navy’s Future Is Filled With Laser Guns
The US Navy is driving the push in the development of laser-based weaponry
September 06, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
New Camouflage Makeup Protects Soldiers From Bomb Burns
Soldiers are adding a new makeup to their war wardrobe that protects them from bomb blast burns
September 05, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Cold War–Era Science Shows Beer Will Survive a Nuclear Apocalypse
In 1955, scientists dropped nukes on beer and soda to see how they held up
September 05, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Fires Are Escaping Our Ability to Predict Their Behavior
Today's fires are bigger, weirder, and way harder to model
September 03, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Martin Amis Contemplates Evil
England’s most famous living novelist has moved to America—and tilted the literary world
September 2012 |
By Ron Rosenbaum
Watch This Decades-Old WWII Bomb Go Boom
A World War II bomb was discovered by workers the on the site of an old bar that was being demolished, and then blown up the next day
August 30, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
“After the Storm” Workbook Helps Kids Deal with Hurricane Stress
The "After the Storm" workbook that helps parents sort out their kids' feelings following a potentially traumatic hurricane
August 29, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Watch Hurricane Isaac Grow and Slam Into Louisiana
A range of satellites are set to watch Isaac, giving a step-by-step look into the storm's evolution
August 29, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Yet to Fully Recover from 2010 Earthquake, Haiti Braces for Tropical Storm Isaac
Destabilized by an earthquake and ravaged by cholera, Haitians prepare for tropical storm Isaac
August 24, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Document Deep Dive: What Did the Zimmermann Telegram Say?
See how British cryptologists cracked the coded message that propelled the United States into World War I
August 21, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
