Donner Party Survivors Were Rescued on This Day in 1847 After Weeks of Frigid Conditions, Starvation and—Eventually—Cannibalism
Bad luck and poor decisions turned the already dangerous trek from Missouri to California into a fatal affair for roughly half of the Donner-Reed party
You Can Buy a Rare Letter by George Washington Written at a Crucial Turning Point in the Revolutionary War
In the optimistic missive, Washington extols the revolutionary spirit of the American people—even in defeat—and makes a rare reference to the experimental smallpox inoculation that helped prevent outbreaks
Dial Up the Story of the First 911 Call, Which Was Placed on This Day in 1968
Before the birth of the central emergency number, some rural Americans resorted to fireworks and loud noises to attract assistance
The Historic S.S. ‘United States,’ the Fastest Liner to Cross the Atlantic, Is Heading to a Watery Grave
Officials plan to purposefully sink the passenger ship off the coast of Florida, where it will become the world’s largest artificial reef
Intern Finds Only Known Surviving Copy of ‘The Heart of Lincoln,’ a Silent Film Thought to Be Lost to History
Released in 1915, the film was directed by Francis Ford, the brother of famed filmmaker John Ford. It had been listed in a record of 7,200 silent films classified as “lost”
When Al Capone’s Henchmen Marked Valentine’s Day With a Bloody Massacre
The infamous mob assassination, which took place on this day in 1929, resulted in the deaths of seven men linked to gangster George “Bugs” Moran
This Historic Portrait of George Washington Is Being Restored to Its Former Glory
The 18th-century painting by Charles Willson Peale had previously been the subject of mismanaged restoration attempts. Now, experts in Versailles are bringing it back in line with the artist’s original intent
Untold Stories of American History
Born Enslaved, This Black Millionaire Attempted to Colonize Mexico and Aspired to Be the Emperor of Ethiopia
William Henry Ellis masqueraded as a Mexican businessman, but he never shied away from his Black roots
Rifling Through the Archives With Legendary Historian Robert Caro
Reams of papers, revealing how the scholar came to write his iconic biographies of Robert Moses and Lyndon B. Johnson, are preserved forever in New York. But his work is far from over
Are Humans the Only Species to Drive Others to Extinction? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
How the Theme Song From a Maligned Martin Scorsese Movie Became New York City’s Unofficial Anthem
Frank Sinatra’s rendition of “Theme From New York, New York” still raises spirits through challenging times and marks joyous occasions 45 years after its release
Untold Stories of American History
After Confederate Forces Captured Their Children, These Black Mothers Fought to Reunite Their Families
During the Civil War, Confederates targeted free Black people in the North, kidnapping them to sell into slavery. After the conflict ended, two women sought help from high places to track down their lost loved ones
The Death of a Sports Legend on This Day in 1993 Changed How Americans Viewed AIDS
Tennis star Arthur Ashe achieved many firsts as a Black athlete. In the months leading up to his death, he thrust AIDS advocacy into the mainstream
‘The Sims’ Turned Mere Mortals Into Gods. Twenty-Five Years Later, the Addictive Computer Game Is Still Going Strong
The audience for the trailblazing life simulation game has stuck around through new editions, expansion packs and designs to keep playing
This 120-Year-Old Police Docket Documented Crimes Like Reckless Horse Riding
Discovered in a thrift store, the historic docket lists incidents that occurred in the town of Casper, Wyoming, in 1904—including “reckless riding [of a horse]” and “keeping a house of prostitution”
Untold Stories of American History
The Spy Who Exposed the Secrets of the Black Chamber, One of America’s First Code-Breaking Organizations
In 1931, Herbert O. Yardley published a tell-all book about his experiences leading a covert government agency called the Cipher Bureau
The Wartime Organization That Brought Hollywood Stars Like Marilyn Monroe and Nancy Sinatra to the Front Lines to Entertain the Troops
Established on this day in 1941, the United Service Organizations offers wholesome entertainment options to off-duty service members
Archaeologists Unearth Rare 1,000-Year-Old Food Storage Pit in Alaska
Initial findings suggest the cache was used to preserve moose and caribou meat in the harsh climate of southeastern Alaska
Discover How Four Black College Students Sparked a Nationwide Civil Rights Movement, on This Date in 1960
By sitting down to lunch at a North Carolina department store, the brave men inspired many others to take part in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience
One of the Oldest Surviving Operas by a Black American Composer Will Be Performed for the First Time—138 Years After It Was Written
Edmond Dédé’s 1887 magnum opus “Morgiane”—billed as “the most important opera never heard”—will finally get its premiere after languishing in obscurity for more than a century
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