The Story Behind the World-Famous Photograph of U.S. Marines Raising the American Flag During the Battle of Iwo Jima
Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photos from Iwo Jima helped the United States raise $26 billion for the war and served as the basis for the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia
Why Scientists Kept the Birth of Dolly, the World’s First Cloned Mammal, a Secret for Seven Months
The scientific breakthrough, announced on this day in 1997, proved that geneticists could clone an adult mammal, giving rise to a new era of ethical debate and experimentation
The Last Member of This Bird Species Died in Captivity on This Day in 1918
Incas died at the Cincinnati Zoo, leaving behind mysteries over his death, his final resting place and the factors that led to the extinction of the Carolina parakeet
Neither Snow Nor Rain Nor Heat Nor Gloom Stopped the United States Post Office Department From Launching on This Day in 1792
The American Revolution cemented the importance of a federally protected post office in the minds of the people and politicians
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
Why an English King’s Traitorous Brother Was (Allegedly) Drowned in a Barrel of Wine
George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence, spent his life engaged in a power struggle that pitted cousins and siblings against each other. He was executed for treason on this day in 1478
With More Than 15 Million Made, This Iconic Car Became the World’s Most Popular on This Day in 1972
Blockbuster movies and the Beatles helped popularize Volkswagen’s uniquely shaped and affordable little car
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
Discover How President Theodore Roosevelt Inspired the World’s First Teddy Bear, Which Went on Sale on This Day in 1903
The unlikely origin story of the beloved children’s toy involves a hunting expedition in Onward, Mississippi, and a president who wanted to be a good sportsman
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
The Ascension of William and Mary, Britain’s First Co-Monarchs, Marked a Victory for Protestantism
The equal rulers returned England to Protestant rule and began a new era of royal leadership defined by parliamentary oversight
A 785-Foot Airship Crashed on This Day in 1935. The Location of the Wreck Site Remained a Mystery for More Than 70 Years
The USS Macon crash brought a quick end to the U.S. Navy’s vision of “flying aircraft carriers” powered by helium gas
When This Brilliant Author Died, She Left Behind a Legacy of Grief, Haunting Poetry and Surprising Resilience
Modern accounts of Sylvia Plath’s renowned work and legacy seek to highlight the author’s resilience through a decade-long journey of depression
One of Britain’s Most Beloved Royal Couples Wed on This Day in 1840
Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert popularized white wedding dresses. Later, her mourning of his passing cemented the image of a grieving widow in black
On This Day in 1964, 73 Million Americans Tuned in to Watch the Biggest Act in Music
Teenage girls threw themselves behind the Beatles and helped Ed Sullivan create the most-watched television event of its time
This Tragic European Monarch Was Executed for Treason on Her Cousin’s Orders
Elizabeth I ordered the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic claimant to the English throne, on this day in 1587
On This Day in 1900, the Bubonic Plague Hit the Continental United States, Spiraling Into an Epidemic That Killed 119 People
California officials denied—and tried to hide—the first plague epidemic that reached U.S. shores
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 Breathtaking Hermitage Museum, Filled With Treasures Like the Kolyvan Vase and the Peacock Clock, First Opened to the Public on This Day in 1852
Russia’s palatial institution is now the second largest in the world, with an impressive collection of three million objects and 50 beloved house cats
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
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