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
How Britain’s Secret Decoy Ships Outfoxed German U-Boats During World War I
Divers recently discovered the wreck of a German submarine and the Royal Navy Q-ship that sank it in February 1917
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
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
See Mosul’s Historic Leaning Minaret Tower, Rebuilt After Destruction by ISIS
Eight years after the Iraqi city was left in ruins, Mosul’s rich multicultural heritage is slowly but surely beginning to flower again
A Blockbuster Exhibition on Samurai Reveals How the Warriors Dressed the Part
The display of exquisite samurai armor in Oklahoma highlights the importance of aesthetics to Japan’s famed fighters
Butchered Human Remains Found in a Polish Cave Suggest These Prehistoric People Cannibalized Their Enemies
The bones and skulls were found strewn among animal remains, a burial that was meant to humiliate a conquered rival even after defeat
See a Controversial Anti-Fascist Mural From the 1930s Returned to Its Former Glory
Titled “The Struggle Against Terrorism,” the 1,000-square-foot artwork suffered from neglect for 90 years. Now, conservators have unveiled the newly restored mural in Mexico
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
Warship Sunk by the Nazis During World War II Located Off the Coast of Brazil
A German submarine torpedoed the “Vital de Oliveira” in July 1944, killing some 100 of the 270 crew members onboard
Archaeologists Say They’ve Located Harold II’s Lost Manor House
A latrine found in Bosham, England, has helped identify the location of the king’s long-lost residence, offering new insights into medieval life before the Norman Conquest
Two Metal Detectorists in the Netherlands Stumbled Onto Hundreds of Looted Coins From the Roman Conquest of Britain
The 404 coins, including 44 from Britain, are believed to be a mix of military pay and the spoils of war, stashed by a Roman soldier after he returned to the European continent
Archaeologists Discover Ancient Tokens That Roman Soldiers Used to Play Strategy Games
The lentil-shaped objects were unearthed in Hadrianopolis, an ancient city in modern-day Turkey, that once hosted a Roman fortress
Staffers Find a Japanese Hand Grenade From World War II at a Museum in Kentucky
After police and the nearby bomb squad investigated to the scene, they announced that the weapon was inactive and safe
When Russian Radar Mistook a Norwegian Scientific Rocket for a U.S. Missile, the World Narrowly Avoided Nuclear War
The Norwegian rocket incident, which took place on this day in 1995, marked the only known activation of a nuclear briefcase in response to a possible attack
You Can Buy a 2,500-Year-Old Corinthian Helmet Worn by a Warrior in Ancient Greece
Experts think the well-preserved bronze artifact was made between 500 and 450 B.C.E. It will be sold at auction on January 25
Experts Are Unraveling the Mysteries of This Breathtaking 2,000-Year-Old Mosaic Depicting Alexander the Great in Battle
The ancient artwork was uncovered during excavations at Pompeii in the 19th century. Now, researchers are conducting a long, intensive analysis
An Unlikely Army of Militia and Pirates Shocked the World by Defeating the British Army at the Battle of New Orleans
Forces commanded by Andrew Jackson fought the British in the Louisiana port city in the last standoff of the War of 1812
Exceptionally Well-Preserved Gold Ring Featuring ‘Venus the Victorious’ Unearthed on Ancient Road in France
In addition to the 1,800-year-old piece of engraved jewelry, archaeologists discovered a trove of Carolingian coins, medieval pottery and more
Archaeologists Discover Rare Clay Commander Among Thousands of Life-Size Terra-Cotta Soldiers in China
The 2,000-year-old military general figurine is the tenth of its kind to be excavated from the emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb, which may hold up to 8,000 clay statues
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