VIDEO

Francis I of France is inevitably compared to Henry VIII. Both kings had big personalities, big love affairs, and big scandals that rocked the face of Europe. But there’s a lot more to Francis than just the similarities to the Tudor counterpart. From his unlikely ascension to the throne to his brutal defeats and torturous later years, Francis did not languish in his neighbor's shadow.

VIDEO

Meg Ryan has been a Hollywood fixture for the better part of four decades. Best known for rom-com romps such as Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, the actress’s off-screen life has been equally romance and comedy-filled....

VIDEO

A gentleman to some and a menace to others, John Dillinger put America in a frenzy with a spree that led to the formation of the FBI itself—until his luck ran out.

VIDEO

Imagine a world where burly Norse warriors discover a new continent—and then just... walk away. Wild, right? Get ready for a story into why the Vikings pulled the ultimate “not interested” move on North America. But first, an introduction.

VIDEO

Field Marshal Bernard Law “Monty” Montgomery was instrumental in defeating the Axis forces during WWII. His strategic brilliance, however, was second only to his massive ego and total lack of tact. More people need to know about Bernard “Monty” Montgomery, the man who Winston Churchill himself described as, “In defeat, unbeatable; in victory, unbearable”.

VIDEO

Of all Truman Capote’s beautiful socialite “swans,” Gloria Guinness was the most scandalous. Called “the most elegant woman in the world,” by her admirers, Guinness nonetheless hid immense tragedy, infamy, and bitterness beneath her glittering façade—and dark rumors followed her to her immaculate grave. Pull back the curtain on this high society beauty.

F

History's most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily.

Thank you!
Error, please try again.

PEOPLE

For years, Deborah Kerr was cast as a prim & proper type—but all it took was one legendarily steamy film to change all that.

EDITORIAL

Thomas Ince made over 800 films—but to this day, his death remains one the great Old Hollywood mysteries.

EDITORIAL

Frank Hayes was an Irish stableman and trainer—but on the fateful day of June 4, 1923, he was a jockey that met a tragic end.

PEOPLE

From shameful secrets and vicious feuds to debaucherous affairs and cutting remarks, the Victorian Era's royal family had more scandals than we can count.

PEOPLE

Little is known about the dynamic between William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway—but his will revealed a bizarre truth.

PEOPLE

Henry I, England's unlikeliest monarch, changed the country forever—yet few people know this ruthless king's dark history.

Advertisement

THINGS

The world is filled with spectacular, bizarre, and iconic buildings—but these structures often have a surprisingly dark history.

THINGS

So notorious that its name is synonymous with madness, the history of Bethlem Royal Hospital, or Bedlam, is filled with some of humanity's darkest moments.

PLACES

Area 51's workers don't drive there. They fly in on a classified US Government airline known only as "Janet."

PLACES

Alcatraz was only in operation for less than 30 years, but in that time it gained the reputation as one of the most notorious prisons in American history.

EDITORIAL

The history of Mexico City stretches back almost two centuries before the Spanish ever set foot in the Americas. Rather, the Spanish built their capital on top of the ashes of one of the most beautiful and unique cities in history: Tenochtitlan.

PLACES

Visitors often imagine the Eiffel Tower as an immovable silhouette, unchanged through the shifting seasons. Yet on the city’s hottest days, the structure behaves in a way that defies those assumptions. Subtle movements ripple through its iron framework to reveal a quiet dialogue between the monument and the intense Parisian sun. These changes invite a deeper look into how heat interacts with metal, which hints that even a landmark of this scale doesn’t stand entirely still. Instead, it adapts to the environment in ways that most observers never notice. It shifts just enough to show that nature always leaves its mark.

THINGS

The world is filled with spectacular, bizarre, and iconic buildings—but these structures often have a surprisingly dark history.

THINGS

As much as Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall would like their very-public beef to be behind them, it was impossible to watch And Just Like That... and not notice Samantha's glaring absence every few...

THINGS

The famed Marvel character Venom is getting his solo time on the big screen. Here are 24 facts about the iconic villain Venom.

THINGS

When people realized that Olivia Munn was dating John Mulaney, they jumped to conclusions—but her story is a lot more complicated than people know.

THINGS

So notorious that its name is synonymous with madness, the history of Bethlem Royal Hospital, or Bedlam, is filled with some of humanity's darkest moments.

EDITORIAL

The tragic loss of the Rainbow Warrior caused unbelievable grief, shameless lies, and a maelstrom of political intrigue so terrible—it's unforgettable.



Want to learn something new every day?

Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.