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.
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....
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”.
The House of Tudor had more than its fair share of scandalous figures, from Henry VIII’s many marriages to the intrigue and plots of the court of Elizabeth I. But few remember the twisted tale of Mary Tudor—the English princess who briefly became Queen of France. From her secret marriage to her bitter rivalry with Anne Boleyn, Mary packed a lot into her short life.
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.
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.
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Bonnie Prince Charlie launched a rebellion to take his rightful place as King of England.
Marie-Louise O’Murphy went to twisted lengths to seem like a commoner during the French Revolution—until it backfired on her.
Sophia of Celle tried to leave her husband, the future King George I, for her lover—but he got an utterly brutal revenge.
When it comes to historical firsts, some are more desirable than others. After all, everyone looks back fondly on Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, or Marie Curie, the first woman...
She's been in movies and TV shows, and her billboards are as much a part of the landscape as the Hollywood sign. But who is Angelyne?
For a few months starting in the summer of 1917, Bianca de Saulles was the most notorious woman in the world. And for very good reason.
Area 51's workers don't drive there. They fly in on a classified US Government airline known only as "Janet."
We may be standing on the shoulders of giants—and, if some legends are believed, that phrase might be shockingly literal.
The world is filled with spectacular, bizarre, and iconic buildings—but these structures often have a surprisingly dark history.
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.
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.
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.
Why do some people hate foods that others love? Why do tastes change over time? And what is umami? There's a science behind taste, and it has the answers.
Ever wonder where the term "Black Mirror" comes from? Its origins are rooted in a surprising historical trend. Read on to find out for yourself.
Checking our phone can instantly drag you into a hole of endless scrolling—but the consequences of this addiction are more nefarious than we realized.
The world is filled with spectacular, bizarre, and iconic buildings—but these structures often have a surprisingly dark history.
With a talent for keeping what younger generations have long left behind, baby boomers are quick to proudly tout the virtues of their old-school ways. Enjoy this list of quintessential boomer activities!
We dragged the Antikythera mechanism off of the sea floor a century ago, and we still haven't uncovered all of its secrets.
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