In Belgium, King Leopold II was hailed as the “Builder King” for his wondrous works. But overseas, in the Congo Free State, lay the horrific truth: Leopold was more of a butcher than a builder.
Mary Landon Baker had a reputation after multiple men at the altar—but just before she died, she finally confessed the real reason why she’d never married.
Olga of Kiev had a ruthless reputation—known for the infamous stories of her bloodlust—but her ultimate fate was one of the biggest surprises in history.
Miyoshi Umeki was the first Asian actress to receive an Academy Award for acting—but almost 20 years later, she did something unspeakable to her trophy.
Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia was a disastrous saga of brutal battles, blistering heat, and bitter cold that ultimately shattered his empire. From reports of cannibalism to walls built out of corpses, this was Napoleon’s nightmare.