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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.

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.

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.

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”.

Maria Theresa ruled the Habsburg Empire for 40 years. Her reign began timidly, and she opted to defer to the supposed expertise of the men around her. But it was only when she began to reject the advice of these men, instead trusting her own intuition, that she came into her own as a powerful and capable leader. Today, she’s hailed as the last great Habsburg monarch—but few remember the dark deeds she committed on her path to greatness.

Few people outside of experienced English history buffs are familiar with the name Henry II. Despite rising to power through blood and conflict, and then proceeding to reign in the same manner as he had started, many people forget Henry II. His ruthlessness expanded England’s power well into France’s borders, and it caused Henry problems when he passed that same trait on to his power-hungry sons. Henry II shaped not just England but Wales, Scotland, Brittany, and Ireland. He became the man with a plan—and only his sons could stop his rampage across Europe.

Christopher Columbus has a legacy full of the highs and lows of over five hundred years of history. Yet for all his fame and infamy, few people still know the whole story, or just how dark it gets. This explorer didn’t just controversially put America on his map, he also suffered through a myriad of personal tragedies and disturbing vices—and made others suffer in their turn.

For most people, the Hilton family gained global fame in the early 2000s when Paris Hilton emerged as a celebrated socialite and minor celebrity. However, the Hiltons’ wealth and prestige extend far beyond Paris and her little purse-bound chihuahua. The story of the Hiltons spans generations and is marked by shocking twists and turns. So, buckle up, settle in, and let’s discover where the Hiltons came from, how they rose to power, and what secrets they have buried in their closets.

Whether drawing his story from the Bible or examining the more secular sources on his life, it’s clear that a significant part of Herod the Great’s legacy stems from his insecurities as king. Thrust into power, he was willing to stop at nothing to safeguard his rule, including either the appeasement or execution of anyone who disagreed with him. This desire to constantly improve his reputation remained with him—right up to his grisly end.

Countless accounts from the mid-6th century describe a world plunged into darkness, with famine, plague, and despair spreading across continents. For a long time, historians dismissed them as dramatic exaggerations. But new evidence suggests 536 AD may not just have been bad—it might have been the worst time in history to be alive.