In Retrospect, These Popes Probably Weren’t the Best Popes

You know there’s a new pope, but did you know about these quirky popes from centuries ago?

Mayday! It’s May Day!

Here are the origins of “May Day” – as a spring celebration, a holiday honoring workers, and as a distress signal.

One-Book Wonders: Famous Authors Who Only Wrote One Novel

It’s the birthday of Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird. She’s a literary one-hit wonder, just like these other authors who only needed to publish one hit novel.

Peeps, Crème Eggs, and Chocolate Bunnies: Where Easter Candy Comes From

Every wonder why we eat marshmallow rabbits, pretend eggs, and chocolate bunnies at Easter? Here the origins of those seasonal treats.

The Myth-Stories of Spring

You think you know how spring works, but you don’t. Here are some myths about the science of spring, throughly debunked.

5 of the Best April Fool’s Day Pranks of All Time

There’s an art to pranking, and throughout history, a few people and groups understood the assignment and staged some epic April Fools’ Day stunts.

Plants Gone Wild!

Plants, trees, flowers, and fruits: They can behave very strangely, all in the name of survival.

That Almost Looks Like Baseball

It’s baseball season again, and everyone out there will be playing the same version of a sport that outlasted some wild variations.

The Jane Austen You Never Knew

Happy 250th birthday Jane Austen! Here’s some trivia about the life and work of one the greatest novelists of all time.

5 Fantabulous Thingamajigs You Didn’t Know About Dr. Seuss

You love Dr. Seuss. You know Dr. Seuss. But how much do you really know about Dr. Seuss? The facts are these.

Uncle John is Serving Up Hot Breakfast Facts

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so these origin stories of classic, hot breakfast foods must be pretty important, too.

You’re Going to Love This Love Words Quiz

There are many ways to say “I love you” in all of its different forms — here’s a quiz about some of history’s most forgotten terms of endearment.

‘Harry Potter,’ Starring Hugh Grant and Kate Winslet

As the Harry Potter movies head back into movie theaters, let’s look back at some of the actors who almost got roles in the series (but didn’t).

When the Super Bowl Got Super Strange

A look into the history of the Super Bowl, and the weirdest, goofiest, and most unpredictable moments that ever took place on the NFL’s biggest stage.

Great and Impactful Black Authors You Might Not Know About

In honor of Black History Month, here are some overlooked and under-heralded African-American writers and authors.

The How and Why of Inauguration Day Traditions

Here are the origins of the most storied events and traditions that happen every Inauguration Day.

The Twisted Life of Edgar Allan Poe

Some little-known episodes, formative events, and creative inspirations from the life of America’s greatest author of dark fiction, Edgar Allan Poe.

Hobbies: Costly, Hard, and Tough to Find

Those who participate in the most popular hobbies seek out these things the most.