Articles

In the last 10 years, developments in DNA analysis have completely revolutionized how we see the human past. Working with archaeologists, anthropologists, and language experts, we’ve discovered some mind-blowing stuff just in the last few years that have changed how we see our species. Here is some of the coolest research on DNA from our

It may have been over 400 years since she reigned over England, but Queen Elizabeth I is known as one of the most notorious female figures in history. During the first Elizabethan era, England was established as a major power in politics, commerce, and the arts. Born as the second daughter of Henry VIII and

Remoteness from other parts of the world, frigid or fierce currents, and the presence of sharks are some of the obstacles that make an escape from island prisons difficult, if not impossible. However, these same conditions make such locations ideal for prisons, especially those set aside for incarcerating the worst among violent, predatory killers, rapists,

There are many conspiracies surrounding UFO research, but some of the most intriguing surround some of the researchers themselves, more specifically, their deaths. According to some, there have been several deaths, either from natural causes or from suicide, that investigators might wish to take another look at. With accusations of suicides covering up murder to

When it came out in 1999, The Matrix was a film for the record books. With incredible performances from actors Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishbourne, cutting-edge special effects, unbelievable action scenes, and an undeniably good soundtrack, The Matrix quickly took the world by storm. But lurking beneath the surface of these praiseworthy aspects of the

I think everyone has been in a similar situation; your enthusiastic best friend/colleague/sibling is ranting and raving about this amazing film that “you need to watch. Right now!” You have no intention of watching it, especially given that the last recommendation they gave you was rubbish. More to the point, this film features what? Figure

It seems naturism, or naked recreation, was much more appreciated at an earlier time in American history than it is today. Ben Franklin, for instance, enjoyed taking a bath of cold air in his birthday suit and often did so outdoors. Likewise, famed poet Walt Whitman enjoyed naked sunbathing and poetically promoted the joys of

Tales of their courage, valor, and piety have long captured our imaginations. Shrouded in mystery, the knights of the medieval world evoke romantic ideas of a time when noble quests and adventure seemed the norm. Yet, while some of these orders may sound familiar, others escape our attention, even though their power and influence were

Life as a scientist, economist, computer expert, or structural engineer can be pretty boring. Even if you have a natural drive and passion for your subject, it requires grindingly long hours to master these highly complex jobs. Who could blame them for occasionally making up a stupid name and plonking it on one of their

Country estates, castles, and afternoon tea. In recent years there have been several British TV programs that have taken the world by storm and given viewers “insight” into British life. A prime example is the popular Downton Abbey which first aired in 2010. Reaching a total of 120 million viewers worldwide, the show was sold

Freemasons are seen by society in a variety of ways. Some view them as a cult, a brotherhood, a secret society, or even a shadow government. It is said that there are currently millions of Freemasons currently (as many as six million, according to some reports). Due to their secret practices, finding concrete, provable information

National parks are one of America’s greatest and environmentally worthwhile achievements. As many know, the first national park to be established—likely one of the first in the world—was Yellowstone National Park in 1872. This amazing park lies mostly in Wyoming and covers over 2.2 million acres. After its creation, President Theodore Roosevelt would build on

Punxsutawney Phil will soon make his annual weather prediction for at least the 135th time from Gobbler’s Knob in the mountains northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On February 2, Phil will use the presence or absence of his shadow to foretell the early arrival of spring—or not, dooming us to another six weeks of winter. His

Lightspeed, warp speed, we all speed toward the great unknown. Space exploration and space travel aren’t limited to only astronauts. Some, if not all, of the most fascinating discoveries would not have been possible without the use of technology, from space probes to rovers to radio and light waves. Let’s take a closer look at

So often, what’s considered good and bad in art can be dictated by a very small group of people working within very narrow parameters. That’s why outsider art is such an important thing, then. It allows for mediums to grow beyond these constrictions, usually with no fear of being rejected, as so many of the

Around a century ago, the world’s technology was far different from now. Even the most intelligent scientist would have thought the notion of the internet sounded like crazy witchcraft at the time. Automobiles for the ordinary citizen were just becoming widespread, the television had yet to be created, and the internet had yet to be

A good way to live on forever is to become a word. Well, it’s a way for your name to live on, anyway. Chances are, the origin and your legacy will be completely forgotten. People will likely forget the word was ever a name at all. Here are ten surprising eponyms and the unique people

Red, blue, black, or white, every citizen of the United States is part of a united country. But that doesn’t mean some shady things haven’t happened, and we may or may not be proponents of it! Conspiracy theorists have some of the most outrageous ideas, but when coupled with historical events, locations, and political leaders,

We just began another year, and we still don’t know MH370’s final resting place, who Jack the Ripper was, or whether the Alcatraz three really survived their brazen escape. Astronomers are still trying to solve intriguing space mysteries, and scientists are still hoping to find out what caused the Cambrian Explosion. The Ark of the

Have you ever had a crush on the brooding villain? The cavalier killer? There’s something about dark characters in our favorite films and TV shows that just compels the audience to swoon and cheer. Maybe it’s the fact that the characters get to be all of the things viewers harbor inside themselves and see unfold