Chinese water torture, often likened to a relentless dripping faucet in the still of the night, has been etched into history as a horrifying practice, its chilling notoriety accentuated by Houdini’s exhilarating, death-defying renditions.

It was an incident involving Charles Dickens that led to a step forward in female emancipation and the formation of Sorosis, the first women’s club, at the famous Delmonico’s restaurant in New York.

James Jameson, grandson and heir of Jameson Irish whiskey magnate John Jameson, was an esteemed nineteenth-century naturalist. He would become infamous for his alleged role in the murder and cannibalization of a young African girl.

The gap in our knowledge of medieval underwear is due partly to the poor preservation of organic materials and the lack of visual evidence. Clearly, there’s still a lot to uncover.

A tale of six Sultans and suspicious successions led to what’s become known as the shortest war in history, the Anglo-Zanzibar War, which lasted approximately 38 minutes.

Controversy still surrounds the explosion and sinking of the USS Maine in 1898, which signalled US intervention in the Cuban War of Independence with the rallying cry “Remember The Maine!”

The CIA heart attack gun is rumored to have been able to deliver a lethal dose of poison to a target without leaving any evidence of foul play. But did it actually exist? And what did the KGB got to do with it?

The chilling wail produced by the Aztec death whistle, likely used as a psychological weapon for intimidation in warfare or during their ritualistic human sacrifices, certainly illuminates why it garnered its haunting name, embodying the very essence of fear and death.

Diving into the cheerful phrase ‘Happy as Larry,’ this piece explores its curious origins tied to an Australian boxing legend, a Cornish slang term, and a 19th-century New Zealand writer, illuminating the whimsical, complex tapestry of English idiomatic expressions.

Spring-heeled Jack, the spectral terror of Victorian London, embodies the power of folklore and public fear. His tale underscores the press’s role in shaping legends, reminding us how deeply-rooted anxieties can give life to enduring, spine-chilling myths.

Despite its deceptive moniker, the ten-gallon hat—iconic Stetson headwear—far from containing a voluminous ten gallons, holds an esteemed place in the symbolic heritage of cowboy culture, its timeless appeal rooted in the rugged heart of the American West.

Originating from 19th-century nautical literature, the phrase “shiver me timbers” may refer to a ship’s wooden frame splintering during heavy seas or combat. Used extensively in fiction, its authentic use by pirates, while probable, remains a captivating point of linguistic speculation.

Though last to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, Texas was first to officially recognize Juneteenth in 1979. Today, its relevance echoes in our ongoing racial justice conversations, symbolizing a journey toward freedom and equality still very much in progress.

The Great Emu War of 1932 saw Australia’s military pitted against emus that wreaked havoc on Western Australian farms. Initially unsuccessful, the battle turned with a bounty system, reminding us of the emus’ resilience and marking a peculiar moment in history.

Discover the man behind the myth, Ulrich von Liechtenstein, immortalized by Heath Ledger in A Knight’s Tale. His true life brimmed with audacious exploits that rival, perhaps even eclipse, his Hollywood rendition. Dare to uncover the Knight’s Tale untold!

In Indian mythology, the god Indra rescues the world by killing an evil serpent with a thunderbolt. In Norse mythology, Thor famously slays the serpent Jörmungandr with thunder. This similarity is one tantalizing clue to the fact that the mythologies and languages of Europe and India share a common source—a lost culture about which we know little, but owe much.

The 17th-century plague doctor costume, recognizable by its eerie bird-like mask and wide-brimmed hat, offered critical protection during pandemics. A symbol of a bygone era, this peculiar attire served a sobering purpose—insulating doctors from rampant disease.

“Mad Jack” Churchill, a singular figure of WWII, is renowned as the lone soldier to eliminate an adversary using a longbow. Famed for his adaptability, he was equally adept wielding a Scottish broadsword when his preferred weapon was unavailable.