Ken Allen, an orangutan at the San Diego Zoo in the 1980s, became famous for his repeated escapes, calm strolls through the zoo, and apparent grudge against a rival.
Ejnar Mikkelsen: 5 Things You Didn’t Know
Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen spent 2.5 years stranded in Greenland. Here are 5 surprising facts about his ordeal, his partner Iver Iversen, and why it mattered.
Alexander I’s Giant Granite Bathtub in Tsarskoye Selo
How a 160-ton Finnish granite block became Alexander I of Russia’s colossal bathtub at Babolovsky Palace, and what this strange object says about imperial power.
80s Montreal Parties vs Today’s Social Media Life
They look similar because people still gather, drink, and pose. But 1980s Montreal birthday parties and today’s social media culture grew from very different worlds.
What If Diocletian Never Retired to Grow Cabbages?
Roman emperor Diocletian famously retired in 305 AD to grow cabbages. What if he had stayed in power or returned? Three grounded scenarios and why one matters most.
The Huế Massacre and the Human Cost of Tet
Explainer of the Huế Massacre during the Tet Offensive: what happened, why thousands of civilians were killed, who ordered it, and why it still matters today.
Roman Gold in a Soapstone Jar: 5 Things It Tells Us
A soapstone jar packed with Roman gold coins was found in Como, Italy. Here are 5 things this hoard reveals about late Roman money, fear, and power.
5 Of The World’s Most Precious Lost Treasures
Treasures come in all shapes and sizes. The most renowned jewels in the world are well … 5 Of The World’s Most Precious Lost TreasuresRead more
What the Founding Fathers Would Fight About Today
If the Founding Fathers were alive today, what would they care about most? A historian looks at their writings to map their likely modern priorities.
They Look Similar: 1920s Traffic Chaos vs Today
Why do 1920s street scenes look familiar yet wrong to modern eyes? A comparison of early car-era traffic and today’s road rules, methods, outcomes, and legacy.