history

The True Story Behind The FBI’s Martin Luther King Tapes And The Disturbing ‘Suicide Letter’

In 1964, the FBI tried to blackmail Martin Luther King Jr. into ending his civil rights campaign with a letter that threatened to expose proof of his extramarital affairs — and apparently even encouraged him to kill himself.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 16, 2020

The True Story Behind The FBI’s Martin Luther King Tapes And The Disturbing ‘Suicide Letter’

In 1964, the FBI tried to blackmail Martin Luther King Jr. into ending his civil rights campaign with a letter that threatened to expose proof of his extramarital affairs — and apparently even encouraged him to kill himself.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 16, 2020

Tommaso Buscetta Was The First Sicilian Mobster To Break The Code Of Silence — And Lived To Tell The Tale

After losing two of his sons, a son-in-law, a brother, and a nephew to the Mafia, Tommaso Buscetta became the first Sicilian mobster to break the Cosa Nostra's deadly serious code of silence known as omertà.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 16, 2020

Tommaso Buscetta Was The First Sicilian Mobster To Break The Code Of Silence — And Lived To Tell The Tale

After losing two of his sons, a son-in-law, a brother, and a nephew to the Mafia, Tommaso Buscetta became the first Sicilian mobster to break the Cosa Nostra's deadly serious code of silence known as omertà.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 16, 2020

How French ‘Casket Girls’ Were Forced Into The New World To ‘Tame’ The Male Settlers

In the 1700s, there were too many men and not enough women in France's Louisiana territory. So King Louis XIV devised a "solution."

By Andrew Milne • Jan 14, 2020

How French ‘Casket Girls’ Were Forced Into The New World To ‘Tame’ The Male Settlers

In the 1700s, there were too many men and not enough women in France's Louisiana territory. So King Louis XIV devised a "solution."

By Andrew Milne • January 14, 2020

Franz Stigler, Charlie Brown, And A Friendship Born From The Horror Of War

When Luftwaffe pilot Franz Stigler had American bomber Charlie Brown's defenseless plane in his sights in 1943, he not only let him go but then escorted him out of danger. A half-century later, the two men became close friends.

By Joseph Williams • Jan 14, 2020

Franz Stigler, Charlie Brown, And A Friendship Born From The Horror Of War

When Luftwaffe pilot Franz Stigler had American bomber Charlie Brown's defenseless plane in his sights in 1943, he not only let him go but then escorted him out of danger. A half-century later, the two men became close friends.

By Joseph Williams • January 14, 2020

Christopher Columbus Claimed He Encountered Marauding Tribes Of Cannibals — And It Might Actually Be True

By analyzing 103 skulls of early Caribbean inhabitants, experts were able to reassess when and where they settled. This, in turn, lent credence to Columbus' infamous tales of cannibalism.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 14, 2020

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Christopher Columbus Claimed He Encountered Marauding Tribes Of Cannibals — And It Might Actually Be True

By analyzing 103 skulls of early Caribbean inhabitants, experts were able to reassess when and where they settled. This, in turn, lent credence to Columbus' infamous tales of cannibalism.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 14, 2020

Meet Maryam Khatoon Molkara, The Trans Activist Who Helped Legalize Gender-Confirming Surgeries In Iran

Despite facing the conservative culture of 1980s Iran, Maryam Molkara helped convince the nation’s leader to make sex reassignment procedures legal — a legacy that remains to this day.

By Natasha Ishak • Jan 13, 2020

Meet Maryam Khatoon Molkara, The Trans Activist Who Helped Legalize Gender-Confirming Surgeries In Iran

Despite facing the conservative culture of 1980s Iran, Maryam Molkara helped convince the nation’s leader to make sex reassignment procedures legal — a legacy that remains to this day.

By Natasha Ishak • January 13, 2020

The Great Stork Derby: When A Millionaire Held A Baby-Making Race For His Fortune

When Charles Millar died childless in 1926, he bequeathed his fortune to whichever woman could bear the most children in a 10-year span. What followed was a baby boom the likes of which Canada had never seen.

By Sienna Vittoria Asselin • Jan 12, 2020

The Great Stork Derby: When A Millionaire Held A Baby-Making Race For His Fortune

When Charles Millar died childless in 1926, he bequeathed his fortune to whichever woman could bear the most children in a 10-year span. What followed was a baby boom the likes of which Canada had never seen.

By Sienna Vittoria Asselin • January 12, 2020

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Helped Desegregate New York City Streetcars 100 Years Before Rosa Parks

Elizabeth Jennings Graham was told to get off the trolley and wait for one with "her people" on it. She said she didn't have people and refused to get off.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 11, 2020

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Helped Desegregate New York City Streetcars 100 Years Before Rosa Parks

Elizabeth Jennings Graham was told to get off the trolley and wait for one with "her people" on it. She said she didn't have people and refused to get off.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 11, 2020

The Mysterious Death of Thelma Todd, Hollywood’s ‘Ice Cream Blonde’

Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Although her death was ruled a suicide, many believe she was actually murdered.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Jan 10, 2020

The Mysterious Death of Thelma Todd, Hollywood’s ‘Ice Cream Blonde’

Thelma Todd was one of early Hollywood's brightest stars — until she was found dead in 1935. Although her death was ruled a suicide, many believe she was actually murdered.

By Jaclyn Anglis • January 10, 2020

This Week In History News, Jan. 5 – 11

Additional warriors of China's ancient Terracotta Army found, mystery of intact 2,600-year-old human brain solved, century-old headless body from Idaho cave identified.

By All That's Interesting • Jan 10, 2020

News

This Week In History News, Jan. 5 – 11

Additional warriors of China's ancient Terracotta Army found, mystery of intact 2,600-year-old human brain solved, century-old headless body from Idaho cave identified.

By All That's Interesting • January 10, 2020

Three Generations Of Ancient Amazon Women Warriors Discovered In A Russian Tomb

Items found with the skeletons — including iron arrowheads, horse harnesses, and a broken vase — helped researchers trace back the burial to the 4th century B.C.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 10, 2020

News

Three Generations Of Ancient Amazon Women Warriors Discovered In A Russian Tomb

Items found with the skeletons — including iron arrowheads, horse harnesses, and a broken vase — helped researchers trace back the burial to the 4th century B.C.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 10, 2020