There are few serial killers in history that are more infamous than Jack the Ripper. Even now, his names can send shivers down the spine of anyone familiar with the case. His identity is one of the greatest mysteries of all time. On the other side of the Atlantic, active at nearly the same time […]
Why do people believe H.H. Holmes was Jack the Ripper? Read More »
Dark, caramel-brown, and bubbly, Coca-Cola is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Over the decades of its existence, Coca-Cola has gone from a simple medicinal fountain drink to a worldwide phenomenon. Everyone, everywhere, knows Coca-Cola. But even the greatest innovations have to start somewhere, and more often than not, those beginnings can
John Pemberton: The drug-addled mind behind Coca-Cola Read More »
The Empire State Building has long been the pinnacle of the New York City skyline. And like the rest of the city, it has a deep, fascinating history – one that many have never heard of. Hidden within its towering facade lies a remarkable tale. It is one of both tragedy and resilience that reverberated
The Empire State Building Plane Crash of 1945 Read More »
In times of war, the movement of soldiers often leaves trails of death and destruction in its wake. But rarely, they happen to leave behind small acts of humor and mischief. “Kilroy Was Here” was one such mark. A simple phrase accompanied by a cartoonish drawing of a man peering over a wall. This graffiti
Exploring the Enduring Legacy of “Kilroy Was Here” Read More »
The term “ghost town” is used to describe a town quickly erected for a lucrative industry, which just as rapidly is abandoned once the source of wealth dries up. Usually, these are towns out West that sprung up during the gold rush in the 1800s, but what does a modern ghost town look like? Centralia,
Centralia, PA: America’s Hottest Ghost Town Read More »
Between 1900 and 1903, jockey James Winkfield rode in four consecutive Kentucky Derbies. He finished third, first, first, and second. In 1901 alone, he won somewhere between 160 and 220 races (depending on the source). But despite his extraordinary, natural talent as a jockey, Winkfield received little recognition from within or without the horse-racing community.
The Last Black Jockey to Win the Kentucky Derby:James Winkfield Read More »
The strange and tragic history of Japan’s attempt to bomb the United States during World War II began with a summer picnic. It began just outside the small town of Bly, Oregon, on a secluded forest road. Reverend Archie Mitchell was with his wife Elsie and five children from their Sunday school class at the
The Unforgettable Impact of Japanese Fire Balloons During WWII Read More »
In the late 1960s, amid the so-called “Hippie” counterculture movement taking place in the US, a charismatic minister named Duane Pederson came onto the scene. He preached Christianity to the generation known for promiscuous sex, mind-expanding drugs, and pulsating Rock music. A self-described “Jesus Freak,” Pederson drew comparisons between the Hippies’ message of peace and
The Jesus Freaks: Origins of the Religious Countercultural Movement Read More »
The Florence Supermax prison, known as the “Alcatraz of the Rockies,” is what one former prison warden called a “clean version of hell.” It’s a massive complex that houses the world’s most dangerous criminals. Anyone from Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman to Ted Kaczynski can be found in this concrete cage nestled in a remote part
Inside One of the Roughest Prisons in the World: Florence Supermax Prison Read More »
In the deep, shadowy depths of American history, few organizations have captured the public imagination, stirring up fear and apprehension, quite like the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Whether its agents were tracking down notorious outlaws in the Wild West, infiltrating unions, backroom negotiations, or working to protect the life of the President, the Pinkertons were a
The History of the Pinkerton Detective Agency: America’s Premier Private Detectives Read More »
