News | HISTORY

The Plane Crash That Killed JFK Jr.

In 1999, the son of the famous president died, along with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette, when the plane JFK Jr. was piloting crashed into the ocean.

US Vice Presidents Who Went on to Become President

While the vice presidency may seem like a prime launching pad, only 15 U.S. VPs have advanced to the highest office.

When Young Ancient Greek Women Raced at Olympia

Like the Olympic Games, the Heraia race was held every four years, likely as part of a prenuptial initiation ritual.

What Is a Brokered Convention?

The history of U.S. presidential elections is filled with political conventions that were anything but predictable.

9 Drag Queens Who Made History

There is a long history of performers using clothing, makeup and hairstyles to express gender. These were among the first to make waves.

The 1930s Athlete Who Broke the Gender Barrier

Czech track star Zdeněk Koubek had already set a world record when he announced in 1935 that he was going to be living as a man.

7 Juneteenth Foods and Traditions

From eating red foods to promoting activism, Juneteenth traditions pay tribute to the liberation of America’s enslaved.

Why Americans Have a Right to Trial by Jury

John Adams said the right to a trial by jury, along with representative government, serve as “the heart and lungs of liberty.”

The Olympic Torch Relay’s Surprising Nazi Origins

The ritual of the Olympic torch relay originated not in ancient Greece, but in Nazi Germany.

On the Ground on D-Day: 5 Stories – Videos

On June 6, 1944, more than 156,000 American, British and Canadian troops executed the largest amphibious landing in history. Five veterans share their stories from that day.

What Are the Qualifications to Be President of the United States?

Framers of the Constitution identified just three requirements. Constitutional amendments in 1868 and 1951 added two more.

How Ancient Egypt Advanced Medicine

For millennia, ancient Egyptian doctors were trailblazers—and evidence detected on skulls suggests its doctors may have even attempted to treat cancer.