They called it the future of humane execution, but William Kemmler proved otherwise. After brutally murdering his wife with a hatchet, he became the first person to die in the electric chair on August 6, 1890. This is the story Thomas Edison never wanted told.

In April 1939, Franklin Roosevelt sent Adolf Hitler a list of countries he urged Germany not to attack. This was Hitler’s response. Just months later, in September 1939, World War II erupted.

In April 1939, Franklin Roosevelt sent Adolf Hitler a list of countries he urged Germany not to attack. This was Hitler’s response. Just months later, in September 1939, World War II erupted.

Motherfucker Johnny

Cyntoia Brown Long, born 1988, was trafficked at 16. She shot Johnny Allen, who paid her $150 for sex, claiming self-defense. Brown was convicted and sentenced to life in prison as a minor, serving 15 years before clemency.

In 1980s, "Weird Al" Yankovic turned down a $5 million beer endorsement deal, which would be worth around $14.5 million today, because he felt it was unethical given his young, impressionable fanbase.

In 1980s, "Weird Al" Yankovic turned down a $5 million beer endorsement deal, which would be worth around $14.5 million today, because he felt it was unethical given his young, impressionable fanbase.

In 2019, Dr. Katie Bouman, a computer scientist with no prior expertise in black holes, developed the algorithm that transformed telescopic data into the first-ever image of a black hole, making history.

In September 2024, during Hurricane Helene, a couple and their grandson were photographed by the boy's mom on their roof in Asheville, NC, as floodwaters rose. Tragically, the roof collapsed, and all three drowned.

In September 2024, during Hurricane Helene, a couple and their grandson were photographed by the boy's mom on their roof in Asheville, NC, as floodwaters rose. Tragically, the roof collapsed, and all three drowned.

Map of all of the sunken Japanese ships of WWII

Map of all of the sunken Japanese ships of WWII

From 1932 to 1972, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study lured Black men with false promises of treatment. Instead, doctors watched as syphilis ravaged their bodies, leaving them to suffer and die, all for the sake of "science."

From 1932 to 1972, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study lured Black men with false promises of treatment. Instead, doctors watched as syphilis ravaged their bodies, leaving them to suffer and die, all for the sake of "science."

A 7th-century skeleton shows a rare "coffin birth," where gas buildup after death pushed a fetus partially out of its mother’s pelvis.

In 2018, 16-year-old Karlie Gusé went to a party where she reportedly smoked marijuana and experienced a bad reaction throughout the night. Frightened, she called her stepmother to pick her up. However, in the early morning hours, Karlie disappeared from her home and has not been seen since.

Louis Wain's drawings of cats during his descent into schizophrenia in 1924.

Louis Wain's drawings of cats during his descent into schizophrenia in 1924.

In 1953, during "Operation Doorstep," the U.S. government placed eerie mannequins of families in various spots within houses in a fake town built in the Nevada desert. The project aimed to test whether wooden-frame homes, cars, and mannequins could withstand a nuclear explosion.

In 2023, France saw massive protests against raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. Citizens and unions decried the reform as unjust, leading to nationwide strikes and unrest.

This is the last selfie of the Chundawat family, taken before they committed ritualistic mass suicide in their Delhi home on July 1, 2018.

In 2016, Daniel Shaver, an unarmed man, was shot and killed by police in a hotel hallway despite complying with their commands.

In July 1913, a Mongolian woman, condemned to die of starvation for alleged adultery, reaches out through the porthole of the crate where she is imprisoned.

In 1999, Robert Downey Jr. was sentenced to three years in prison after being caught driving his Porsche naked, with cocaine, heroin, and a gun in his possession.

The Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi, India, has an unusual feature — one of its 70 granite pillars in the Dance Hall doesn’t touch the floor. You can even slide a cloth under it from one side to the other. Built in the 16th century, it’s a fascinating example of ancient architecture.

In 1936, FDR won South Carolina with an incredible 98.57% of the vote, leaving Landon with just 1,646 votes out of nearly 120,000. This remains the most lopsided result in a contested state. The South was firmly Democratic at the time, and FDR’s New Deal policies resonated deeply with voters.

A young George W. Bush chats with Vladimir Putin while both rock traditional Vietnamese 'ao dai' silk tunics during the official photo for the APEC Summit in Hanoi on November 19, 2006.

This is a photo from the 1910 North Dakota Blizzard, where a house is almost completely buried in snow.