The roots of museums reach back thousands of years. From Mesopotamian princesses to Renaissance aristocrats, humans have long been drawn to collect, preserve, and display the material traces of their world. But exactly how old is this tradition? And which institution deserves the title of the first museum in history? An Ancient Princess’s Collection The earliest evidence of what we might recognize as a museum comes from the city of Ur, in modern-day Iraq. Once a flourishing port on the Eu...| History Facts
“They don’t make them like they used to.” You’ve likely heard this common refrain or even said it yourself before. Maybe it was a grumble about modern disposability, but perhaps it was a wistful reflection on how many parts of daily life have changed. Old houses in particular can be full of reminders of how life once looked. Over the years, some domestic features that made sense for their eras have faded away as habits, technology, and tastes evolved. Here are seven once-common hous...| History Facts
For generations, American children learned to loop their letters into graceful, flowing words. Notes passed in class, signatures practiced on notebooks, the elegance of a handwritten letter — all of it once depended on cursive. Yet for much of the last two decades, cursive seemed destined to fade into history. The decline was especially sharp after 2010, when cursive was omitted from the Common Core education standards. Typing skills were prioritized instead, and many schools quietly droppe...| History Facts
Since the establishment of the office in 1789, 45 people have served in 47 presidencies. Each president has brought their own brand of political discourse to the role, and historians tend to remember these leaders primarily for their major historical achievements and policy decisions. But behind the presidents’ political legacies lie plenty of lesser-known details we don’t hear about as often, whether it’s a past life as an executioner, a penchant for skinny-dipping, or a fierce disli...| History Facts
Most people know Albert Einstein as the face of genius, but there was much more to this famous figure than his groundbreaking work in physics. The German-born, Nobel Prize-winning scientist was curious, compassionate, and principled, and he thought deeply about what it means to live a purposeful, ethical life. These weren’t just abstract ideas — they were guiding principles that informed much of what he did and spoke about. Here, distilled from the many nuggets of wisdom Einstein shared o...| History Facts
Seventy years ago, Elvis was shaking up the airwaves, Lucille Ball had Americans laughing in their living rooms, and Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower were charting very different visions for a postwar United States. The space race was just beginning to heat up and prosperity fueled a culture of optimism for many. It was a decade of technological innovation and imagination, with a flood of brand-new gadgets, fashions, and conveniences promising to make everyday life sleeker, fa...| History Facts
Covered bridges are an idyllic symbol of rural America. These charming, often hand-built structures have been romanticized in popular culture for years, from Thomas Kinkade’s painting “The Old Covered Bridge” to the novel (and film adaptation) The Bridges of Madison County. Despite their dispensability in the age of concrete and steel, these old wooden bridges continue to be beloved landmarks, their distinct roofs making them easily recognizable even today. But what exactly led to their...| History Facts
For generations, American children learned to loop their letters into graceful, flowing words. Notes passed in class, signatures practiced on notebooks, the elegance of a handwritten letter — all of it once depended on cursive. Yet for much of the last two decades, cursive seemed destined to fade into history. The decline was especially sharp after 2010, when cursive was omitted from the Common Core education standards. Typing skills were prioritized instead, and many schools quietly droppe...| History Facts
The invention of the bathing suit as a tasteful, stylish outfit specifically for water-based leisure may go as far back as ancient Rome.| History Facts
