Silver Mines of Potosi
In 1545, the discovery of silver at the small South American village of Potosi would change the world. Over the next quarter of a century, 150,000 tons of silver would be extracted from the Potosi min...
29 Apr 17min
Gregorian Calendar
Every single day has something in common. It has a date, whether that is July 4, October 7, or even the rare February 29. And that is thanks to the calendar, known as the Gregorian Calendar, and used ...
28 Apr 18min
Piasa - Monster of the Mississippi
According to legend, near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, there is a monster. It has horns like a deer, terrible red eyes, a long, twisting tail, and is covered in scales. This ...
27 Apr 19min
Hopewell Earthworks
For several hundred years across the Ohio River Valley a civilization we know as the Hopewell Culture moved a lot of dirt. This dirt was moved into mounds and earthworks built with extreme precision ...
24 Apr 18min
El Palo Alto
In 1769, a Spanish explorer camped under a tall, distinctive redwood tree along the banks of the San Francisquito Creek. Little did he know that tree would go on to become a living landmark - and the ...
23 Apr 17min
The Original Ponzi Scheme
It takes a special art to get something named after you, positive or negative. Such is the case with the Ponzi scheme - one of the largest and most successful scams of all time. Charles Ponzi orchestr...
22 Apr 21min
Indestructible Jack Lucas
In 1942, 14-year old Jack Lucas lied about his age to join the Marines - even bribing a notary to attest he was 17. Tired of missing out on the action, he later abandoned his unit to join another mari...
21 Apr 13min
The East German Hot Air Balloon Escape
In September of 1979, two East German families escaped to the west using a very unconventional method - a hot air balloon. It was an escape that required failed prototypes, a near disaster, and raw gu...
20 Apr 19min
