Category Archives: articles

Written to be performed live, a medieval minstrel’s jokes poked fun at the powerful If you’ve ever played the video game “Skyrim”or watched a Monty Python sketch, you’ve probably encountered medieval minstrels, performers who entertained audiences with stories, songs and stunts.  But despite how often such characters appear in fiction, scholars know very little about whatContinue reading “Medieval Manuscript Reveals 15th-Century Comedy Routine”

The Dutch National Archives released a map supposedly leading to the trove of jewelry, coins and precious stones in January Early on May 1, a team of archaeologists got to work in the Dutch village of Ommeren, roughly 50 miles southeast of Amsterdam. With the help of a magnetometer and a mechanical digger, they soughtContinue reading “What Happened to the Treasure Nazis Buried in This Dutch Village?”

From an ultramarathon capital in the Rockies to a laid-back village in the Florida Keys, these vibrant towns are calling your name Once again, it’s time to slow down our pace and look at those things that make America’s small towns grand: the opening of a new museum that’s been seven years in the making,Continue reading “The 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2023”

Likely the child of Martha’s son from her first marriage, William Costin used his position to advocate for D.C.’s free Black community In 1842, one of the most respected residents of Washington, D.C. died in his sleep at age 62. Prominent peers had previously described him as “upright” and “honorable”; his obituary stated that he possessed “unflinchingContinue reading “Did Martha Washington Have a Black Grandson?”

Whether it makes financial sense to pay off your mortgage depends on your individual situation. Here are some things to consider. If you’re like most people, paying off your mortgage and entering retirement debt-free sounds pretty appealing. It’s a significant accomplishment and the end of a major monthly expense. However, for some homeowners, their financialContinue reading “Should You Pay Off a Mortgage Before You Retire?”

Even on a budget, your home can feel like a high-end property with the right organization. These pantry organization ideas will have your guests fooled – and your wallet thanking you. Read on for inspiration. Decorative pantry door handle Start with the door to your pantry. If it’s off-kilter or has an outdated knob, itContinue reading “11 budget-friendly pantry organization ideas that look expensive.”

Travel budgets are under pressure. On one hand, high demand for flights, car rentals, and cruises is pushing prices up, according to AAA. On the other, historically high levels of inflation have made for eye-watering increases in food and fuel costs. But with careful planning, you can make the most of your travel dollars. “Your vacationContinue reading “5 Ways to Save Money When Traveling Domestically”

The 3,700-year-old tool is made of flint, a material that doesn’t occur naturally in the Scandinavian country For Elise, a student at Our Children’s School in Osøyro, Norway, a recent trip to the playground brought a special surprise—and international attention. The 8-year-old girl was outside with her classmates when she bent down to pick up a strayContinue reading “Eight-Year-Old Norwegian Girl Discovers Neolithic Dagger at School Playground”

Was the famous author killed from a beating? From carbon monoxide poisoning? From alcohol withdrawal? Here are the top nine theories It was raining in Baltimore on October 3, 1849, but that didn’t stop Joseph W. Walker, a compositor for the Baltimore Sun, from heading out to Gunner’s Hall, a public house bustling with activity. It wasContinue reading “The (Still) Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe”

The interactive tool enables users to home in on a specific location and visualize how it has evolved between the Cryogenian period and the present Some 240 million years ago, the patch of land that would one day become the National Mall was part of an enormous supercontinent known as Pangea. Encompassing nearly all of Earth’sContinue reading “This Map Lets You Plug in Your Address to See How It’s Changed Over the Past 750 Million Years”