Hart Island is America’s largest public cemetery—sometimes known as a “potter’s field.” The island has no headstones or plaques, just... more

When it comes to the space race, we all know names like Neil Armstrong and Yuri Gagarin. But in most... more

Humanity isn't great at eradicating diseases. But there is one disease that humanity has managed to eradicate: smallpox.Smallpox was around... more

Most beauty pageants promote the fantasy of the ideal woman. But for 35 years, one contest in New York City... more

This year marks 90 years since Claude Ely wrote "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down." The song was... more

This month marks 30 years since Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected president. However, the story of Mandela's... more

50 years ago, radio broadcaster Studs Terkel published a book called WORKING: People Talk About What They Do All Day,... more

Paul Alexander, one of two people in the U.S. still relying on an iron lung to survive, died on March... more

We’re revisiting one of our favorite stories from years ago — with a new twist. Laura Rothenberg spent most of... more

In 1921, a man named Harry Pace started the first major Black-owned record company in the United States. He called... more