“We have rules. Without them, we live with the animals.” These are the words that govern the criminal world at the heart of the John Wick movies. It is also the philosophy […]
That Time New Yorkers Rioted Over Straw Hats
New Yorkers Are More Dangerous Biters Than Sharks
No one wants to run into a shark while swimming. A shark’s bite can definitely ruin your day. There is, however, another species that seems far more likely to take a chomp […]
TV’s Historic and Forgotten ‘The Television Ghost’
It is August 17, 1931, and you are one of the very few who are sufficiently fortunate and wealthy to own the latest technological gizmo. It is a radio that allows you […]
How Freak Shows Revolutionized Medical Care for Babies
Once upon a time, there was a place called Wonderland. No, this is not a story about the mythical place created by Lewis Carrol. The Wonderland of this story was real. It […]
Uncovering The Revolutionary Scandal Of George Washington’s Overdue Books
The words “presidential” and “scandal” unfortunately show up together far too often. It has gotten to the point where it is assumed that every presidential administration will have at least one significant […]
Is the Risk Worth the Reward? Understanding Micromorts and Microlives
When considering whether to do something, do you ever consider the risks? If you knew that one activity would certainly bring an immediate end to your life, you probably would not be […]
The Woman Who Prevented a Suicide and Changed the Course of History
Have you ever heard the name of Helen Niemeyer? Perhaps you would know her by her married name, Helen Hanfstaengl? Probably not. In the crowded pages of history books, there is scarcely […]
Mayor LaGuardia and Justice for a Stolen Loaf of Bread
The bleak, dreary years of the Great Depression brought an energetic, ambitious, and unconventional mayor to the city of New York. Fiorello H. LaGuardia (1882-1947) swept into office, following successive mayors who […]
The World’s Largest Gold Depository Is Under the Streets of Manhattan
When you think of Fort Knox, you can’t help but think about gold. That’s with good reason. The U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky is the primary location of the United […]
Shoes, Buildings, Sand, and Cheese — the Outlandish Spending Sprees of Imelda Marcos
Imelda Marcos (born 1929) was the First Lady of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. She made a name for herself as one of the biggest spendthrifts of all time, taking the […]
Thank the Creator of the Headless Horseman for Your Favorite American Christmas Traditions
There are certain people who figure prominently in the development of Christmas traditions. What would Christmas be like without Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Thomas Nast’s depiction of Santa, or Clement Moore’s immortal […]
Meet the Man Who Sold the Brooklyn Bridge Over 3,000 Times
If a stranger approached you, saying, “Hey, Buddy…. I have a bridge to sell. Are you interested?” Odds are that you would quickly put your hand over your wallet and hurry away. […]
How Did a 25-inch Parcel of Land Become New York’s Smallest Piece of Real Estate?
New York City is a place where everything is big. It is the Big Apple. It has enormous skyscrapers. It is the largest city in the United States. Its rental prices are […]
Warnings for Those Who Fail to Read the Fine Print
Are you one of those people who reads every word of the documents you sign? The vast majority of the population cannot be bothered to peruse the HIPAA disclosures at the doctor’s […]
The Foul Story of Baseball’s Unluckiest Fan
The baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Giants on August 17, 1957, is one for the history books. What made the game so memorable wasn’t anything like a […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 