Was a Violently Racist Carnival Game Once Popular in America?
26 February 2018In the not-so-distant past, white carnival goers threw eggs or balls at African Americans in a game popularly known as "Hit the Nigger Baby."
Tagged "American History"
Lincoln and Kennedy Coincidences
12 June 1999Numerous 'coincidences' between the Lincoln and Kennedy assassinations are not really so amazing.
Were ‘Highway Closed in Event of Enemy Attack’ Signs Posted During the Cold War?
4 August 2017Early 1950s efforts to prepare Americans for nuclear war included the erection of signs giving advance notice of highway closures in the event of attack.
Lawn Jockeys Were Underground Railroad Symbols?
27 January 2016A viral Facebook post described these common lawn ornaments as symbolic aids to escaping slaves on the Underground Railroad, but scant evidence supports that version of history.
The Price They Paid
28 June 2005A popular essay outlines the fates of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, but many of its details are inaccurate.
Were There Irish Slaves in America, Too?
24 September 2016Questionable sources maintain that the plight of so-called "Irish slaves" in early America was worse than that of African slaves. Historians beg to differ.
Did George Washington Have Wooden Teeth?
21 December 2016We cannot tell a lie: George Washington's false teeth weren't made out of wood, though the materials actually used weren't all that appealing, either.
Are John Tyler’s Grandchildren Still Alive?
20 December 2013Two grandchildren of John Tyler, who became U.S. President in 1841, are still with us.
Why Does Washington, D.C., Have No ‘J’ Street?
21 January 2000Old historical legends holds that architect Pierre L'Enfant omitted 'J' Street from his plans for Washington, D.C., because he disliked John Jay.
Native American Student Punished for Refusing to Say Pledge of Allegiance
31 August 2016Leilani Thomas said her teacher docked her grades because she refuses to participate in the daily ritual.
Cocktails Came Out of Prohibition?
14 April 2016A long-running claim that cocktails were an entirely American invention appears to be something of a myth.
Must the President and Vice-President Be from Different States?
History: Many people believe the U.S. constitution requires that presidential and vice-presidential candidates be from different states. Is that really the case?
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Is This Video of a ‘Gyro Drop’ Amusement Park Ride Real?
14 June 2019The "Gyro Drop" is a real amusement park ride, but a popular video of it relies on some imagination.
Did Obama Pledge ‘More Flexibility’ Toward Russia After the 2012 Election?
13 December 2016In 2012, President Obama was overheard over a hot microphone telling President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia he would have "more flexibility" to negotiate with Putin after the election.
Does This Photograph Show Two Boys — One Vaccinated, One Not — Who Were Exposed to Smallpox?
13 June 2018In the early 1900s, Allan Warner documented several cases of smallpox and the effects of vaccinations.
Will Woody Be Openly Bisexual in ‘Toy Story 4?’
3 June 2019A niche genre of 'satire' sexualizes animated characters.
Does Facebook Have ‘Shake-to-Report’ Feature That Lands Users in ‘Facebook Jail’?
14 June 2019As of late May 2019, a new Facebook feature allowing users to report technical problems by shaking their phones was being rolled out gradually to all mobile accounts.