Phineas Taylor Barnum was born in Bethel, Connecticut, in 1810. He started his career as a showman by buying and exhibiting Joice Heth, a woman he claimed was George Washington’s 161-year-old nurse. Her age and story attracted large audiences, though skeptics questioned the claims.

In 1885, Englishman John Kemp Starley introduced the “safety bicycle,” featuring equal-sized wheels and a chain-driven rear wheel, offering a safer alternative to the high-wheeled penny-farthing.

Sarah Biffen was born in 1784 in Somerset, England, with phocomelia, a condition that left her without arms or hands. Despite this, she taught herself to paint and write using her mouth, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination.

Square watermelons were first cultivated in Japan during the 1970s by graphic designer Tomoyuki Ono. He envisioned a way to make storing and shipping watermelons more efficient. By growing them in clear, square molds, farmers could produce watermelons that fit perfectly in refrigerators and were easier to stack for transport.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has tackled cases that shaped global justice, from convicting warlords to issuing controversial arrest warrants. Its trials reveal the complexities of prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity in an ever-evolving international legal landscape.

In 1920, Charles Ponzi promised Boston investors an astonishing 50% return in 45 days, claiming to exploit exchange rate disparities in international postal reply coupons. Investors flocked to his Securities Exchange Company, trusting in his charm and persuasive confidence.

In the years following the Civil War, a bold idea emerged: move the U.S. capital to St. Louis, Missouri. Proponents imagined disassembling the Capitol, White House, and other federal buildings and transporting them to the Midwest. Historian Adam Arenson notes this audacious proposal arose from the logistical innovations of the war era and the nation’s uncertain postwar identity.

The Jaguar name became official in 1945, but it wasn’t until the late 1940s that the leaping Jaguar emblem took shape. The automaker sought a logo that reflected its cars’ power, speed, and grace. Designed by F. Gordon Crosby, a renowned automotive artist, the emblem captured the essence of the brand.

Coachella’s origins trace back to a Pearl Jam concert in 1993. Upset with Ticketmaster’s fees, the band chose the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, as a venue. The event highlighted the location’s potential, inspiring Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen to launch Coachella in 1999.

Socotra, an island off the coast of Yemen, is often called the most alien-looking place on Earth. Isolated for millions of years, it boasts an extraordinary landscape that has fascinated scientists and travelers alike.