Culture & Traditions

Just like workers in any field, Mafia members are changing with the times and running some old schemes in new ways. What businesses does the Mob have its hooks in, and how does it maintain control?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus & Melissa Phipps

In 1968, "The Population Bomb" was published, with dire predictions of a coming world that could not feed itself. It launched the Zero Population Growth movement. Since then, the world population has doubled. What did the book get right and wrong?

By Dave Roos

It's tempting to think that the only way your favorite team (or athlete) could lose is because of some funny business from the other side. And sometimes you'd be right. Here are 10 sports conspiracy theories that could totally have happened.

By Dave Roos

Although the U.S. government has been found guilty of spying on its citizens or wasting tax money on dubious projects, does that mean it would intentionally fake the moon landing, conduct alien autopsies or put its citizens in FEMA camps?

By Alia Hoyt

Body painting, which some say is man's first artwork, has become a hip, temporary art form that generates lots of "oohs" and "ahs." Want to try your hand at body painting? Here's how.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

During World War II, a U.S. ship mysteriously disappeared in Virginia and reappeared suddenly in Philadelphia, with some crewmen embedded in the ship's hull. What was the Philadephia Experiment all about?

By Dave Roos

For centuries, treasure hunters have explored Oak Island in the hopes of discovering pirate gold — or Marie Antoinette's jewels, Shakespeare's manuscripts or even the Ark of the Covenant. What's the scoop with this so-called "Money Pit"?

By Jane McGrath

You know Cinderella was the only girl who could wear the glass slipper. But did you know her two stepsisters cut off parts of their feet to try to fit into it? That's just one gory detail Disney left out.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Who wouldn't want to rest in peace in one of the happiest places on Earth? OK, spending the afterlife in an amusement park may not be for everyone, but are there people who try to send the deceased on a forever roller coaster ride?

By Nathan Chandler

Folklore is stories, art and dance. It's rituals and special birthday meals; how you treat a cold; even the chain emails you sometimes get. Why do these things get passed down, and how do we keep them alive?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

It seems like every town has that one restaurant whose eggplant parmesan can kick-start contractions. But is a labor-inducing recipe an old wives' tale?

By Alia Hoyt

Being an island nation has its perks, but genetic diversity isn't one of them. In fact, every native Icelander is descended from the same couple. (Talk about awkward dating scenarios!) That's where the book comes in.

By Alison Cooper

For centuries, people have considered four-leaf clovers to be magical — whether as an aid to spot fairies or a charm to bring the bearer good luck. So what exactly makes these tiny plants so special?

By Oisin Curran & Desiree Bowie

You might know your immediate family and even some cousins, but what about how your genes have been traveling through time via your ancestors? What's the best way to get a handle on all that family history?

By Alia Hoyt

After seeing celebs find out about their ancestors on shows like "Finding Your Roots," you might want to do the same. How do you start?

By Gallagher Flinn

While you can create scrapbooks of parties or vacations, a really meaningful and fun project is to scrapbook your family history. How do you keep all those certificates, clippings and photos from looking like a hot mess?

By Alia Hoyt

Some life hacks are the bees' knees. Some are baloney.

To make the best out of your next 30-second trip in vertical transportation horror, follow our 10 weird (but indispensable!) rules of elevator etiquette.

By Dave Roos

Will the grammar police really arrest you if you start a sentence with a conjunction or end one with a preposition? There's only one way to find out.

By Kate Kershner

Though Mother's Day seems to be filled with sweetness and light, it had a rather heavy origin, arising as a post-Civil War plea for peace. So how did the holiday change over the years?

By Laurie L. Dove

We love pepperoni and mozzarella on our pizza, so why not throw it in the bird? Yep, stuffing (or dressing) doesn't have to be boring. Are you daring enough to mix it up?

By Maria Trimarchi

Maybe you could care less about grammar. After all, it's a doggy-dog world? No. That might sound right, but it's one of 10 common phrases people say wrong.

By Chris Opfer

Incorporate these scents into your home for a lovely seasonal fragrance.

By Blythe Copeland

The story behind Passover is a classic one: of slavery and freedom, unheeded warnings, horrific wrath and great rejoicing. It's remembered during an eight-day festival that begins with a meal called the Passover Seder.

By Julia Layton

The news is filled with a never-ending stream of tragedy and cruelty, but also with gestures and acts meant to improve the lives of others -- and the world. Here are 10 of our favorites.

By Maria Trimarchi