Cultural Traditions

How exactly did these two fried friends get together and become so beloved in the U.K.? Like many a national cuisine, its roots started in faraway lands.

By Dave Roos

Every year, the city of Santa Fe collectively shouts "Burn him!" and sets fire to Zozobra, the enemy of all that is good.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

June is Pride Month, when the LGBTQ community comes together to celebrate their struggles and to raise awareness of issues they still face.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery or just another way of causing offense.

By Danielle Douez

Nineteenth century lawyer and naturalist Peter A. Browne put together the world's greatest collection of ... yes, hair. Today, it's valuable for the DNA it contains.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

It's called geophagy and it's a relatively common practice all over the world, but nobody's completely sure why.

By Jesslyn Shields

Founded by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus is considered one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

March 8, International Women's Day, has been celebrated around the world for more than a century. This year's theme is "Embrace Equity."

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

If you think celebrity kid names like Apple and North West are odd, at least they're easy to remember. These five famous people have names so long, you couldn't recall them if you had to.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

You know what's totally useless? A pair of umbrellas shoes. But they're so fun you know you want them anyway. Welcome to chindogu.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

In the Netherlands, children get gifts from St. Nicholas, who's accompanied by his servant Zwarte Pieten (Black Pete), always wearing blackface. Many Dutch denounce him as racist while others claim it's just part of the culture.

By Dave Roos

The Incas were technologically advanced but never invented a system of written language. Turns out, they encoded more in textiles than we could have imagined possible.

By Jesslyn Shields

Although many people use the two terms interchangeably, they don't mean the same thing.

By Dave Roos

Love your sexy red-soled Louboutins? Did you know that way before they came along, high heels were worn by men as a sign of power and privilege?

By Carrie Tatro

While most generalizations are gross, Americans who have traveled to Europe probably have noticed that certain practices they take for granted are non-existent there. Likewise, Europeans who visit the U.S. are amazed at some habits Americans have.

By Alia Hoyt

Although there's no official record that the late Fats Domino and Chubby Checker ever met, these music legends have common ground.

By Laurie L. Dove

The Danish people are among the happiest on the planet. Here are 5 reasons why.

By Dave Roos

Women in the late Stone and early Bronze Ages in Europe probably traveled long distances and spread new ideas and objects, more so than their male counterparts.

By Jesslyn Shields

The annual World Gravy Wrestling Championship sees grapplers go head to head in a savory meat sauce on the last Monday each August.

By Christopher Hassiotis

Motivational speakers like Tony Robbins charge exorbitant sums for fans to hear them speak. What draws people to them and how do they keep the attention of thousands?

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

While anti-miscegenation laws weren't unique to the United States, they also weren't common.

By Jesslyn Shields

A disappearing sport survives in a handful of mud-caked South Asian gyms specializing in a unique style of wrestling.

By Christopher Hassiotis

Forget worms and chum. The next time you go fishing, go fly a kite.

By Laurie L. Dove

Don't ever assume something will last forever. A lot of folks once thought these 10 things would never become obsolete.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Silent meditation retreats abound. What's it really like to keep quiet for so long?

By Kate Kershner