Have you ever wondered why the majority of wedding dresses are white? It turns out the credit for this longstanding tradition belongs to Queen Victoria. In the mid-19th century, she wore a white wedding dress, and Hollywood starlets and other celebrities quickly followed suit.
Denim jeans have been a staple in the fashion world for what feels like forever. From cowboys to runway models, just about everyone wears them. Where did they come from, though? How did they become an essential piece of clothing in wardrobes across the globe?
Barbie dolls are a household name throughout the United States, and they have been for decades. Before there was Barbie, though, there was another doll called Lilli — and she was not marketed to kids at all.
When you think of the masquerade balls of the 18th century, what kinds of masks come to mind? For most people, their minds conjure up images of elaborate, elegant masks with jewels, feathers, and other decorations. Another type of mask was worn at this time, though, particularly by women, and it was known as the moretta.
If you’ve ever spent time in or around Amish country, you’ve likely come across displays of famous Amish rag dolls. You may have even seen some children playing with them. Have you ever wondered about the story behind these distinct dolls?
Just about everyone is familiar with the Statue of Liberty, which sits in the Upper New York Bay. A lot of people don’t know much about its history or the meaning behind its various features, though.
For years now, monarch butterfly populations have been decreasing throughout the world (by more than 80 percent in some places). Despite their shrinking numbers, though, there are still opportunities to see them in the wild, especially if you’re willing to travel to Mexico.
American geneticist and Harvard Medical School professor George Church recently launched a venture that sounds straight out of a science fiction novel. His new company, Colossal, has a seemingly impossible (at least, to the average person) goal of de-extincting the Woolly Mammoth. That’s right. Church has a plan to revive a massive, long-lost creature.
The piñata is a staple in Mexican culture. However, the first records of piñatas don’t come from Mexico or even Spain. The earliest records actually point to Asia — China, to be specific — as the origin of the beloved piñata.
A new short film, titled “Voice Above Water” and directed by San Francisco director Dana Frankoff, offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of 90-year-old Wayan Nyo, a Balinese fisherman dedicated to collecting and recycling plastic found in the ocean.
