July 27, 2026
The Bloody Mark: How a Gruesome 1892 Murder Birthed Modern Forensics
For most of the 19th century, catching a criminal was largely a matter of eyewitness testimony, circumstantial evidence, and sheer luck. If a thief le...
Latest Discoveries
Explore some of the fascinating stories of the 19th century.
July 25, 2026
The Canvas and the Crypt: The Bizarre Victorian Obsession with Mummy Brown Paint
The 19th century was an era defined by a peculiar blend of grand industrial progress and delightfully morbid fascinations. Following Napoleon Bonapart...
July 23, 2026
The Ghost and the Darkness: How Two Man-Eating Lions Brought the British Empire to a Standstill
In the closing years of the 19th century, the British Empire embarked on an engineering marvel so ambitious and perilous that it earned the nickname "...
July 21, 2026
The Great Berners Street Hoax: How One Man Trolled All of London in 1810
In the modern era of the internet, we think we've perfected the art of the troll. From Rickrolling to elaborate digital pranks, online mischief-makers...
July 19, 2026
The Plot to Steal a President: The Bizarre 1876 Grave Robbery That Almost Succeeded
November 7, 1876, was a night of unparalleled tension in the United States. The country was embroiled in the fiercely contested Hayes-Tilden president...
July 17, 2026
The War of the Wolverines: How a Cartography Error Sparked the Ridiculous Toledo War of 1835
When you think of the great conflicts of the 19th century, your mind probably jumps to the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, or the Crimean War...
July 15, 2026
The Emperor's Butter: How a French Chemist Sparked the Centuries-Long War Over Margarine
In the late 1860s, Emperor Napoleon III of France found himself staring down a logistical nightmare. His empire was expanding, his military was growin...
July 13, 2026
The Cobbler's Daughter Who Conquered High Society: The Absurd Tale of Princess Caraboo
In the spring of 1817, the quiet English town of Almondsbury was thrown into a state of utter bewilderment. A young woman had wandered into the villag...