Giants are regular characters in fairy tales and folklore. However, there were real-life giants that once lived here on Earth. They were exceptionally tall with heavy weights and voracious appetites to match. In most instances, they end up with life-threatening ailments as their bodies could no longer support their height and weight. Too often, they

If you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps, we’ve got the solution. This list focuses only on positive, inspirational, and amusing stories from the last few days which ensure that you won’t end the week on a sour note. Click here if you also want to read up on the weird happenings in the

Atmospheric phenomena occur constantly and in many forms. From rain to tornadoes, the phenomena generated in the layers of air around and above us often affect our lives, whether for good or for bad. However, there are some atmospheric events that remain hidden for most people, being so exceptional that even science struggles to explain

When we think of a tourist, we generally envision people wearing large hats and moving around in open-top buses with cameras hanging off their necks. Or they could just be sunbathing on the beaches in their bikinis and shorts. But there’s more to travel than just that. As we are about to find out, there

Neanderthals are our nearest extinct family. This link keeps Neanderthals a hot research topic. Fresh finds include the dangers they faced, skills that helped them to survive for millennia, why they looked so different, and how Neanderthals possibly saved humans from extinction. There remains a lot that researchers want to know. This desire has spawned

Mankind has formed a special bond with dogs ever since we’ve been able to train them to do various tasks. Hunting, guarding, and herding were some of the most popular uses for dogs throughout history. Today, we use them to catch fleeing criminals, find hidden drugs, and be our loyal companions. The following stories recount

Serial killers are hardly a phenomenon confined to the 20th and 21st centuries. Many periods of history have been witness to serial murders of their own. The Old West was a well-known time of lawlessness, so it’s no surprise that there were many active serial killers stalking the prairies and deserts of North America. Whether

It may sound hard to believe, but children become hit men, too. Like adults, all they need is to be trained. Child assassins are usually very effective at their jobs, killing tens of victims before they are caught or assassinated themselves. Their startling effectiveness shouldn’t be too surprising, if you think about it. Childhood is

No matter who you are, where you’re from, what you do, or how much money you make, death will eventually touch you. Since the dawn of time, humans have pondered their own mortality. We await the fateful day when our lives will be over . . . and it will happen in an instant. Have you thought about what

You wake up in the morning and briefly log onto the Internet to read the latest news on your favorite news websites. Then you log onto Facebook and Twitter to catch up with family and coworkers before checking out some information on Wikipedia. Maybe you even reply to some messages on WhatsApp and Telegram. After

According to Benjamin Franklin, only two things are certain in life: death and taxes. This is very true. In fact, Franklin probably underestimated how certain taxes are. Obviously, governments will tax anything to raise money. By anything, we mean they will tax your dog, hat, beard, and windows if they have the chance. All these

Despite murder being a crime that most people feel is the lowest of the low, deserving of the ultimate penalty, it has been estimated that one third of all murders in the United States will go unsolved.[1] Even with the most cutting-edge technologies at our fingertips, not only is detective work extremely difficult, but sometimes,

Some things that we take for granted today used to be illegal. They were banned, even though they were pretty much harmless. Often, those responsible for these laws had motives other than the stated purposes of the bans. The once-banned items on this list range from sports to beverages to even holidays. And the holiday

Egyptology’s quiet years seem to be over. More dazzling finds from the extinct culture have risen in recent months than in the last few decades. Tiny socks, a new sphinx, large ruins, and tombs are among the most exciting discoveries that reveal more about the ancient Egyptians. Additional finds also unravel the deeper nuances of

The term “horror” wasn’t coined until the 1930s, but elements of the genre can be traced all the way back to silent trick films of the 1800s. Trick films used experimental techniques to show special effects, and they often touched on supernatural topics such as ghosts, witches, and vampires. Many of these early experiments with

Stories of people claiming to be reincarnated from other people will pop up every now and then. Some claims are obviously hoaxes, and we do not need to scratch past the surface to find out. Others, however, cannot be easily passed off as such, especially when the person involved reveals private details about their former

When you think of strange light phenomena, the first things that likely come to mind are rainbows, aurora borealis, or halos around the Sun. While at any given moment, you’re probably not going to look outside and see any of these things, there are other events that have dumbfounded people for years. Our world has

Gods always seem weird to people who do not believe in them. Even today, it is hard for people to understand what draws others to different religions and that is with living believers and their texts to help. The gods of the ancient world, which emerge from the Earth when we dig them up, can

Doctors are certainly known for issuing drug prescriptions. However, depending on the country, state, or city, they could also write prescriptions for other things. Most of these surprising prescription items are downright weird, since they usually shouldn’t require a prescription. In most instances, people were left unable to get their hands on the following things

Food is perhaps one of the most important things in our lives. While some look at it as just a means with which to continue living, others look at it as an art, a reason to broaden their culinary horizons. Whether they view food as nourishment, exploration, or a medium for socialization and bonding, few

When we imagine life imprisonment, there are thoughts of being stuck in a small cell with little freedom aside from a short break in the day to hit the prison yard. Inmates’ days consist of little more than staring out a tiny, barred window (if they’re lucky) and remaining ever-vigilant against the inevitable shiv with

For hundreds of years, witch hunters operated throughout Europe. Their motivations ranged from superstitions and paranoia to an incomprehensible religious zeal. Sometimes, it was just politics. Nevertheless, it’s estimated that tens of thousands of people were executed for witchcraft in Europe. The witch hunters mostly framed terrified old women. But every so often, a witch

Statues are no strangers to controversies. The fact that they are usually modeled after famous people or objects or are in memory of certain events will often put them at the center of controversy. In some instances, protests and even riots have occurred as a result of statue-related strife. Statues stirring such discord is hardly

Not all good ideas get the recognition they deserve, especially when they go against long-held notions. These ten people knew something important and tried to share it with the world, only to be silenced by other parties that either didn’t believe them or had their own personal interests. A lot of them suffered professionally due

Outlaw biker clubs have had a wild ride. While once considered no more than a public nuisance, these groups have grown more organized over the past few decades. With that increased organization has come ever greater power and influence. Some have even grown so powerful that they’ve not only expanded their illegal activities across multiple

Although it might be exhilarating to witness life thousands of years ago through a time machine, surely no one would ever want to do much more than visit. The ancient world was a rough and unforgiving playing field, especially if you were a kid or anything but wealthy. Ancient China was no exception. Unless you

A continent now flourishing with economic superpowers, Asia is comprised of countries that were built by centuries of bloodshed. Entire periods of war for unification are a common theme within the East—certainly something unique to the region. Indeed, history is a well-known lover of heroes. Fearsome warriors have been glorified and romanticized since time immemorial.

Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who has set your eyes on the world’s largest ball of twine, located in Kansas. Maybe you’ve even seen aliens on the highway as you’ve passed through Roswell, New Mexico, at night. Could it be that you can even brag to your friends about attending the world’s

Although we will see specifically the Christian version of these beings, angels are an object of study and admiration in many cultures and religions around the world. In their variant recorded in the Holy Bible, these creatures are described as beings of extreme power and strength, responsible for performing tasks entrusted by God to fulfill

Most of us think of insects as creepy-crawly things that are best flattened by a flyswatter. But not all of these creatures fall into that category. The butterfly is one of the most popular types of insect, which is largely because the various kinds of butterfly are beautiful to look at. However, many people don’t