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A self-described “gay, gun-toting cowboy with a mullet,” Joe Exotic was a charming local legend in Oklahoma — until he got arrested for plotting murder. The life story of Joseph “Joe Exotic” Maldonado-Passage is so strange that only a Netflix documentary series could do it justice. The seven-part production followed the self-proclaimed “Tiger King” as he ran his controversial exotic animal park, fought detractors, and cozied up to tigers. The gay, gun-toting Oklahoman resembled a flamboyant cartoon character more than an actual person, let alone somebody who spearheaded an extensive wildlife operation that involved lions, tigers, and cheetahs....

On November 9, 1971, John List shot his wife, his mother, and his three children. Then he made a sandwich, drove to the bank, and disappeared for 18 years. John List appeared to be the perfect son, husband, and father. He worked hard as an accountant at a nearby bank to provide for his family. The New Jersey mansion he inhabited with his mother, wife, and three children had 19 rooms, including a ballroom, marble fireplaces, and a Tiffany skylight....

Charles “Lucky” Luciano organized the many warring factions of New York City’s underground into five crime families — and put himself at the helm of it all. Many of us are familiar with the Italian-American mafia immortalized by films like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and Donnie Brasco. But what you probably didn’t know is that there’s one man without whom the mafia would never have reached its level of far-reaching influence: Charles “Lucky” Luciano....

The new discovery raises questions about the origin of the species. Though it’s China’s official national animal, the giant panda may have actually originated in Eastern Europe. A team of researchers has discovered a 10-million-year-old jawbone of an ancient mammal while on an archeological dig site in northern Hungary. Based on the shape, size, and structure of the teeth, they believe that the jawbone belongs to the ancestor to the modern day giant panda, which was previously believed to be confined to China....

Though dingoes once drove Tasmanian devils to near-extinction, conservationists have successfully forged a new generation of these endangered creatures. Mathias Appel/FlickrA Tasmanian devil in a German zoo. As bundles of joy go, these ones were ferocious. Tasmanian devils have infamous tempers and one of the most powerful bites of any mammal. But conservationists were over the moon at the birth of seven baby Tasmanian devils on mainland Australia, where the species went extinct thousands of years ago....

Designed by August Saint-Gaudens, the 1933 golden double eagle coin was worth $20 when it was minted. But now it’s sold for $18.9 million, making it the most valuable coin in the world. Sotheby’sHolding up the most valuable coin the world. When it comes to spare change, nothing can beat the “double eagle” coin. This rare 1933 coin is one of the last gold coins ever minted in the United States — and it just sold for a record-smashing $18....

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Colossus of Rhodes stood for just 54 years until it was destroyed — and its true location remains a mystery. In ancient times, few things inspired awe like the Colossus of Rhodes. This 108-foot bronze statue towered over the Greek city like a god on Earth, a perennial reminder of Rhodes’ triumph over its enemies. Later destroyed by an earthquake and then melted down by an invading army, the statue left a powerful impression on the world’s collective memory....

Iconic Images Of The 1980s: Tank Man, 1989 The most iconic image of the Tiananmen Square massacre, this picture depicts the important “unknown rebel” standing in front of the tanks that threatened a peaceful protest in China. Jeff Widener snapped this image. Tear Down This Wall, 1987 Speaking in front of the Brandenburg Gate in 1987, this image captures President Reagan making his powerful speech demanding Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall....

The photo of Hazel Bryan screaming at Elizabeth Eckford is jarring enough, but the story of their subsequent reconciliation and friendship is just as fascinating. Bettmann/Getty ImagesElizabeth Eckford walking to Little Rock Central High School. Hazel Bryan stands behind her screaming. It’s an iconic image of the American civil rights movement, one that’s been reprinted in newspapers and history books over the last fifty years. In the forefront, a 15-year-old girl named Elizabeth Eckford is being hurled insults at by a white mob behind her as she is denied entrance to the school....

Candid Hitler photos auctioned, infant remains unearthed in Ireland, exhumed Black Death victims found holding hands, suspected Nazi faces extradition, colonial burial ground discovered. Storied Trove Of Candid Hitler Photos Finally Sees Light Of Day A never-before-seen collection of intimate photographs of Adolf Hitler and his inner circle has now finally come to light — at least in part. Over this past week, in the run up to the collection’s auction in England, the public has finally gotten a chance to see some of these candid WWII-era photos of Hitler, wife Eva Braun, and high-ranking Nazi officials including Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Goering....

From “lobster boy” to the human zoo exhibit, discover the most interesting stories you’ve never heard. ATI Composite In studying history, one finds moments in time, interesting stories, that pierce the veil that separates us from history and reveals the diverse tapestry of events that is the past. These include tales of unique individuals under extraordinary circumstances. These stories will show that the past is much more complex, much more disturbing, and much more incredible than one can ever imagine....

From the Black Dahlia to Lizzie Borden to the Manson Family, the stories behind these famous murders remain haunting to this day. Wikimedia Commons, Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images, Julian Wasser/Online USA Inc./GettyVictims of some of history’s most famous murders, from left: Elizabeth Short, Sharon Tate, Kitty Genovese, JonBenét Ramsey, Lizzie Borden (infamously, not a victim but a suspect), and Dorothy Stratten. Some deaths stick with us. Some lives are extinguished in such strange and horrifying ways that they haunt us for years....

Get to know the man and mind behind Tesla, SpaceX, and the Boring Company with these interesting Elon Musk facts. Widely regarded as one of the brightest living minds, Elon Musk has long been at the forefront of pioneering technologies while pushing mankind to new frontiers in space travel. With his founding stake in PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX, Musk has accumulated a net worth of over 13 billion dollars. Today, we share thirty-one inspiring Elon Musk facts about the wunderkind polymath:...

These interesting World War 2 facts reveal a different side to history’s most devastating conflict. Fewer than 25 years after the first world war threatened the globe with total annihilation, the human race once again saw itself collapsing into yet another worldwide crisis of unparalleled proportions. Starting in 1939, Nazi Germany began ransacking Europe, with countries falling to Axis forces like dominoes. By the time Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor brought the U....

These celebrity look-alikes from the annals of history may have you wondering whether everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to Eminem is actually immortal. Like this gallery?Share it: Share Flipboard Email And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts: 25 Heartbreaking Wartime Goodbyes Of Decades Past 99 Stunning Colorized Photos That Breathe New Life Into The Past 25 Photos Of “Freak Shows” That Are Thankfully A Thing Of The Past...

This gallery of 1990s hip-hop and ’90s rap icons pays homage to a time when the genre meant more than popping bottles. Like this gallery?Share it: Share Flipboard Email And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts: 44 Nostalgia-Inducing Photos Of The Golden Age Of ’80s Hip-Hop 44 Images That Capture Iconic 1990s Fashion Trends In Full Effect Back From The Brink: 1990s New York In 51 Intense Photos...

You don’t always need a lab or an advanced degree to make contributions to science. As citizen science shows, sometimes you just need Wi-Fi. When a new word makes its way to the pages of the Oxford English Dictionary, something’s up. Such was the case with the term “citizen science,” which entered the English language canon in 2014. For those unfamiliar, citizen science draws on the power of the people to help make scientific discoveries....

Providing pedestrians with innovative artwork, these fantastic street artists believe that creativity shouldn’t be confined to stuffy museums. Source: Wikipedia Famous Street Artists: Banksy In 2013, Banksy’s name bubbled up into the American consciousness as the British street artist’s work seeped deeper into social media and the mainstream press. Gaining acclaim by the same establishment Banksy used to mock, the notoriously mysterious artist has attracted the attention of celebrities and auction houses alike with his stenciled creations selling for large amounts of money....

Source: NASA A self-professed night owl, Samantha Cristoforetti starts her day by groggily reaching for her laptop. Like many of us, she keeps it close at hand–about four inches away from her face, to be exact–and is at work before she even gets out of bed. Unlike approximately all of us, Cristoforetti’s “bed” is a green sleeping bag on the International Space Station, and that laptop links Cristoforetti to Earth as she orbits 250 miles above the planet’s surface....

Photographer John Margolies spent more than 30 years on the road documenting America’s big, bold, and bizarre roadside attractions. Like this gallery?Share it: Share Flipboard Email And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts: On The Road: 24 Vintage Photos Of Hobo Life In America Explore Vintage Disneyland In 55 Magical Photos Vintage Hollywood In 48 Photos 1 of 37Bob’s Big Boy statue sign, La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California....