20th Century

Negro League Stars

We take a look back at the stars of the Negro Leagues and their incredible achievements on and off the baseball diamond.

Little Richard (1932–2020), one of the founding fathers of rock & roll

Little Richard, the flamboyant father of rock ‘n’ roll whose “Tutti Frutti” changed the world, died Saturday at the age of 87.

Stan Lee Built the World I Live In

I was born in June of 1961, about a month and a half before the release of "Fantastic Four" #1, the comic book in which Stan Lee and Jack Kirby reinvented the American superhero. Ie28099ve always said that I was born with the Marvel Universe, and that has had a tremendous impact on my life. I can't remember a time when I didn't know Stan Lee's name.

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr., who was murdered 50 years ago today on April 4, 1968, is one of the most revered figures in American history. Born the son of a civil rights activist, he became one himself, inspired by the teachings of Jesus to dedicate his life to the service of others.

The Women Who Suffered for Suffrage

Thousands of women marching on Washington is nothing new. We remember the women of a century ago who took to the streets and demanded the right to vote.

10 Things To Know About Louis Armstrong

He's one of the greatest musicians this world has ever seen: Louis Armstrong, the New Orleans-born trumpet player and singer, who died July 6, 1971, was an entertainer who possessed a unique voice and playing style that's still imitated today. During Armstrong's lifetime, only one of his recordings ever reached the No. 1 Billboard spot in the U.S.: his 1964 cover of "Hello, Dolly," which pushed the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" from the top spot on the Hot 100 chart. Since his death, Armstrong's recordings have enjoyed great popular success, especially his cover of "What a Wonderful World."

Thurgood Marshall: 20 Facts

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was a giant of the civil rights movement, and his impressive achievements number in the dozens. Here are 20 things to know about about the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court.

Muhammad Ali (1942–2016), boxing legend & cultural icon

Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight boxing champion named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated magazine, died June 3, 2016. He was 74.

Five Facts About Nikola Tesla

How much do you know about the man who invented the 20th century?

20 Facts About Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa is a household name, but who was this “Blessed” woman? Here are 20 facts about her life and work.

5 Sleuths who Paved the Way for True Detective

These five real-life detectives deserve their own TV shows.

Comrade J and the Cold War that Never Ended

When 10 alleged Russian spies were recently arrested before being deported in a spy swap arranged by the CIA, many found the events anachronistic, a throwback to a previous era. One person who would not have been surprised was Sergei Tretyakov.

Remembering Sir Edmund Hillary

In 1953 Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to climb to the summit of Mt Everest.

Langston Hughes: 10 Facts

Harlem Renaissance leader, poet, activist, novelist and playwright Langston Hughes died May 22, 1967. We're remembering Hughes with a look at 10 key facts about his life and career.

The Lives Martin Luther King Touched

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has inspired generations in the United States and around the world. A martyr for and the struggle, King was a voice for peace in one of the most tumultuous periods in American history.

Jim Henson, Muppet Man

Here are 20 things you might not know about the puppet master who created the Muppets.

Coco Chanel: A Certain Style

Coco Chanel died 42 years ago today, but we still look to her as a style icon. And we still love those classic handbags.

Honoring Walt Disney

Ninety years ago today, two brothers founded a company that would become world famous, beloved by all ages, and record smashing. The brothers were Walt and Roy Disney, and the company, of course, bore their last name.

Frank Gannett, Media Giant

Son of sharecroppers, Frank Gannett started with a paper route and rose to become a media mogul.

Mel Blanc: Man of a Thousand Voices

One hundred and five years ago, a voice was born … or was it a thousand voices?

The Best of Muddy Waters

One hundred years of Muddy Waters — that's what we're celebrating today. Waters was born April 4, 1913, and his blues legacy is as deep and wide as the river his name evokes.

The Legend of Ray Charles

In the more than 60 years since his first success, (1930–2004) has become legendary… and I mean that in the truest sense of the word. Like the tales of Paul Bunyan or King Arthur, the story of Ray Charles seems to have picked up a few magical qualities along the way.

The Whole World is Watching

During the tumultuous , 1968 stands out as a turning point, with new modes of political action actively courting television news media.

Alan Lomax, Folk (Music) Hero

Once upon a time, folk music was not the respected genre it is today...

Woody Guthrie: From Sea to Shining Sea

Here are 10 things you may (or may not) know about the Dust Bowl Troubadour, plus a few of our favorite Woody Guthrie songs.

Les Paul: Sound of a Century

Les Paul played a big part in shaping the sound of the 20th century –as a guitarist, inventor, and innovator.

Helen Keller: Beyond the Miracle

Helen Keller overcame many obstacles to change common perceptions of what a disabled person could achieve.

Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun"

The play that "changed American theatre forever," according to The New York Times , started with a few short lines from a long poem.

Sammy Davis Jr.: Mr. Show Business

Sammy Davis Jr. (1925–1990) was a performer all his life, beginning on vaudeville when he was just three years old. As he grew up and grew famous, he wowed us with his multifaceted talent: he could sing, dance, act, and do spot-on impressions—all with ease.

Coretta Scott King: 20 Facts

Coretta Scott King is remembered as the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a role she cherished. But she was much more than just a wife and widow.

Ella Fitzgerald, Glamour Girl

We've got to beg to differ with Ella. The way we see it, not only did Ella Fitzgerald have an amazing talent; she was absolutely gorgeous too.

Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit

In 1939, took a bold step—bold even for a Black woman who rose from a troubled childhood in a segregated country to become one of the most celebrated singers of her time. In that year, disgusted with the racism she saw all around her, she recorded “Strange Fruit.” The song’s bluntly poignant descriptions of lynchings of Black people were shocking and eye-opening, and it became Holiday’s deeply effective closing song for her live performances.

Albert Einstein, Movie Star

Albert Einstein is one of few scientists to achieve the status of pop culture icon.

Civil Rights Giants Whitney Young and Ralph Abernathy

Two notable men deserve a nod today, both giants of the civil rights movement: Ralph Abernathy (March 11, 1926–April 17, 1990) and Whitney Young (July 31, 1921–March 11, 1971).

The Many Faces of Babe Ruth

Today in 1948 Babe Ruth gave his final farewell at Yankee Stadium. But he never really said goodbye, his likeness a constant feature on screens big and small since he put down his bat...

Sugar Ray Robinson: The World's Best Fighter

Here are 20 facts you may not know about Sugar Ray Robinson , the boxer once called the greatest fighter of all time.

Being Ralph Ellison

Ralph Ellison wrote one of the great American novels and then struggled to produce another for the rest of life. Here’s how it happened.

Jiddu Krishnamurti: The Guru Who Wasn’t

Though he refused to consider himself any kind of religious authority, Jiddu Krishnamuriti became one of the 20th century’s leading spiritual philosophers.

The Betty Friedan Mystique

Betty Friedan , author of the landmark The Feminine Mystique , died five years ago today on her 85th birthday. We took a look back at her life and the impact of her work.

Zora Neale Hurston: Genius of the South

In the summer of 1973, a young writer made a pilgrimage south to Fort Pierce, Florida, to visit the final resting place of an artist whose novels, plays and essays had inspired so much of her own writing. She arrived at the Garden of Heavenly Rest to find the segregated cemetery abandoned, weed-choked and overgrown with brambles, and it took her some time to locate the unmarked grave she sought. But find it she did, and before leaving she placed the stone she and a fellow scholar had paid for with their own money. The marker was modest, but its message was not.

Annie Edson Taylor, Heroine of Niagara Falls

Annie Edson Taylor's desire for fame and fortune sent her over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

Miles Davis' Sidemen

Miles Davis  (1926–1991) is widely regarded as one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, being at the cutting edge of bebop, hardbop, and fusion, just to name a few of the jazz movements he helped shape. Along the way, he influenced generations of musicians, including many sidemen who would enjoy influential and successful careers of their own. We take a look at some of the celebrated sidemen who’ve joined Davis in that great jazz combo in the sky.