Why Did 17th-Century Plague Doctors Dress Like Birds?
Vintage & Historical

Why Did 17th-Century Plague Doctors Dress Like Birds?

“Beak doctors” waged war against the plague.

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Vintage & Historical

Jump into a century of seldom-seen historical feats. Lose yourself in unusual stories from days gone by. Here's your chance to journey through decades of curious people, places, and stories that stand the test of time.

The Bizarre History of White House Pets
Vintage & Historical
Ripley's Believe It or Not!

The Bizarre History of White House Pets

From presidential pups to Billy the hippo, the White House has seen it all.

Are They Real? The Dubious History of Chastity Belts
Vintage & Historical
Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Are They Real? The Dubious History of Chastity Belts

They may be more real today than they were in the Medieval era.

The Eggnog Riot Of 1826
Vintage & Historical
Engrid Barnett

The Eggnog Riot Of 1826

Everyone’s Yuletide favorite once wreaked havoc in Upstate New York.

The Early Origins of Temporary Tattoos: Hand-Painted Knees
Vintage & Historical
Kelsey Roslin

The Early Origins of Temporary Tattoos: Hand-Painted Knees

With a shorter hemline and a blank kneecap, 1920s flappers began painting pictures on their legs.

Unfit for a Princess: The Grimm Fairy Tales
Vintage & Historical
Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Unfit for a Princess: The Grimm Fairy Tales

The original iterations of classic fairy tales are certainly far beyond G-ratings.

Most Read

Check out trending stories and discover that truth is always stranger than fiction!

Vintage & Historical

Endurance Shipwreck Found 106 Years After Antarctic Sinking

The water's frigid temperatures kept the ship in remarkable condition.

Endurance Shipwreck Found 106 Years After Antarctic Sinking

People

The Uncanny Case of the Jim Twins, Two Estranged Twins Who Led Identical Lives

They unknowingly forged lives as identical as their DNA.

The Uncanny Case of the Jim Twins, Two Estranged Twins Who Led Identical Lives

People

The Medical Mystery of Tarrare, a Cannibalistic French Spy

Tarrare was the walking manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins as he prowled the cobbled streets of 18th-century Paris indulging his endless hunger.

The Medical Mystery of Tarrare, a Cannibalistic French Spy

Read More Ripley's

Take things to the next level! Ripley’s twentieth edition annual book is full of all-new, all-true stories from around the world.

Dare to Discover book
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Ripley's Cartoon of the Day

August 12, 2026

Cartoon of the Day

A California library hosted “Lucha Libro,” a wrestling-themed story time featuring fights among the bookshelves.

Ripley's Cartoon of the Day

Robert Ripley began the Believe It or Not! cartoon in 1918. Today, it continues uninterrupted as the world’s longest-running syndicated cartoon.

Read More Cartoons