Almanac
Phil Edwards explains the world through its footnotes. Read more below or watch Almanac on Vox’s YouTube channel.
Ever wonder about the “macaroni” in Yankee Doodle? The backstory may surprise you.
This is every beard, mustache, and goatee that adorns the legislature.
Meet Susan Bennett and learn how voice acting really works.
No, Greenland isn’t that big.
Yes, those first few parades were pretty special.
It’s 1945 and you’re having a beach party. Who’s bringing the DDT?
It won’t take much longer than 4 minutes and 33 seconds.
Bathroom motion sensors can be intoxicating and infuriating. This is how they work.
Beethoven, we’re looking at you.
Gulf, bay, or harbor? This map will help you understand.
You won’t believe the early drafts Google tried out.
Some of your favorite historical figures created these charts to make their points. They still look great.
Space monkeys competed to see which one had the “right stuff.” This one passed the test.
See what it really looked like — and why we remember it so differently.
This is what Columbo, George Washington, an imaginary photographer, and a fake town have in common.
A brief history of breeches, and why Colonial Americans loved to show off their calves.
Wingdings — that symbol font on your computer — has a storied legacy both in digital and print.
The tomato-throwing festival turns 70. But you might not know where it came from — or how it really works today.
These soundscapes are powerful because they show that biomes are both seen and heard.
The “cyber sitcom” for Windows 95 was just one of many bad celebrity tech ads.
The Mac Command symbol is a Swedish campground sign, and 6 other symbol stories.
This is what Seinfeld would look like as tearjerking Oscar bait.
Does this 1947 prop comic prove that prop comics are undeniable geniuses?
You won’t succeed. But you’ll have a lot of fun trying.
See how your state sizes up. You might be surprised.
It took a long time for women to be able to go to the beach and actually swim.
When civilization collapses, the Nerf arsenal will be there, firing foam into the void.
Vomit bags are waiting in your seat-back pocket. This is how they got there.
No, you shouldn’t be too literal when it comes to art. But these 4 paintings have some fundamental goofs.
How has your state’s rank changed over the past century? This chart will tell you.
The Wienermobile patent shows a key moment in automobile/wiener innovation.
Love putting on some sweats and going for a run? It would have aroused police suspicion just a few decades ago.
Opera can be fun, audacious, and actually gloriously stupid if you read any of the plots. Here’s how to give it a chance.
The true, wild story of the inaugural ascent up Mont Blanc.
Love whiskey? You would have gone broke during the war.
This chart shows just how big beards once were. You won’t believe how hairy men used to be.
Greek armor had amazing abs, pecs, and nipples for a reason.
Can the United States Army take credit for the McRib?
Google Street View has a century-old predecessor.
James Gurney’s books have become iconic, but he started his career in a very unexpected place.