History

Today You Should Know answers your curious questions about how the world works. Here's everything we've covered (so far) on the topic of history. Whether you're interested in why Americans don’t use the metric system or how ancient Polynesian explorers found islands, there will definitely be something that satisfies your curiosity about how the world works.

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Why are blood pressure and tire pressure measured differently?
Why are blood pressure and tire pressure measured differently?

The history is quite mercurial.

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Why is it called a hamburger when it is made out of beef?
Why is it called a hamburger when it is made out of beef?

“I’ll have some fries with that history lesson.”

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How are prints of paintings made?
How are prints of paintings made?

A work of art of a work of art

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Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways​?
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways​?

No punchlines here. Just facts.

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Why did the Tour de France start?
Why did the Tour de France start?

Have you heard of the Dreyfus affair?

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Why is the "ring finger" the ring finger?
Why is the "ring finger" the ring finger?

It has a nice ring to it

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Why is orange hair called red?
Why is orange hair called red?

Orange you glad you red this article?

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How did Dr Pepper get its name?
How did Dr Pepper get its name?

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for the missing period

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Why is soccer not a popular spectator sport in the United States?
Why is soccer not a popular spectator sport in the United States?

We Americans sure do like American things.

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Why is a second called a second?
Why is a second called a second?

First came minutes, second came seconds.

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Why is a day 24 hours? Why is an hour 60 minutes?
Why is a day 24 hours? Why is an hour 60 minutes?

We have to thank some ancient minds for these special numbers.

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Why is there cotton in pill bottles?
Why is there cotton in pill bottles?

And should you take it out after opening?

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Why does a tire company rate restaurants?
Why does a tire company rate restaurants?

“Yes, I’ll have the caviar with a side of car tires.”

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How was bread invented?
How was bread invented?

You knead to read this one

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Why do we eat cake on birthdays?
Why do we eat cake on birthdays?

Your birthday wish for birthday history has been granted.

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Why do cartoon characters have four fingers?
Why do cartoon characters have four fingers?

There’s a handful of reasons

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How do controlled burns work?
How do controlled burns work?

Arsonists need not apply

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Why do we have leap years?
Why do we have leap years?

Take a leap of faith that this article will be worth your time

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Where does "hunky-dory" come from?
Where does "hunky-dory" come from?

It certainly doesn’t have a “hunky-dory” past

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Why are hot dogs called hot dogs?
Why are hot dogs called hot dogs?

Let me be frank(furter).

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Why is New Year's Day on January 1?
Why is New Year's Day on January 1?

More like Ja-new-ary 🥁

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Why are there so many Union Stations in America?
Why are there so many Union Stations in America?

It’s not because Americans lack creativity

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Are there more people alive today than have ever lived?
Are there more people alive today than have ever lived?

Even though it might seem like it on your crowded commute…

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Why does America use a MM/DD/YY date format?
Why does America use a MM/DD/YY date format?

It’s like an American accent but with calendars.

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Why is dental insurance separate from medical insurance?
Why is dental insurance separate from medical insurance?

Your teeth are a part of your body, right?

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Why is “W” called double U and not double V?
Why is “W” called double U and not double V?

Many other languages call it a “double V”. English hasn’t caught up with the trends.

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What does “adopt a highway” mean and how does it work?
What does “adopt a highway” mean and how does it work?

What do these adoptive road parents have to do to earn those signs?

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How does carbon dating work?
How does carbon dating work?

Swipe right for science.

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Why is tennis scoring so weird?
Why is tennis scoring so weird?

You’re gonna “love” this one!

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Why do we say "brand" new?
Why do we say "brand" new?

And, for that matter, why do we say brand “spanking” new?

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