In 1909, former friends Robert Peary and Frederick Cook became bitter rivals over competing claims to have lead the first expedition to reach the North Pole.
drinks
The Rocking Pirates and The Rolling Wave
In the 1960s, British rock music was everywhere - except on British radio. A group of DJs took to the sea to broadcast pirate radio stations (until The Man got the message).
Exploring with the Camel Corps
This week back in 1855, the U.S. Congress funded one of the oddest military programs ever.
A Moose-Sized Broadway Flop
"The Moose Murders" was a one-night-only disaster and set the standard for all future Broadway flops.
Monopoly Passes Go
In 1904, Elizabeth Magie invented a game to educate players about corrupt, greedy business tycoons. Thirty years later, her idea was ripped off and marketed by big business - as the game we know as Monopoly.
A Real-Life Robinson Crusoe
Sailor Alexander Selkirk was marooned alone on a South Pacific island in 1704. The story of his years of survival on the island became the basis of a literary classic.
Sumo-Sized History and a Trans-Pacific Cocktail
This week back in 1993, Chad Rowan became the first foreign-born athlete in 2000 years to reach yokozuna – the highest rank in sumo wrestling.
Losing for a Living, and Yet ‘The Eternal Optimist’
This week in 1971, The Washington Generals, the hapless basketball counterpart to the Harlem Globetrotters, won their only game. Toast the biggest losers in sports history with a drink that keeps (hoop) hope alive.
Skill, Luck, and the Shady Underground World of Pinball
Pinball was once considered a shady game of chance -- banned in many American cities. Learn how a single lucky shot changed the rules... then shoot down a custom cocktail that'll make you tilt.
Pokémon Shockwave
So many Japanese children were glued to Pokémon when a new episode was broadcast this week in 1997 that an oddity in the animation simultaneously made viewers across the country ill. Learn about this airwave error and then turn the TV off to enjoy a custom cocktail.