Vintage & Historical

5 Things You Didn't Know About Jimmy Carter

The peanut farmer-turned-president, who passed away at 100, once braved 89 seconds in a nuclear reactor.

Posts in category

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 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.

The Dance Plague That Struck Strasbourg
Vintage & Historical
Meghan Yani

The Dance Plague That Struck Strasbourg

In 1518, residents of Strasbourg, France, found themselves twisting their lives away.

The Humble Beginnings of Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber
Vintage & Historical
Ripley's Believe It or Not!

The Humble Beginnings of Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber

Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber® was constructed from a 1930s Graflex camera flash tube, complete with glued-on button and circuitry additions.

Up Close With a Vampire Killing Kit
Vintage & Historical
Colton Kruse

Up Close With a Vampire Killing Kit

Who's up for a trip to Transylvania?

Crocs in a Church: Not a New Movie, but an Ancient Form of Décor
Vintage & Historical
Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Crocs in a Church: Not a New Movie, but an Ancient Form of Décor

While a taxidermy crocodile seems like an out-of-place decoration many believe the scaly ornament has a deeper meaning.

Spending a Night at the Haunted Pennhurst Asylum
Vintage & Historical
Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Spending a Night at the Haunted Pennhurst Asylum

An investigation to see if the rumors are true.

Grab Your Red Underwear and Get Ready for New Year’s Eve
Vintage & Historical
Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Grab Your Red Underwear and Get Ready for New Year’s Eve

The tradition might go as far back as the Middle Ages.

Jingle Bells Isn’t a Christmas Song
Vintage & Historical
Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Jingle Bells Isn’t a Christmas Song

Many believe the song was actually written for Thanksgiving.

Did Coca-Cola Invent the Modern Image of Santa Claus?
Vintage & Historical
Engrid Barnett

Did Coca-Cola Invent the Modern Image of Santa Claus?

Santa rocked red before Coca-Cola ever came on the scene.

Most read

The best of the best! Read through the most loved stories by Ripley fans just like you.

Find More Stories Like This One in Our Book!

The 19th book in the bestselling series from Ripley's Believe It or Not! has jaw-dropping oddities from around the world!

Escape the Ordinary book
Swirling Pinstripe backdrop
Ripley's Cartoon Of The Day

Sunday Cartoon! - February 2, 2025

Cartoon of the Day

Ripley's Cartoon Of The Day

Robert Ripley began the Believe It or Not! cartoon in 1918. Today, Kieran Castaño is the eighth artist to continue the legacy of illustrating the world's longest-running syndicated cartoon!