Jessica Pearce Rotondi Archives

The History of the Bra: From Corsets to Spandex

While bras shape women’s bodies, the development of bras has been shaped by world events.

Callas became the most celebrated operatic soprano of the 20th century, but then her career—and life—were cut short.

Dith Pran was a Cambodian photojournalist (and later, a U.S. citizen), who survived and then exposed atrocities under the Khmer Rouge.

These secret codes enabled secure communication—at least until others found ways to crack them.

These royal scandals drew public fascination and scrutiny, compromising the mystique of monarchies across Europe.

While Monroe and DiMaggio’s marriage was brief and tumultuous, the world became captivated with the ultimate pairing of sports and cinema royalty.

The Chevalier d’Éon (1728‑1810) served as a French soldier, diplomat and spy—while living both as ‘Charles’ and ‘Charlotte.’

Learn how sinkholes and poor sanitation led to the creation of the Paris Catacombs in the late 18th century.

Freemasons coopted multiple historical symbols—but are they really secretly embedded in objects and places around the world?

A proxy culture war was fought between East and West Germany in post‑WWII Europe. The unlikely weapon? Animals.

On June 2, 1953, viewers around the globe watched a BBC broadcast of the coronation of 27‑year‑old Queen Elizabeth II. See highlights.

The centuries‑old ceremony is a mixture of political and religious rites replete in symbolism, tradition and pomp.