Stories - Atlas Obscura

Your Votes Are In: Sloths Are Cute

Never mind the latrine thing, sloths are pretty darn amazing.

What Your Zodiac Sign Says About You, According to a 1930s Astrologer

Hey Geminis: Stop using the phone so volubly.

The Story of the 'Portofess,' the Prank Confessional Booth at the 1992 Democratic Convention

Artist Joey Skaggs fooled everyone and pedaled off.

No, Victorians Didn't Cover Up Table Legs Because They Were Too 'Sexy'

Debunking an admittedly adorable myth.

Found: The Lost Sword of a Civil War Hero

Col. Robert Gould Shaw led the Civil War’s first all-black regiment, a story depicted in the 1989 movie "Glory."

A Woman, Her Bedroom, and 35,000 Hidden Bees

They got a new home, and she got a lot of honey.

Win a Trip to Your Ancestors’ Homelands

23andMe wants to send you on a journey based on your DNA test results.

The Insolent Chauffeurs of America's Early Automobile Era

The media criticized drivers for off-the-clock joyrides, corruption, and running people over.

The Inspiration for the Graham Cracker Was a Preacher Obsessed With 'Curing' Masturbation

He believed in eating like the original vegetarians: Adam and Eve.

There Was a Massive, Gross Slime Eel Spill in Oregon

The hagfish were on their way to South Korea.

The Worst Freelance Gig in History Was Being the Village Sin Eater

Sin eaters risked their souls to soak up the misdeeds of the dead.

A Mysterious 'Help' Sign Appeared on a Beach on the Isle of Man

It was made out of tires and assorted rubbish.

Video Captures a Gorgeous Chinese Lavender Bloom

Huocheng County celebrates the blossoms with an annual festival.

The Subversive World of 'Cinderella Stamps'

These tiny artworks can't be used for postage, but they do send a message.

The Giant Balloons Creating Arctic Ice Tunnels

They look kind of fun.

There's a New Sunspot Larger Than Earth

Things have been pretty quiet up there, so it was a surprise.

game of thrones

Here Be Dragons

Five real places to see the winged legends of medieval Europe.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot Just Got Its Close-Up

NASA's Juno spacecraft got within 5,600 miles of the Earth-sized storm.