1

The Sinking of the Titanic

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Even serious events—like the most devastating shipwreck in history—have been used as subjects for board games, and the Titanic is no exception. In this game, players find themselves aboard the ill-fated vessel , gathering supplies and trying to secure a spot on a lifeboat.

2

Public Assistance

Image: Aksel Fristrup

If you thought the previous game was controversial, this one pushes the envelope even further. In Public Assistance , players could choose to be either "workers" or "welfare recipients." The latter aim to live off the system, while the former struggle to earn a living—an intentionally provocative setup that sparked criticism.

3

The Game of Jaws

Image: Gerald Schömbs

Perhaps less controversial than the previous two games—but just as nerve-wracking—this game featured a plastic shark from which players had to remove items using a hook . The concept was similar to the classic Operation , but with added suspense and a theme that terrified many young players.

4

Salta

Image: Galen Crout

This game from the early 20th century was quite popular in its day, enjoyed by royalty, theater stars, and famous artists . It was produced in various editions, ranging from extraordinarily expensive sets to more affordable ones. However, it eventually faded into obscurity.

5

Lexicon

Image: Nik Korba

This word game, somewhat similar to Scrabble, allowed players to exchange letters from other players' words to form their own. For example, if someone had the word pig and you needed the "p" for your word pair , you could swap it with one of your letters, such as a "w"—to change pig into wig and complete your own word.

6

Gorey Games

Image: Christopher Paul High

Based on the works of Edward Gorey, this game invited players to move through eerie settings and experience a darkly whimsical adventure . While it was adored by niche audiences, it never reached the popularity of other horror-themed board games.

7

The Vanishing Game

Image: Andrey Metelev

This mystery game invites players to solve a disappearance using a mix of deduction and strategic board movement . What made it truly unusual was its real-life element: players were encouraged to mail clues to the publisher in order to unlock additional secrets.

8

Mystery Mansion

Image: Ryan Wallace

If you like the idea of building a new house but making it look old, dirty, and creepy , then this game is for you. First released in the early 1980s, it featured a modular board where players revealed new rooms while searching for treasure. In any case, whoever came up with the Scooby-Doo edition of this game clearly knew their target audience.

9

Careers

Image: Tim Foster

This vintage board game invited players to customize their own goals for fame, happiness, and money, eschewing the one-size-fits-all mindset in favor of pursuing something more personal. Its blend of strategy and "real meaning" made this game stand out back in the day.

10

Stay Alive

Image: Simon Hurry

If strategy games with marbles are your thing, then this game would be a favorite. Players try to keep their marbles from falling through a shifting grid . Its thrilling nature and tactile challenge made it a popular choice for both adults and kids alike.

11

Shenanigans

Image: Jaciel Melnik

Based on the TV game show of the same name, this board game was a big hit back in the day. Combining trivia questions with physical challenges , it provided entertainment for people of all ages.

12

The Mad Magazine Game

Image: Christopher Paul High

MAD Magazine was an important cultural icon a few decades ago, and their parody version of Monopoly was filled with the irreverent humor that characterized the magazine. The game encouraged players to lose all their money instead of earning more, unlike the original Monopoly.

1

Movie etiquette slides: The "don’ts" of early cinema

Image: Alex Litvin

Long before "silence your phones" became a common phrase, the audience was advised to mind their manners with whimsical "movie etiquette" slides. These slides, from the early 1900s, reminded theatergoers to behave properly while in the establishment. Suggestions like "Applaud with hands only" were a gentle nudge to stay courteous—after all, what else would one applaud with, right?

Another classic recommendation: "If annoyed when here, please tell the management," a precursor to modern customer service advice.

2

America’s birth certificate: The map that named a continent

Image: Chris Lawton

Does America have a birth certificate? Not exactly, but something like that—hear this out. It’s actually a map that holds the unique honor of using the name "America" for the very first time . Created by Martin Waldseemüller in 1507, it has a lengthy Latin title and shows an emerging understanding of the globe, especially the newly discovered Western Hemisphere and Pacific Ocean.

For the first time, a cartographer separated the Americas from Europe and Asia, recognizing them as distinct continents. The Library of Congress acquired the map in 2003 and is often referred to as America’s "birth certificate."

3

A Monopoly prequel: The Office Boy

Image: Jaciel Melnik

Before Monopoly was monopolizing (pun intended) family game nights, Parker Brothers tested the waters with a lesser-known board game called "The Office Boy." Released in 1889, this early game was all about climbing the corporate ladder , reflecting the "American Dream" narrative popular at the time.

Players began as humble stock boys and had to work their way up to the head of the firm, with virtues like integrity and promptness helping them along, while carelessness could set them back. Pretty much like real life, huh?

Although "The Office Boy" never reached the same iconic status, it’s a fascinating precursor to Monopoly and you can take a look at it at the Library of Congress.

4

Locks of famous hair: A snip of history

Image: Taylor Smith

It might sound strange today, but saving locks of hair from notable figures was a common practice in the past. The Library of Congress holds strands from historical figures like Thomas Jefferson, Walt Whitman, and James Madison.

Along with the locks, you can also learn some interesting facts. For example, Jefferson’s hair was cut at his deathbed by his family, while Whitman’s came courtesy of his housekeeper, who took the liberty of snipping a few strands. These tiny, personal (maybe too personal) belongings have lost their shine over the years, but they still connect visitors to some of the most influential figures in history.

5

Bizarre health labels: Fat-Ten-U tablets, anyone?

Image: Jenelle

We might find it hard to believe at times, but societies do change. Want to see how? Take a look at advertisements from a certain era, and you’ll notice the early 20th century had its fair share of questionable health products—some of them can be found at the Library of Congress.

For example, one product you can take a look at is "Loring’s Fat-Ten-U Food Tablets," which promised to help skinny folks gain weight quickly . The accompanying ads featured dramatic before-and-after illustrations of people plumping up into "rosy" health with these tablets.

Compare that with today, and you’ll see that marketing, fads, and science have certainly come a long way, don’t you think?

6

The first road map: Paving the way for American travelers

Image: LouisMoto

We’ve mentioned the first map to name America as a continent, but have you ever wondered who the first person to draw a roadmap of the US was? Well, you can learn about that at the Library of Congress.

Back in 1789, when George Washington became president, Christopher Colles published what is now considered the first road map of the United States . His guide, titled A Survey of the Roads of the United States of America , helped travelers navigate the relatively new nation. Rather than displaying large swathes of territory, each page zoomed in on short stretches of road, making it much easier to navigate.

Of course, if you look at it today, it is outdated, but back then, it made traveling around the country a lot easier!

7

Culinary advice for motorists: Gourmet on the go

Image: Debby Hudson

One doesn’t usually—or immediately—place a motorist in a kitchen, right? But we guess this is here to prove us wrong!

When early motorists hit the road, there weren’t fast-food chains or convenience stores on every corner. This posed a problem, but the solution came around rather quickly: The Motorist’s Luncheon Book by May Southworth, published in 1923, provided travelers with the advice they needed to plan their meals on the go. The book suggested packing emergency supplies like sardines, canned frankfurters, and even "bacon in jars" and some recipes to cook on the road.

If you’re ever out of ideas in the kitchen, you might want to get a quick look at this book!

8

Jefferson’s vanilla ice cream recipe: Founding Father of desserts

Image: Hidden

Wait, Jefferson—as in the Founding Father? That’s right. Thomas Jefferson may have helped write the Declaration of Independence, but he also knew how to make a mean vanilla ice cream.

Among his vast collection of papers at the Library of Congress is his personal recipe for the classic dessert . The recipe is as simple as it gets: just "good cream," egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla. Jefferson, known for his love of French cuisine, likely picked up this ice cream-making skill while serving as a diplomat in Paris. While the recipe is quite detailed, it’s a reminder that even the most powerful figures in history had a sweet tooth. You could honor him by making this for your loved ones tonight!

9

The first known book printed in America: The Bay Psalm Book

Image: Aaron Burden

We all know what the first printed book in the world was, right? But what about the first printed book in America? Here’s what you need to know about it.

North America’s first printed book, The Whole Booke of Psalmes , also known as The Bay Psalm Book , dates back to 1640, just two decades after the Mayflower landed. This hymnal was created in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and contains psalms translated from Hebrew into English—but with a twist: the spelling and grammar were, well… creative by modern standards.

The book has no music notes, just the lyrics for worshippers to follow along with. Though simple in appearance, it pretty much marks a milestone in American printing and religious history.

10

Helen Keller’s plea to Alexander Bell: A message of hope

Image: Anne Nygård

As you probably already know, Hellen Keller was both deaf and blind. But that was never an obstacle to her journey of self-improvement and activism for the rights of the disabled. She is, still today, one of the most influential figures in history.

Now, concerning this article, here’s the fascinating artifact’s history: In 1907, Helen Keller sent a telegram to Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone and an advocate for the deaf. In it, Keller, who was both deaf and blind, asked Bell to join her in delivering a speech , hoping he would repeat her words aloud for the audience. This small but powerful telegram is now part of the Library of Congress’s collection and you can take a look at it to learn about the deep bonds formed between two icons of American history.

1

Sleep routine

Image: Tina Witherspoon

Your body is a routine animal. If you eat at a certain time, you’ll probably feel hungry around that same time the next day. If you go to sleep at a certain hour, you’ll likely feel sleepy at that same hour the next day.

Use this to your advantage by sticking to a consistent sleep schedule , both for going to bed and for waking up. If you do this consistently, your body will embrace this routine, and it will start to come naturally.

2

Food and drinks

Image: Kelsey Chance

Avoid going to bed shortly after a large meal. Your digestive system will stay active for a long period of time potentially keeping you awake until it finishes processing the food and drink you've consumed.

The same goes for alcohol: while it might make you feel drowsy at first, it can disrupt your sleep later in the night.

3

Create a good sleeping environment

Image: Ainur Iman

A dark, quiet, and cool bedroom makes for a good sleeping environment . Your senses will continue capturing and processing any light or sound present in your bedroom, which is why it is important to minimize these distractions as much as possible.

4

Avoid long naps

Image: Tânia Mousinho

This one is quite straightforward: your body only requires a certain amount of sleep , and if you use up a large portion of it during the day, you may find yourself staying awake longer at night. While a short, 20-minute nap during the day can help restore your energy, a longer rest period will subtract from your nighttime sleep.

5

Physical activity

Image: Chander R

Regular physical activity and spending time outside every day are great ways to promote better sleep at night. However, it’s important to avoid physical exercise if you are too close to your bedtime to avoid overstimulation.

6

Avoid going to bed with worries

Image: Yohann LIBOT

Whatever worries you may have in your life, try to avoid thinking about them while you're trying to sleep. Stressful thoughts can delay sleep and create anxiety , leading to less-than-optimal rest. Instead, write down any issues you need to deal with and save them for the next day.

7

Light exposure

Image: Gabe

Spending time in natural sunlight or bright light during the day can help keep your circadian rhythm healthy and, in turn, improve your daytime energy and enhance the quality and duration of your sleep at night.

In contrast, avoid exposure to screens for at least half an hour before going to bed. Nighttime light exposure can have the opposite effect from daytime exposure because it reduces your levels of melatonin, which helps you relax and get deep sleep.

8

No alcohol before bedtime

Image: Vinicius amnx Amano

As mentioned earlier, drinking alcohol before bedtime is not recommended . Alcohol can cause or worsen symptoms of sleep apnea, increase snoring, and disrupt normal sleep patterns. It also alters nighttime melatonin production, which plays a key role in regulating your body’s circadian rhythm.

9

A good bed and pillow

Image: Andrew Neel

Poor-quality bedding can lead to increased lower back pain , making it harder to sleep well. Firm and medium-firm mattresses are available at different price ranges and can be a good choice for comfort and to avoid back pain.

Pillows should not cause neck pain, either. Find a pillow that isn’t too high and offers comfort for your sleep style. It will make for a better rest, and your body will thank you in the morning.

10

No liquids right before bed

Image: Steve Johnson

There’s nothing wrong with being hydrated during your sleep time, but having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom is not great. If this happens repeatedly, it can negatively affect your sleep quality and daytime energy.

To minimize interruptions, try reducing your fluid intake in the last hour before bed . This can help lower the chances of waking up during the night.

11

Good sleeping temperature

Image: Vin Jack

One way to guarantee uncomfortable sleep is a bedroom that’s either too cold or too hot . The ideal temperature can vary based on the individual, but most research suggests that sleeping in a cooler room—around 65 to 68 degrees—is optimal.

12

At least seven hours of sleep

Image: sq lim

Each age group requires a different amount of sleep each night, but for most people, seven hours is the bare minimum to ensure proper rest. If you have a specific wake-up time, calculate a target bedtime that allows for at least seven hours of sleep . Give yourself extra time before bed to wind down and prepare for sleep whenever possible.