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One of the world’s most popular word games appeared for the first time this week in 1913, in the Sunday edition of the New York World. That’s when the first crossword puzzle, created by journalist Arthur Wynne, was printed. His puzzle was diamond shaped and had no black squares. During the 1920s, other newspapers picked up the new pastime, and within a decade, crossword puzzles were a feature of almost every U.S. newspaper and began to assume their now familiar …

Many of the holiday cards we receive picture either Santa Claus or families gathered around the hearth to enjoy the warmth and color of a fireplace. For much of the nation’s history, every home was heated by multiple fireplaces, and all households had to cut and stack wood for cooking and to keep the house warm. Now, fireplaces are primarily a source of charm and ambiance. Many open wood burning fireplaces have been altered to accept a metal insert, which …

Counting today, there are just seven more shopping days until Christmas. This coming weekend promises to be the busiest time of the season, as bustling crowds of shoppers descend on malls and shopping centers across the country. Faced with the hassle of getting to and then finding a parking place at these facilities, a growing number of people have turned to mail-order catalogs and ordering gifts online. These businesses sell more than $234.5 billion worth of goods each year. Close …

A dream of the ages became reality 109 years ago today, on a windswept sand dune at North Carolina’s Outer Banks, as the Wright brothers made the world’s first powered flight. With Orville and Wilbur alternating as pilot, the plane made four flights that day. The longest distance covered was 852 feet in 59 seconds — an average speed of 31 miles an hour. In only a few years, the airplane became an important part of America’s economy and defense, …