Merrill Fabry

Recent Articles

The Inextricable Role of Gender in the History of Fact-Checking

"TIME Inc.'s researchers are conspicuous because they are women," noted one 1944 pamphlet for employees

By Merrill Fabry

Ben & Jerry's Is Turning 40. Here's How They Captured a Trend That Changed American Ice Cream

Their first store opened on May 5, 1978

By Merrill Fabry

From an Anonymous Tip to an Impeachment: A Timeline of Key Moments in the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal

How the sex scandal involving President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky consumed the news of 1998

By Olivia B. Waxman and Merrill Fabry

What Was the First Sound Ever Recorded by a Machine?

It wasn't intended ever to be heard again

By Merrill Fabry

Why Is Tennis Scored So Weirdly?

No one really knows how the system started, but it dates all the way back to the Middle Ages

By Merrill Fabry

11 of the Most Fascinating Obituaries From 2017

A spy, a songwriter, a spacesuit technician, a smuggler and more

By Merrill Fabry

The Ancient Origins of Our Modern Obsession With Breaking World Records

The impulse now exemplified by the Guinness Book of World Records dates back centuries—but how do you measure a record without a stopwatch?

By Merrill Fabry

Where Does the 'Thumbs-Up' Gesture Really Come From?

Ancient Romans did use the thumbs-up gesture, but back then it didn't mean "good job."

By Merrill Fabry

Here’s How the First Fact-Checkers Were Able to Do Their Jobs Before the Internet

TIME's archives offer unique insight into the history of the job

By Merrill Fabry

The Surprising Function of the First Coloring Books

"Adult coloring books" are actually even older than coloring books for kids are, and both kinds have a long history

By Merrill Fabry

The Surprisingly Peaceful History of Bastille Day Celebrations

The storming of the Bastille was violent but its first anniversary was just the opposite, as revolutionaries and royals celebrated together

By Merrill Fabry

Now You Know: Why Are There Special Gifts for Each Anniversary Year?

Many people give paper for a first anniversary, silver for a 25th and so on—but why? Here's what to know about the tradition's origins.

By Merrill Fabry

How Memorial Day Went From Somber Occasion to Summer Celebration

The Memorial Day holiday was originally meant to be a day to honor those killed in battle. How did it become a day for celebration instead?

By Merrill Fabry

Now You Know: Why Are Taxi Cabs Yellow?

In New York City the color is mandated by law

By Merrill Fabry

This Is Why Arbor Day Is a Thing

It was the idea of a tree-planting enthusiast in Nebraska

By Merrill Fabry

Points of Origin

Where this year's TIME 100 were born

By Merrill Fabry

Building a Nation

America has been creating the architecture of national life since before it was a nation.

By Merrill Fabry

50 Women Who Made American Political History

Celebrate these trailblazers

By Julia Zorthian , Merrill Fabry and Olivia B. Waxman

50 Women Who Made American Political History

As Americans mark Women's History Month, we take a look back

By Julia Zorthian , Merrill Fabry and Olivia B. Waxman

Now You Know: Why Is 'Teatime' in the Afternoon?

It started in the 1840s, some 200 years after tea was first introduced to England

By Merrill Fabry
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