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Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

Small, white rat (genus Rattus) on a glass table. (rodent, laboratory, experiment)

Cruel and Unusual Punishments: 15 Types of Torture

Poster one-sheet from "Frankenstein" (1931) with Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles, and Boris Karloff, directed by James Whale.

11 Famous Movie Monsters

Black widow spider

9 of the World’s Deadliest Spiders

Chinese dragon sculpture or statue.

10 Legendary Creatures from Around the World

American bison (Bison bison) also known as buffalo or plains buffalo on the prairie, western U.S.

What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?

Close-up of ostriches (Struthio camelus) necks and heads; location unknown.

6 of the World's Most Dangerous Birds

What did Marilyn Monroe accomplish?

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

In their first runs, Monroe’s 23 movies grossed a total of more than $200 million, and her fame surpassed that of any other entertainer of her time. She overcame her early image as a dumb and seductive blonde, winning critical acclaim as a serious actress for Some Like It Hot (1959).