Hell on Water
On July 30, 1945, just days after delivering components of the atomic bombs that were later dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, the USS Indianapolis was sunk by a Japanese submarine. Of the nearly 1,200 crew members on board, some 900 initially survived. Their ordeal, however, was just starting. For the next four days, they battled sharks, dehydration, and salt poisoning. By the time help arrived, only 316 made it out alive. Decades later, the Indianapolis continues to grip the public, with the tragedy serving as a basis for a best-selling nonfiction book and the famous soliloquy in Jaws.
The Story of the USS Indianapolis
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph
A Timeline of the Ship’s Sinking
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Patrick O'Neill Riley
Its Cargo: Parts for the Bombs Called Little Boy and Fat Man
U.S. Department of Defense
Discover More
Romantasy Island
The literary subgenre “romantasy”—which blends fantasy with elements of the romance novel—continues to grow in popularity. Let’s take a look at this burgeoning class of novels through two of its top practitioners.
She is sometimes referred to as the “queen of romantasy,” given that her best-selling series—including A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass—helped to popularize the genre itself. Although Maas’s books are often marketed under the young adult banner, many find that her work, which often features explicit themes, better fits the “new adult” or simply adult fiction category. According to her publisher, Maas’s books have sold more than 75 million copies and have been translated into 40 languages.
Rebecca YarrosEarlier this year Rebecca Yarros’s Onyx Storm sold 2.7 million copies in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling adult fiction book in 20 years. The novel is the third in her Empyrean series, which follows recruits at a military school in a world ruled by dragons. The series, which began with Fourth Wing in 2023, spent three months in the top spot on The New York Times bestseller list.
© Katie Marie Seniors
Political violence in the U.S.
In 21st-century America, the targets have included members of Congress, state legislators, and governors.
Asian elephant
The largest land mammal in Asia, these elephants have been classified as an endangered species since 1986.
Air India Flight 171
This passenger airliner crashed on June 12 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, claiming the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board.
The longest-living animal
On land that distinction goes to the tortoise. But in the water there’s an animal capable of living for 500 years.
A Current Affairs Program
For Students & Nonstudents
Football
Should Youth Be Allowed to Play Tackle Football?
Voting Age
Should the U.S. Voting Age Be Lowered to 16?
American Socialism
Should the United States Become Socialist?
Featured Games
See All
Quordle
Can you solve four words at once?
Tightrope
A daily trivia game
Blossom
Pick the best words
Octordle
The party starts at eight
Pilfer
A delightful ruthless word game
The Missing Letter
A daily crossword with a twist
Twofer Goofer
Think you know it, poet?
Victordle
Play head-to-head!
Sudoku
Your daily logic challenge
Trending Quizzes
See All Quizzes
Where in America is That?
Crisscross the U.S. by placing these famous landmarks.
From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology
Do you know which hero took a dip in the River Styx? Or what mysteries lurk inside the Labyrinth?
Ultimate Animals Quiz
What is a rattlesnake’s rattle made of? What animals can go over 180 miles an hour?
Guess the Language! Quiz
Can you recognize a language by its greeting?
Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz
Take this quiz or you may regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life.
American Civil Rights Movement Quiz
Test your knowledge of Americans’ tumultuous fight to end racial segregation and discrimination.
Name That Thing: Tools
A handy quiz to test your tool acumen.
The Dog Breed Quiz
Find out which breed can outrun a cheetah, which breed was created by monks, and much more.
Baking and Baked Goods Quiz
You may have a sweet tooth, but how much do you know about baking and baked goods? Test your knowledge with this quiz.
First Ladies of the United States Quiz
They have been hostesses, helpers, advisers, gatekeepers, guardians, confidantes, and sometimes formidable powers behind...
Britannica Premium Subscription
Unlock Exclusive Content!
Britannica's content is among the most trusted in the world. Subscribe to Britannica Premium and unlock our entire database of trusted content today.Subscribe Now!
Explore Britannica
More From Britannica
ProCon
Award-winning ProCon promotes critical thinking, education, and
informed citizenship by presenting the pro and con arguments to controversial issues in a
straightforward, nonpartisan, freely accessible way.
Britannica Money
Discover all you need to know about retirement, investing, and
household finance, without the jargon or agenda. Get reliable guidance, insight, and
easy-to-understand explanations, written, edited, and verified to Britannica’s exacting
standards.
Advocacy for Animals
Presenting Advocacy for Animals, a blog focused primarily
on animal rights, wildlife conservation, environmental health and safety, and the legal and
cultural issues related to these topics. This blog is a source of information and a call to
action. It is meant to be a provocation and a stimulus to thought regarding humanity’s
relationship with nonhuman animals.
Alain Elkann Interviews
Alain has been writing a weekly interview column for the Italian
newspaper La Stampa since 1989. His interviews celebrate some of the best known and
successful personalities of the present day.