Robert Ripley

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Ripley's first Odditorium opened in 1933.

Step Right Up

The first Ripley’s Believe It or Not! opened at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. The “Odditorium” saw an astounding two million visitors. Inside were dozens of Ripley’s famous cartoons, live performers, and hundreds of strange and exotic artifacts Ripley acquired from his worldly travels.

Ripley's first Odditorium opened in 1933.
Swirling Pinstripe backdrop
Ripley's Cartoon of the Day

May 18, 2026

Cartoon of the Day

In 2024, Illinois resident Tony Piraino did 26,100 squats in 24 hours!

Ripley's Cartoon of the Day

Robert Ripley began the Believe It or Not! cartoon in 1918. Today, it continues uninterrupted as the world’s longest-running syndicated cartoon.