In today’s History newsletter:  The last days of the Neanderthals, a look inside the first Pride parade, and the rare burial ground revealing the Sahara’s green past. 

But first: Inside the decadent love affair of Cleopatra and Mark Antony.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRISTIE’S IMAGES/CORBIS/CORDON PRESS 

At first, their meeting was driven by politics and not pleasure. A Roman general and an Egyptian queen, Mark Antony and Cleopatra had good reason to be in each other’s respective good graces. But what started as a strategic relationship ended in seduction, scandal, and tragedy. Here’s how this ancient power couple flaunted their scandalous affair—all while challenging Rome’s power.

More stories:
— The truth behind the turbulent love story of Napoleon and Joséphine
— The alleged affair that started a century-long war

S. ENTRESSANGLE/E. DAYNES/SPL/ALBUM

PHOTOGRAPH BY NASA

On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to launch into space. Despite surviving NASA’s grueling training like every other astronaut, Ride faced one extra hurdle before she boarded the Challenger space shuttle: public scrutiny. Here’s how Sally Ride broke barriers for women and astronauts—and changed the face of the space program along the way.

TUNE IN: Sally begins airing on National Geographic June 16 and streams on Disney+ June 17. Check local listings.

BEFORE YOU GO: Ever wondered which animals would have been on Noah’s Ark? History has some theories.  

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter, edited and curated by Jennifer Baik and produced by Amanda Williams-Bryant. Catch our latest Photo of the Week every Sunday—and sign up here to get our future adventures in your inbox.