Egyptians Once Lost a Battle Because Their Enemies had Cats on Their Shields
The Battle of Pelusium marked a significant turning point...
Egyptians Once Lost a Battle Because Their Enemies had Cats on Their Shields
The Battle of Pelusium marked a significant turning point...
The Last “Official” Civil War Widow Died in 2020
Helen Viola Jackson, the last known widow of a Civil War veteran, passed away on December 16, 2020, marking the end of an era in American history. Born in 1919, just after the conclusion of World War I, Helen grew up in the small town of Niangua, Missouri, surrounded...
Did You Know that London had a Bedtime of Around 8-9 pm?
Yes, it's fascinating to consider how different daily routines and lifestyles were in the past compared to today. In historical London, the concept of bedtime differed from what we're accustomed to now. In the past, particularly before the widespread availability of...
Unraveling the History of Solar Eclipses: Ancient Observations to Modern Understanding
Solar eclipses have captivated human imagination for millennia, inspiring awe, fear, and wonder across cultures and civilizations. As celestial phenomena where the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on our planet, solar eclipses have left...
There are Still Cases of Bubonic Plague in Mongolia and Neighboring Cities in Russia
Cases of bubonic plague still persist in Mongolia and neighboring cities in Russia. Despite being commonly associated with medieval times, the plague afflicts populations worldwide. Regions such as Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Peru are...
There was a Ship Called the SS Californian in the Atlantic Ocean Very Close to the Titanic Which Could Have Saved Them
The SS Californian, infamous as the 'Ship Who Watched Titanic Sink,' has left a lasting stain on the memory of the Titanic tragedy. Positioned just six miles north of the sinking ship, the Californian could have potentially reached the Titanic in time to offer aid....
If We Held a Minute of Silence for Every Victim of the Holocaust, the World Would Be Silent for 11.5 Years
The Holocaust remains one of the most devastating tragedies in human history, particularly for European Jewry. The sheer magnitude of the loss is difficult to comprehend, with approximately two-thirds of European Jews and one-third of all world Jewry perishing during...
It Took 60 Million Years for Nature to Develop Bacteria that Could Digest Trees
Yes, it's astonishing to think that nature took 60 million years to develop bacteria capable of breaking down trees. This remarkable process unfolded during the Carboniferous Era, which spanned from approximately 359.2 to 299 million years ago. During this era, vast...
The Evolution of the Tactical Flashlight: Illuminating the Past and Future
The tactical flashlight, a tool synonymous with reliability and versatility in illumination, has undergone a remarkable evolution. From its inception to its current state and beyond into the speculative future, this device has continuously adapted, reflecting...
Oxford University is Older than the Aztec Empire
Yes, it's surprising that Oxford University predates the Aztec Empire by about 250 years. Established in 1096 AD, Oxford University has a long and illustrious history, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. In contrast, the Aztec Empire emerged much...
Julius Wagner-Jauregg Treated Syphilis by Infecting Patients with Malaria
In 1927, Julius Wagner-Jauregg, an Austrian psychiatrist, received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking treatment of syphilis. His innovative approach involved intentionally infecting patients with malaria to induce a high fever, which proved effective...
The British Once Burned Down the White House
In the summer of 1814, during the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, Washington, D.C., the fledgling national capital, found itself at the heart of conflict. The British forces launched a devastating attack on the city, marking a humiliating...
Barbarian was a Name Given by Greeks to Anyone Who Couldn’t Speak Greek Because All They Thought They were Saying was “Bar Bar”
The term "barbarian" originated from the ancient Greeks, who used it to refer to people who couldn't speak Greek. This included various cultures, such as the Persians, Medes, Egyptians, and Phoenicians. The word "barbarian" comes from the Greek word "bárbaros," which...
Why Did the Titanic Lock Third Class Passengers Up When It was Sinking?
Contrary to popular belief, the Titanic did not intentionally lock third-class passengers below decks as it was sinking. The misconception likely stems from the fact that doors and gates separating third class from other areas of the ship were typically closed. This...
A Supervolcano Blacked the Sun for Around a Decade Around the Middle Ages
In 536 CE, a catastrophic event unfolded that cast a shadow over the entire Mediterranean region during the Middle Ages. According to Procopius, a Byzantine historian, the sun was shrouded in a thick fog that blanketed the skies, plunging the world into a year of...
The Ongoing (seventh) Cholera Pandemic is the Longest Pandemic We’ve Ever Seen, Started in 1961
The seventh cholera pandemic, which began in 1961, is the longest-lasting pandemic in history. It originated with a new strain of the cholera bacterium, known as El Tor, which was first identified in Egypt in 1897. This strain has since spread globally, causing...
Did you know the Color Pink was Synonymous with Baby Boys and Color Blue to Baby Girls?
Before World War II, the association between colors and gender for baby clothes was quite different from what we know today. It might surprise you that pink was considered a color for baby boys, while blue was associated with baby girls. The tradition of using neutral...
The Great Wall of China has Existed Longer than Christianity
The Great Wall of China stands as a great craftmanship of human ingenuity and perseverance. It stretches over thousands of miles across the northern borders of China. Construction of the wall began in the 7th century BCE, during the Warring States period, and...
Pirates and Sailors Didn’t Wear Eyepatches Because of Injuries
Contrary to popular belief, historical evidence suggests that pirates and sailors wore eyepatches not to prevent injuries but to cover empty eye sockets resulting from injuries. One prevalent theory, though lacking historical substantiation, posits that eyepatches...
Plague of Justinian Hastened the Fall of the Roman Empire
Between 541 and 543 AD, the devastating "Justinian" bubonic plague swept across the Mediterranean, claiming the lives of a staggering 35% to 55% of the population. While this plague did not directly cause the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it significantly hastened...
Augustus Caesar was the Wealthiest Man to Ever Live in History
Augustus Caesar, the inaugural emperor of the Roman Empire, is considered one of history's wealthiest individuals. His vast fortune, estimated at around $4.6 trillion in today's currency, made him potentially the richest person ever known. Augustus possessed a fifth...
Victorians Ate Arsenic to Make Their Complexion Paler
They associated a pale complexion with elevated social status, viewing it as a sign of wealth and prestige. Also, a fair complexion was seen as evidence that a woman did not engage in outdoor labor, further enhancing her perceived refinement and gentility. In the late...
In the Roman Empire, Gladiator Blood was Used to Treat Epilepsy
In ancient Rome, an unusual remedy for epilepsy existed: drinking warm blood drawn from the cutthroat of a slain gladiator. This peculiar practice was believed to impart strength and vitality to those suffering from the condition. The origins of this belief can be...
In the Ancient Olympics, Athletes Performed Naked
Back in the days of the Ancient Olympics, things were done a bit differently than they are now. Imagine this: athletes competing in their birthday suits! Yep, that's right - they performed completely naked. Now, this might sound surprising, but there's solid evidence...
The Egyptian Book of the Dead
The "Book of the Dead" is a term we use nowadays to talk about a bunch of ancient Egyptian ritual spells. These spells were like instructions and chants to guide people through the afterlife. It's a fascinating text because it gives us some really vivid pictures of...
Archeologists Discover Pizza Painting Dating Back Over 2,000 Years
Who invented Pizza afterall?
Historians Discovered A New Chapter In The Bible Hidden For 1750 Years
So old and well know yet so much we still do not know
18,000-Year-Old Frozen Puppy Confirmed As The Oldest Dog
Could this be one of the first domesticated dogs in history?
Archeologists Discover Pizza Painting Dating Back Over 2,000 Years
Who invented Pizza afterall?
Historians Discovered A New Chapter In The Bible Hidden For 1750 Years
So old and well know yet so much we still do not know
18,000-Year-Old Frozen Puppy Confirmed As The Oldest Dog
Could this be one of the first domesticated dogs in history?