In Ancient Greece, Wearing Skirts was Manly
During the vibrant era of ancient Greece, spanning from the archaic to the classical periods, which stretched approximately from 800 to 323 BC, the attire of both men and women reflected a distinctive cultural and sartorial identity. Contrary to modern perceptions,...
Traveling The Dangerous Darien Gap
Every parent wants a better life for their children than they had. Unfortunately, for many immigrants around the world, especially those in South American Latin America, that is impossible. Immigrants want their nations to provide them with better nutrients,...
Black Dinner to Red Wedding: The Historical Inspiration Behind a Game of Thrones Tragedy
While the clans celebrated, drank to their heart’s desire, and enjoyed a break from the never-ending war, they failed to recognize the true plan that was being put into action. Catelyn and Robb Stark enjoyed the Frey’s hospitality which eventually turned into a...
Turkeys were once worshiped as Gods
Indeed, turkeys held a significant role in the religious beliefs of the ancient Maya civilization. According to Maya tradition, turkeys were revered as sacred creatures, believed to possess special abilities granted to them by the gods. As messengers of the divine...
Rats killed over 75 million Europeans in the Middle Ages
In the mid-1300s, humanity faced one of its darkest chapters: the Black Death. This devastating outbreak of bubonic plague ravaged vast regions, claiming the lives of an estimated 75 to 200 million people. The toll was particularly severe in Europe, where 30 to 60% of...
An 11-year-old Accidentally Invented Ice Pops
Back in 1905, a young 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson stumbled upon a sweet surprise right here in the Bay Area. It all started innocently enough while Frank was playing around his Oakland neighborhood. One hot day, he mixed some soda powder with water in a cup...
The Statue of Liberty was Once a Lighthouse
Once envisioned as a towering beacon to guide ships safely through treacherous waters, the Statue of Liberty embarked on a different journey than originally intended. Initially serving as a lighthouse from its inauguration in 1886 until 1906, the statue's torch was...
In the 16th Century, it was Fashionable to have Black Teeth
During the 16th century in medieval Japan, wealthy married women embraced a unique trend known as ohaguro, which involved blackening their teeth. This practice wasn't just a passing fad but a symbol of status and beauty. The method was quite straightforward: iron...
The British royal family is banned from playing Monopoly
Queen Elizabeth imposes strict rules on the royal family, including bans on certain activities like taking selfies and flying together. Surprisingly, one of the lesser-known restrictions involves the popular board game, Monopoly. Although you might assume that the...
Habsburgs of Austria were required to do a pre-dinner weigh-in on Christmas
The Habsburgs of Austria, known for their rich Christmas traditions, have a peculiar custom that has intrigued many over the years. Featured in films like "Spencer," this unique tradition involves royal family members participating in a pre-dinner weigh-in before...
Julius the Cat is the Oldest Animated Character Created by Walt Disney
Before Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Julius the Cat was one of Walt Disney's earliest animated characters. Julius debuted in 1922 in the Alice Comedies, Disney's first animated series. However, his roots trace back even further to the Laugh-O-Gram shorts,...
Nintendo Existed Far Before Even WW1 as a Card Company
Nintendo, the iconic name synonymous with video games and entertainment, has a history that stretches back further than many might realize. While we often associate Nintendo with cutting-edge technology and digital innovation, its origins trace back to a much earlier...
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...
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....
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...
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...
