You may not have heard of his name or even be able to pronounce it in one try, but you’ve surely heard his voice. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Kah-MAH-kah-VEE-voh-OH-lay) was the voice behind the popular medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.”Israel was large. He struggled with obesity all his life like several of his […]
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: A Voice Larger Than Life Read More »
Plenty of extraordinary individuals have deeply shaped, influenced, and transformed the world around us. Despite history’s tendency to focus on men, many remarkable women have also made their mark. Looking closer, we uncover thousands of stories of women whose contributions reverberate across time, from ancient civilizations to the modern day. These unsung heroines defied societal
50 Women Who Transformed History Read More »
Uhtred of Bebbanburg is a significant figure from the Anglo-Saxon period. After his death, a blood feud began which lasted for generations. Uhtred ruled Bamburgh as the ealdorman (a chief officer of a district during Anglo-Saxon England) of Northumbria from 1006 to 1016. But is he a real hero like the television series The Last
The Story of the Historical and Fictional Uhtred of Bebbanburg Read More »
The Olmec civilization is counted amongst the first major ‘cradles’ of civilizations in the world. It developed in the low-lying lands of Southeast Mexico. The Olmecs were believed to have existed between 1200 Before Common Era (BCE) and 500 Common Era (CE). While little is known about the civilization itself, the Olmec Colossal Heads found
Olmec Colossal Heads: Everything You Need to Know Read More »
Deep in the deserts of the Southwest and Northern Mexico, there is said to live a creature that has been feeding on the blood of animals and humans alike for the past several centuries. A monster that’s part bird, and part-woman. It is so powerful that once it sets its beady eyes on you, there
The Legend of the Fearsome Creature La Lechuza Read More »
Few animals have gained the kind of fame – and notoriety – as the orca known as Tilikum. He was captured off the coast of Iceland at the age of two. He was then held in captivity for the rest of his 35 years of life. Most of that time was spent in Orlando, performing
Tilikum the Killer Whale: A Tragic and Violent Life Read More »
In the world of drug traffickers, several men stand out as almost mythical figures – Pablo Escobar and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to name two of the most famous. But do you know who gave Pablo Escobar his start? Do you know who was the first narco trafficker to send cocaine into the United States?
The Cruel World of Drug Lord, Griselda Blanco Read More »
The Crimean War, only a portion of which involved combat on the Crimean Peninsula, pitted Imperial Russia against the Ottoman Empire, Great Britain, and France. It eventually involved Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia as well. Led by Great Britain and France, they saw themselves as balancing the great Russian bear. The war ended in
Crimean War: Balancing Europe on the Point of a Gun Read More »
In the 13th century, the Mongols were the undisputed lords of the vast Eurasian steppe, and Ghengis Khan was their fearsome leader. Under his rule, the various tribes of nomadic herders were finally united. This created a powerful force that went on to decimate towns and cities throughout China, Europe, and the Middle East. Everywhere
The Ruthless Ways Genghis Khan Punished His Enemies Read More »
In the long and storied history of France, the year 1789 is a demarcation line between the Old Order and what we now know as the modern country. It was a year marked by widespread hunger, protests, violence, and change. It was a year in which centuries-old concepts of social and political institutions were destroyed
The Painful Birth and Revolution of Modern France Read More »
