Civilizations throughout history have approached succession from numerous fronts, from religiously ordained kings to democracy and trials by physical prowess. These decisions arise from cultural, religious, and social beliefs, and what one civilization may view as just, another may not. In the case of the Ottomans, the means of succession occupied a middle ground: accepted […]
Fratricide: The brutal history of Ottoman succession Read More »
Siege warfare has been an effective strategy for military success for thousands of years, and the introduction of modern weaponry did not change such tactics; it only refined them. However, while political and military leadership address concepts such as blockades and sieges on paper, it is the citizens who live through the reality of those
The Horrific Struggle Of Civilians During the Siege of Stalingrad Read More »
Who hasn’t dreamed of discovering buried treasure at least once? From tattered pirate maps to legends of lost cities filled with priceless artifacts, humanity has been fascinated with uncovering the riches of the ages. The search for hidden gold, silver, and precious gems has led to many fascinating treasure discoveries over the years. These hidden
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On Nov. 5, 1983, four saturation divers from the Byford Dolphin suffered arguably the most catastrophic and gruesome ends in diving history. A dive tender also lost his life, while another diver survived despite sustaining massive injuries. The accident occurred in the Frigg Gas Field, situated between Norway and Scotland in the North Sea. The
Except for the class of 1915 (“the class the stars fell on”), no other group graduating from West Point has been as glorified as the Class of 1846. Graduating just as the Mexican-American War began, this band of brothers ultimately fought shoulder-to-shoulder (and in some cases, face-to-face) in three momentous wars: the Mexican-American War (1846-1848),
What Was so Special About West Point’s Class of 1846? Read More »
In 1939, the American media company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) produced an extraordinarily imaginative musical fantasy film adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s fantasy novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Notable for its use of Technicolor (a technique using a color motion picture process dating back to 1916 that provides a particularly surreal quality to this film), unforgettable characters, fantastic storyline,
From Book to Film, The Making of The Wizard of Oz Read More »
Few historians would disagree that the 1960s was the most culturally significant decade in American history—particularly in terms of American Pop culture. From the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to Woodstock (the biggest music festival in history, held in 1969), the 60s were a veritable roller-coaster ride of cultural evolution and revolution.
Paper Caper: The History of the Paper Dress Read More »
In 1962, Brendon Grimshaw, a 37-year-old British newspaper editor working in Kenya, decided to go on holiday in the Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 (mostly uninhabited) islands in the Indian Ocean. More than just a change of scenery, Grimshaw was looking for a change of life. As editor of some of the largest newspapers
Though the USA entered World War II later than its Allies, its military faced some of the fiercest battles in the entire war. Among the hundreds of brave young men who signed up were the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. Tragically, none of the five made it back alive, but their story serves as
Brothers in Blood, Brothers in Arms: The Sullivans’ Sacrifice in World War II Read More »
Think you know your favorite films inside and out? Think again. Tucked into the corners of iconic movies are clever nods, visual gags, and storytelling flourishes that most viewers will miss on the first (or fifth) watch. From bizarre props to background cameos linking entire cinematic universes, these brilliant hidden details prove that filmmakers sweat
Brilliant Hidden Film Details That Will Blow Your Mind Read More »
