Modern - History Defined

Belle Gunness: The disturbing life of the lady Bluebeard

American history is chock-full of dark figures and cold-blooded killers. Possibly none more unnerving and perplexing than the infamous “Black Widow,” Belle Gunness. The story of Belle Gunness is both fascinating and terrifying. From her modest beginnings in her early life to her gruesome crimes, then unexplained disappearance, Gunness holds a particularly unique place among …

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The Donner Party’s Harrowing Journey and Struggle for Survival

The Donner Party is a name synonymous with tragedy, desperation, and survival. Their story is one of adventure and the pursuit of a better life. The bonds of family and community held together this group of pioneers as they set out to cross a continent. It is also a story of tragedy, the human cost …

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From Slave to Lawman: The Incredible Life of Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves was a true legend of the American Old West. In that expanse of the great frontier, where lawlessness reigned and danger lurked around every corner, Reeves made his mark as a beacon of justice and hope. Born a slave, he defied the odds and rose to become one of the most respected and …

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Johanna Bormann: The life of “The Weasel of Auschwitz”

Upon the liberation of concentration camps following World War II, the Allied forces discovered the nightmarish aftermath of the Holocaust. The camps in Nazi-occupied territories were rife with scenes of mass murder, suffering, and depravity. One of the most disturbing discoveries was at Bergen-Belsen, which the British Army liberated on April 15th, 1945. Again, the …

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Josef Mengele: Who was Auschwitz’s Angel of Death?

The Holocaust was one of the darkest periods in human history, characterized by unspeakable atrocities committed by the Nazi regime against Jews and other marginalized groups. The core of this brutal campaign was the Nazis’ infamous concentration and extermination camps, where prisoners were subjected to unimaginable horrors in the name of racial purity and ideological …

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The Life and Adventures of “Big Nose” Kate

In the Wild West of the 19th century, few left such a fascinating tale as the colorful life of “Big Nose” Kate. A character with a checkered past, Kate was a woman unlike many of her time. She defied convention and carved out a place for herself in a world dominated by men. From her …

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Princess Qajar of Persia: The True Story Behind the Meme

A “Princess Qajar” history meme has been making the rounds on the internet for years. It shows a Persian princess with a mustache claiming that she was a symbol of beauty in the 19th century, and many men committed suicide after she rejected them. The vagueness of this claim and its perceived unlikelihood has made …

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Lucky Luciano: The Iconic Mafioso Behind the American Mafia

Lucky Luciano, the notorious American Mafia boss, was one of the most influential and feared criminals of the 20th century. His name is synonymous with the rise of organized crime in the United States and the establishment of the Mafia. A gangster, through and through, Luciano lived an astounding life full of intrigue, danger, and …

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Defenestration: How Throwing People out of Windows Changed History

Throwing someone out of a window may seem like a bizarre and archaic form of protest. However, throughout European history, this violent act was used more often than you would expect in hopes of achieving important social and political goals. The word “defenestration” originates from the Latin word “fenestra,” meaning “window,” and “de,” a suffix …

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A Look Inside The Haunting Past of 19th-Century Mental Hospitals

The subject of mental health has always carried aspects of social stigma, judgment, and harsh treatment for those struggling with their mental well-being. While it is slightly less stigmatized today, there are still many misconceptions linked to mental health and wellness. During the 18th Century, mental hospitals were almost uniformly called asylums and were often …

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