In all of military history, there has never been another figure quite like the audacious and eccentric Mad Jack Churchill. He was a British Commando of World War II acclaim, whose extraordinary exploits have been recounted many times. He was known for charging into battle armed with a longbow, bagpipes blaring, and his resolve never wavering. […]
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At first glance, the so-called Spanish Donkey may not seem menacing. But take a closer look. It was shaped like a pommel horse in gymnastics, but with a pointed triangular edge facing upwards. This device’s shape ensured that its victims received a gruesomely agonizing experience. Used first in Medieval Europe, particularly during the Spanish Inquisition,
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There are few images more moving and more influential than that of Thich Quang Duc and his symbolic self-immolation. In the turbulent landscape of early 1960s South Vietnam, this poignant moment of protest left the world both astonished and captivated. Thich Quang Duc was a devoted Buddhist monk, living in a nation torn by turmoil
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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 »
Most people have experienced a time in their lives when showering might not have been the top priority. It could be because of a lack of time, forgetfulness, or just a lack of access to bathing facilities. A few days between bathing isn’t odd at all. It’s when you get up to a week or
Amou Haji: The man who didn’t shower for 67 years Read More »
Very few places on the planet are genuinely lawless, but for a long time, one of these rule-free enclaves existed within Kowloon City. Known as Kowloon Walled City, this place was not only free of governing bodies but was also thought by many to be the most densely populated place on earth. At its peak,
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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 shadowy world of international espionage, few incidents have captured the public imagination quite like the Compromise of the Great Seal. What ensued was a high-stakes spying scandal featuring covert operations, international diplomacy, and technological innovation. The “Thing” has captivated those who have learned about it ever since. The Soviet Union’s brazen planting of
How the Soviet Union Managed to Spy on the U.S. Ambassador: The Great Seal Bug Read More »
During a time when slavery had been abolished in most of the world, human zoos remained a popular attraction for millions of Europeans and Americans. They flocked to exhibits showing groups of dark-skinned people from Africa, Asia, and North America surrounded by trappings that were supposed to represent their “natural environment.” Most of these cruel
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The incredible life of Robert Smalls is a story of courage and daring. Smalls was born into slavery in the South in the 1800s. He rose from humble beginnings to become a naval hero, a political pioneer, and a champion for civil rights. But it was his incredible escape from the chains of enslavement that
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