Richard Norris Williams was a passenger aboard the RMS Titanic who went on to become a National Tennis Champion in the United States and Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles tennis. The Swiss Philadelphian Williams was a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin. Both of his parents were from Philadelphia. His father, Duane Williams, helped to […]
The Life of R. Norris Williams: Titanic Survivor and Tennis Champion Read More »
Those who watched the 1995 epic historical drama ‘Braveheart’ know the story of Sir William Wallace quite well. He was the warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence. However, Hollywood has romanticized many aspects of his life. In this article, we discuss the real story of Sir William Wallace. Who
Sir William Wallace: The Real Story of the ‘Braveheart’ Warrior Read More »
Like most law enforcement, police officers in the city of Kyiv have dealt with their fair share of crime and other less serious disturbances. But on one fateful day in 2006, a few officers were met with something different. It was April 23, 2006, when a man was arrested for suspicious behavior. He looked to
The Mysterious Case of Sergei Ponomarenko–Time Traveler? Read More »
T.R. Roosevelt was an American politician. He advocated for a “strenuous life” of upstanding moral character, great physical effort, and an extensive education. In his case, this was achieved in no small part through his pursuit of boxing. A Homeschooled New Yorker Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was born and raised in Manhattan. He was the second
Teddy Roosevelt: President, World Traveler, and Boxer Read More »
Paul Reubens, aka “Pee-wee Herman,” was a man of profound contradictions. On one hand, he was the quirky-but-talented creator of the phenomenally successful cult classics, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Big Top Pee-wee. Also, the highly successful TV series, Pee-wee’s Playhouse. But on the other hand, he was the infamous celebrity caught masturbating in an adult
Paul Reubens: the Man Behind “Pee-wee Herman” Read More »
Charles Joughin was an acclaimed chef. He was best known for being the head baker on the RMS Titanic. Although the extravagance of the voyage is well known, the pastries that Joughin was responsible for creating are not why he is remembered. Instead, Joughin is best known for his remarkable survival in the face of
Charles Joughin: How Whiskey Saved The Head Baker of the Titanic Read More »
Every few generations, a sportsperson comes along and transcends the boundaries of their arena to become a bonafide cultural icon. These elite athletes represent the pinnacle of sporting excellence and the hopes and dreams of their legions of adoring fans. They become larger than life. Their legends persist long after their time in the spotlight
Muhammad Ali: The Boxer Who Chose His Name and Charted His Destiny Read More »
Today, Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh is considered second only to Rembrandt in raw talent and sheer genius. His striking use of color, forceful brushwork, and the contoured forms of his work effectively redefined Expressionism in modern art. In short, he is considered the master painter’s master. Ironically, Van Gogh sold only one painting in
The World’s Most Famous Synesthete: Vincent Van Gogh Read More »
She was beautiful and a warrior. Many thought she was too good to be true. Was Lagertha real? Lagertha is one of the most popular characters in Scandinavian legend. She was not a real person and she was thought to be inspired by the Amazons in Greek mythology. However, her story still made a massive
Lagertha: Maiden With the Courage of a Man Read More »
There are heavyweights in wrestling, and then there’s the McGuire Twins. Billy and Benny McCrary amassed 1,598 lbs. In the Guinness Book of World Records, that’s enough to make them the “world’s heaviest twins.” At their peak, Billy came in weighing 784 lbs while Benny was 814. The two men were born premature. Their weight
McGuire Twins: “World’s Heaviest Twins” of the Wrestling World Read More »
