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 […]
Princess Qajar of Persia: The True Story Behind the Meme Read More »
In the desert of modern-day Iraq, a towering structure of baked bricks rises from the earth like a monument to the gods. The Ziggurat of Ur, one of the oldest and most impressive structures of the ancient world, remains a lasting testament to the ingenuity and impressive abilities of the Sumerian civilization. For centuries, this
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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
Lucky Luciano: The Iconic Mafioso Behind the American Mafia Read More »
Journey back in time to the enthralling land of ancient Egypt, and you’ll find a society divided through a complex and rigid social hierarchy, which governed every aspect of its people’s lives. At the top of the social pyramid stood the Pharaoh, followed by the elite nobility, priests, and scribes who held the keys to
From Pharaohs to Slaves: Social Classes in Ancient Egypt Read More »
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
Defenestration: How Throwing People out of Windows Changed History Read More »
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
A Look Inside The Haunting Past of 19th-Century Mental Hospitals Read More »
Germany was the birthplace of the automobile. In 1889, Karl Benz invented the Motorwagen, the first practical gasoline-powered car. Well, practical is a bit of an overstatement. It had a top speed of only ten mph, was a tricycle, and had a steering system more like that of a boat than what we would today
The Autobahn: Unraveling the Story of the World’s First Superhighway Read More »
Imagine a world where the simple act of opening a letter or accepting a drink could be a fatal mistake. In 17th-century Italy, Aqua Tofana became the infamous poison of choice for those looking to kill their enemies discreetly. It gained its reputation as a deadly and, more importantly, virtually undetectable poison. Because of this,
Aqua Tofana: The Notorious Poison that Plagued 17th-Century Europe Read More »
The Victorian period extended from 1820 to 1914, and during this time, social change, economic growth, and the rise of the Industrial Revolution changed how people lived all around Europe and in the United States. The Victorians were a study of opposites. They were excited by the possibilities of a new and changing future, and
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The eighteenth century was an age of courtly excesses. In the time of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, the palace of Versailles outside Paris became notorious for parties of extravagance and debauchery during the height of Britain’s economic growth. It was an age of decadence that often manifested itself in how people appeared.
The Deadliest Fashion Trends of the Georgian Era Read More »
