Brianna York - History Defined

How Ancient Engineers Cooled Cities Without Modern Technology

Long before air conditioning and modern technology, ancient civilizations devised clever methods to keep their cities cool, even in scorching climates. From using building materials that didn’t conduct heat to reservoirs that surrounded villages, ancient engineers crafted ingenious solutions to battle the heat. By harnessing natural elements like wind, shade, and water, they developed sustainable […]

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The Tragic Life of Marie Antoinette’s Best Friend

Marie Therese Louise did not meet Marie Antoinette until she was married at the age of seventeen to the Prince de Lamballe. She was already a young widow by the time she met the young Dauphine, Marie Antoinette. The two became fast friends and confidants and the Princess de Lamballe was made superintendent of the

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5 Animals That Were Much Larger in the Prehistoric Era

The prehistoric period was a time when many creatures were much, much bigger than their ancestors who are alive today. However, there are just as many animals that are large today whose distant relatives were very small during their time. The prehistoric period can be tough to conceptualize due to the dichotomy between the sizes

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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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10 of the Strangest Trends From the Victorian Era

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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Death by Beer: The London Beer Flood of 1814

While the concept of a flood of beer filling the streets of your city does not sound frightening at first, the London Beer Flood of 1814 was a terrifying disaster that took eight people’s lives. The streets of London and many other cities during this period were narrow and cramped. Many people also lived below

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What were the most dangerous jobs in the Victorian Era?

The Industrial Revolution had many impacts on the social fabric of England during the Victorian era. Ingenuity in the form of machines, mass production, and the factory system improved how people lived life in the upper classes. However, the lower and working-class lives actually got worse. Abject poverty and a lack of personal opportunity to

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What Was the Enclosure Movement?

The Enclosure Movement doesn’t sound like it would have made a significant difference to English society through a modern lens. After all, everyday people are used to fencing off the land, designating land as having owners, and dividing up property amongst citizens to use as they wish. However, before the Enclosure Movement, common-use land was

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What Was the Factory System?

For those of us living today, it seems impossible that there was ever a time before factories produced all the goods we use in our daily lives. In reality, the factory’s rise is relatively recent regarding the scope of human history. For much of human existence, people made goods and grew food. Only the very

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Why Do People Believe Napoleon Was Short?

Napoleon is one of the most well-known characters in history. He is famous for many things, but interestingly, his height is one of the most notable discussion points. Even in his day, Napoleon was often referred to as a man of small stature. However, much of the discussion of his height was likely related to

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