Imagine walking through a bustling city of thousands of people. There are towering earthen mounds and busy marketplaces, all nestled in the heartland of America over a thousand years ago. Although it sounds like a fantastical dream, it was a real place – Cahokia. The history of Cahokia is a captivating tale of an indigenous […]
Cahokia: The rise and fall of North America’s largest pre-Columbian City Read More »
The musical Hamilton instigated a revival of renewed interest in the founding fathers. It’s easy to reduce the founding fathers to dry facts, important dates, and a timeline of battles and laws that we trot out for school tests. However, these were unique individuals who worked hard to create a country from a conglomerate of settlements. They
8 Strange Facts About the Founding Fathers That Never Made the History Books Read More »
In the dimly lit corners of French history, there lurks a chilling tale that has captivated imaginations for centuries. It is a saga of fear, superstition, and group hysteria. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the French Werewolf Panic swept across the land like a howling storm. It left terror, fear, and death in its
The French Werewolf Panic: A Lesson in Mass Hysteria Read More »
Within the depths of medieval history, one name stands out among the rest as a testament to the might and fortitude of the Viking people. Sweyn Forkbeard, the first Viking king of England, was a warrior with no equal and a figure whose legacy lived on for centuries. His life was marked by adventure, danger,
The Saga of Sweyn Forkbeard: England’s First Viking King Read More »
In the long, winding course of fashion history, few pieces of clothing have captured the imagination and become as iconic as the Elizabethan ruff collar. This remarkable accessory, worn by people of all different ages and genders throughout Europe and England during the 16th and 17th centuries, was much more than a mere collar. It
Ruff Collars: The Fashion Statement of Elizabethan England Read More »
Napoleon Bonaparte’s legacy looms large in history. He was a man whose ambition and military prowess reshaped the map of Europe and the world. Of all the stories and legends told about him, perhaps none is as bizarre and unexpected as Napoleon’s unfortunate run-in with some bunnies. Napoleon Bonaparte was a conqueror of nations and
Napoleon versus the horde of “killer” Bunny Rabbits Read More »
Stealing the crown jewels sounds like it might be included in the plot of a James Bond movie or a mysterious spy story. In the late 1600s, Thomas Blood hatched a plan to steal and sell (or possibly even destroy)the crown jewels belonging to the English crown. This was a brave but foolhardy plot, even
Thomas Blood: The Dashing Thief Who Stole the Crown Jewels Read More »
In the sprawling network of Soviet forced labor camps known as the Gulag, millions of men and women were subjected to unimaginable horrors. They were forced into back-breaking labor and inhumane living conditions, including the daily threat of torture, execution, and murder. The Gulag was an instrument of political repression. It was used by Soviet
Surviving the Gulag: Life and Death in Stalin’s Forced Labor Camps Read More »
For centuries, the name Ragnar Lodbrok struck fear into the hearts of people across Europe. The name conjures images of fearsome Viking warriors, their longships cutting through the waves as they set out to conquer new lands. Ragnar was more than just a warrior, however; he was a figure of legendary proportions. One whose story
The life of Ragnar Lodbrok, the legendary Viking leader Read More »
With a legacy of fierce battles, legendary expeditions, and a powerful lineage, Bjorn Ironside is easily one of the most captivating figures of the Viking Age. As the son of the great Viking king Ragnar Lothbrok, Bjorn was destined for greatness from birth. But it was his skill, courage, and cunning that made him a
Bjorn Ironside: The Son of Viking King, Ragnar Lothbrok Read More »
