A Trade War Turns Hot China is running a massive trade balance with a Western power based on consumer goods. What was the logical economic and political solution? Require China to accept more imports from that power to level the imbalance. Sounds a lot like 2023, but we’re talking about 1839. The Western power was […]
The Opium Wars: The Substance That Started a Trade War Read More »
Some might say, when it comes to French fries, that it’s all in the name. But…what if it isn’t? Golden, crispy French fries have been a staple of the culinary world for centuries. They pair perfectly with a hamburger, plate of chicken tenders, and even steak. But where we can trace the origins of a
The origin of the French fry is not as simple as you’d think Read More »
If you ask someone what the most famous ship in history is, there’s a good chance that their answer will be the Titanic. The tragic darling of dozens of movies, books, and songs, the Titanic earned her notoriety when she hit an iceberg and sank during her maiden voyage. But did you know that she
HMHS Britannic and RMS Olympic: The Titanic’s sister ships Read More »
It was November 2018 when an American missionary paid a small group of fishermen in the Indian city of Port Blair to ferry him somewhere that was forbidden. The fishermen were skeptical but accepted his payment of $335.47 American dollars. This missionary wanted to visit North Sentinel Island, the home of the Sentinelese, some of
North Sentinel Island: Home of one of the world’s most isolated tribes Read More »
It was early; so early that the sun hadn’t even risen, when Richard “Dick” Winters made his jump. The air was frosty, and the sky dark, so it was no surprise that he lost his weapon on the way down. Being a paratrooper came with hundreds of risks, so his gun being gone was preferable
Major Richard Winters: The iconic hero from Band of Brothers Read More »
As a child, were you ever afraid of going to the dentist? For most, that fear is largely irrational. But in Sweden beginning in the mid-1940s, the children of the Vipeholm mental institution were subjected to a dental experiment that was truly a nightmare. At the end of the years-long study, many of the patients
The Appalling History of the Vipeholm Experiments Read More »
The Shawnee people of the Ohio River Valley have a rich history of medicine, politics, and activism. All First Nations in North America have rich and storied histories; the Shawnee people are no different in that regard. The Shawnee nation was one of the most powerful nations on the continent with a long history including
The History and Culture of the Shawnee Tribe Read More »
In times of war, the movement of soldiers often leaves trails of death and destruction in its wake. But rarely, they happen to leave behind small acts of humor and mischief. “Kilroy Was Here” was one such mark. A simple phrase accompanied by a cartoonish drawing of a man peering over a wall. This graffiti
Exploring the Enduring Legacy of “Kilroy Was Here” Read More »
This photograph captures one of the last moments of this woman’s life. Cheng Benhua was a resistance fighter who gave her life defending her home country of China against the Japanese Imperial Army. She has become a symbol of bravery in the face of death and unspeakable abuse. Not long before striking this defiant pose, Cheng
The Haunting Smile of Cheng Benhua: Resistance Fighter Read More »
The modern history of science is rife with nuclear accidents. Amidst the tumultuous landscape of the mid-20th century – a pivotal time when great powers vied for supremacy, driven by clandestine nuclear discovery – these accidents were far too common. It was during this extraordinary, dangerous epoch that an infamous entity emerged – the demon
The Deadly Side of Nuclear Science: The Demon Core Read More »
