From the sprawling fields of Rohan to the white spires of Minas Tirith, Middle Earth is so familiar, and so fully formed, that sometimes it’s hard to comprehend that it isn’t real. J.R.R Tolkien set out to write just a simple children’s book about a little Hobbit going on an adventure, and in the process, […]
JRR Tolkien and the creation of Middle Earth Read More »
One child can be a handful, and each additional one adds more responsibility and even stress on even the most even-keeled of parents. Families can come in all sorts of sizes, but eventually, a lot of parents ask themselves “How many kids are too many?”. For the Vassilyev family, the answer was quite unique. For
Feodor Vassilyev: The man who fathered 69 children Read More »
Today, school shootings are something we have become all too familiar with, even numb to. But back in the 70s, school shootings were unheard of. Brenda Ann Spencer was a 16 year old student who lived across the street from Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego. On the morning of January 29, 1979, she
Brenda Ann Spencer: A Bad Case of the Mondays Read More »
During the late 19th century, America was going through a period of profound economic transformation. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, cities were expanding rapidly, and the country was transitioning from an agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse. This era was also marked by significant financial turbulence, including the financial panics in 1884 and
Burke vs Bowen: The Longest Boxing Match in History Read More »
Richard Kuklinski was an American criminal known as the Iceman, an apt nickname for the cold-blooded murderer he was. Though he was convicted of four out of five counts of murder, he claimed to have killed between 100 and 200 men for which authorities couldn’t find proof. Many also dismissed Richard’s claims because he was
Richard Kuklinski: Cold-Blooded Killer Known as the Iceman Read More »
There was a time when only men could receive formal education, even in matters like obstetrics and gynecology. Though women had more firsthand experience in childbirth, the male perspective always prevailed. However, that changed when Justine Siegemund proved herself in the field of midwifery and became an irrefutable authority on the subject. Justine wrote The
Justine Siegemund: The Mother of Obstetrics and Midwifery Read More »
You may not have heard of his name or even be able to pronounce it in one try, but you’ve surely heard his voice. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Kah-MAH-kah-VEE-voh-OH-lay) was the voice behind the popular medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.”Israel was large. He struggled with obesity all his life like several of his
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: A Voice Larger Than Life Read More »
Plenty of extraordinary individuals have deeply shaped, influenced, and transformed the world around us. Despite history’s tendency to focus on men, many remarkable women have also made their mark. Looking closer, we uncover thousands of stories of women whose contributions reverberate across time, from ancient civilizations to the modern day. These unsung heroines defied societal
50 Women Who Transformed History Read More »
Blanche Dumas was a woman of extraordinary physical attributes. She defied societal norms and transformed her unconventional existence into a captivating tale. She was born in the 19th century with dipygus. This meant that she boasted two fully functional vaginas, as well as four breasts and three legs. She certainly captivated the imaginations of onlookers.
The Strange Life of Blanche Dumas Read More »
It was rare for Black people to rise to power during the time of segregation. But against all odds, Bumpy Johnson somehow managed to do so. Between the 1950s and the 1960s, he was the most powerful man in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Though he was arrested dozens of times, Bumpy always
Bumpy Johnson: The Godfather of Harlem Read More »
