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For those who think Mardi Gras is a weeks-long celebration of debauchery, drunkenness, and nudity–you’re right. But only half right.  At the heart of it, Mardi Gras is also a Christian holiday traced to pagan spring and fertility rites dating back thousands of years that has become a popular cultural phenomenon worldwide.  And although Mardi […]

It is said to be the finest sword ever made by the master swordsmith Gorō Nyūdō Masamune.  A blade whose cutting edge is so razor-thin that it’s no thicker than an atom. Created over 700 years ago, it was passed down from one shogun to the next for generations. Then came World War Two.  The

Hara-kiri translates to “belly cutting” or “stomach cutting.” As the name implies, it involves slicing your stomach with a knife. It’s a horrific, agonizing way to go. So why would anybody willingly do it to themselves? The answer concerns the strict samurai code of conduct, which placed honor above all else. For a samurai, death

Most people know Sir Christopher Lee for his outstanding performances as Saruman in The Lord of the Rings, Count Dooku in Star Wars, Scaramanga in The Man with a Golden Gun, and his most iconic role as Dracula in ten Hammer Horror films.  But Lee was more than an actor with a long list of roles and a

There is always something poetic about deathbeds. They signal the end of life, the brink of an inevitable loss, and a transition to the hereafter. But more often than not, the poetic appeal of deathbeds depends on their character and the quality of their life. We want to hear their last words and see through

This infamous photo shows Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in front of the White House. Next to him is his only son, Juan Pablo Escobar. People believe the image is from around 1981, though there’s no exact date. Escobar took his family to Disneyland on this same trip. How Did Pablo Escobar Pose in Front

Since medieval times, Christian Monks have been shaving their head on top in the way we’ve all come to associate them with.  The style, bald with a brim of hair, is as iconic as their dark brown attire, but what is it that makes Christian Monks adopt this rather unusual, and some would say unflattering,

The world of luxury sports cars is one of competition both off and on the road. Cars designed for high speeds and good looks are a niche market, and that means companies that sell such high-end vehicles need every advantage they can to stay competitive since every sale counts.  Sometimes, that drive for competition creates

Few people know William Whipple’s name, despite his participation in one of the most important moments in American history — the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But even more obscure is the story of Prince Whipple, William’s long-time slave and bodyguard, depicted in the famous portrait of Washington Crossing the Delaware. William Whipple gains

What’s a story without a little buzz, humor, and hyperbole? This probably explains why many common stories passed down through generations survive on some form of twist – or exaggeration – to survive and command some fanfare. To a large extent, Hollywood, history teachers, and the media are the chief perpetrators of these stories. But