History Defined

Oliver Cromwell: The Man Who Killed a King and Changed the Course of English History

The history of England is filled with many military geniuses, influential politicians, and devout men of God. However, no one else may have fulfilled all three roles at once like Oliver Cromwell did. The United Kingdom as we know it today wouldn’t exist if not for Cromwell’s role in the English Civil Wars. Cromwell’s Complicated […]

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The Breaking Wheel: Horrors of an Ancient Torture Device

In the long stretch of human history, few instruments can evoke as much dread and revulsion as the breaking wheel. The breaking wheel was a gruesome and torturous device. Also known as the Catherine wheel, it was a macabre invention employed to inflict excruciating pain and death upon its victims. It originated in medieval Europe.

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Huang Dafa: A Man on a Mission

If there ever was a symbol of perseverance and determination, Huang Dafa is it. When the people in his village lost the ability to access fresh water and irrigate rice because of a severe drought that hit in the 1950s, Dafa dedicated 36 years of his life to bringing that water back. He dug a

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Ancient, Hairless Dog of the Gods: the Xolo Dog

The Xoloitzcuintli, better known as a Xolo dog, is an ancient breed that has existed for over three thousand years. Still popular in modern Mexico, this hairless dog takes its name from the Aztec god Xolotl. Xolotl Xolotl was an important Aztec god who guided souls – and the sun – through the underworld. He

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“Lady Day,” the Turbulent Life of Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday was gifted with one of the most identifiable voices in the history of recorded music. It was a voice that throughout her 26-year career (and since her untimely death in 1959) has indisputably placed her among the all-time “greats.” Songs like, “Them There Eyes” (1939), “Loverboy” (1941), “Good Morning, Heartache” (1946), and “T’ain’t

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Indus Valley Civilization: Urban Planning of 5,000 Years Ago

Urban planning refers to the process of structuring and appropriating urban spaces to their highest potential. It sounds like a modern term, but you may be surprised to hear that urban planning was already being used 5,000 years ago. The Indus Valley Civilization is one of the earliest in the world and the oldest in

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The Batavia Shipwreck: Mutiny and Murder

Australia is known for a lot of things. Dangerous spiders and venomous snakes among all sorts of other exciting wildlife. Beautiful cities like Sydney, and the inhospitable expanse of the outback are just a few examples. But there is something dark in the maritime history of Australia. It is something so disturbing that it is

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The Legend of the Missing Town: Doveland, Wisconsin

The term “ghost town” evokes certain mental images of dusty western towns empty of all human life, dilapidated mining towns with broken windows, and desolate streets. There is something inherently creepy about an empty town and the unknown stories of previous residents, something sinister about the things left behind. But what if instead of an

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Alice Roosevelt: A Famous First-Daughter

Many First Ladies have taken the spotlight away from their husbands. Such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, and Betty Ford. However, there was one president who was outshined by his own daughter. Alice Roosevelt Longworth was the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. She was a prominent figure in social and political circles during the turn

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Albert Fish: A Dark Tale of Sadism and Madness

Albert Fish is remembered as one of America’s most notorious and depraved criminals. His life story is a chilling narrative of sadism, insanity, and heinous acts that shocked the nation during the early 20th century. Fish’s legacy is a haunting reminder of the depths of human cruelty, and a warning that serial killers can be

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