50 years of conquest saw Mongol armies at the gates of Hungary, Persia, and along the Yangtze facing the last remaining Chinese resistance. The Mongols thought they were invincible and with good reason. A succession of aggressive leaders started with Genghis Khan in 1211. This extended to their last truly expansionist ruler, his grandson Kublai […]
Cooperation vs. Chaos: The Mongolian Invasions of China and Japan Read More »
In the deep, shadowy depths of American history, few organizations have captured the public imagination, stirring up fear and apprehension, quite like the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Whether its agents were tracking down notorious outlaws in the Wild West, infiltrating unions, backroom negotiations, or working to protect the life of the President, the Pinkertons were a
The History of the Pinkerton Detective Agency: America’s Premier Private Detectives Read More »
You may have read about Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional monstrous hound in the famous Sherlock Holmes story titled, “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” But in the 18th century, a real-life bloodthirsty beast terrorized Gévaudan, an ancient Southern French county that today lies in the Department of Lozère. Known as La Bête du Gévaudan or the
The Beast of Gévaudan: Terror of the French Countryside Read More »
If you’ve ever seen the Batman movies, you’re probably familiar with the Joker’s leering, painted-on grin. It’s a bloody smile that stretches far beyond the corners of his mouth, making it evident that his cheeks have been sliced open from ear to ear. What you may not realize, is that this was an actual form
The History of the Glasgow Smile Read More »
Blood, guts, and glory. The Viking Age was a time of brutal conquest and even more brutal executions. Perhaps none are more shrouded in controversy and intrigue than the notorious blood eagle ritual. Legend has it that the Vikings were ruthless to their enemies. If you found yourself at the hands of a murderous Viking,
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There are plenty of events and names that stand out over the several centuries of American political history. But one name, in particular, stands out as both tragic and controversial: Budd Dwyer. He was a man whose career was marred by charges of corruption and bribery. His life seemed to be balanced on a razor’s
Budd Dwyer: The Man Who Killed Himself on Live TV Read More »
Elvita Adams was a fascinating woman. She gained notoriety for surviving a jump from the Empire State Building in 1979. The Empire State Building is one of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers. Located in downtown New York City, it was constructed in 1931 and comprises a whopping 102 stories. At the time of Adams’ jump,
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It’s said that behind every great man is a great woman. Mae Capone was no exception. While her husband’s infamy has overshadowed her story for decades, Mae Capone played a key role in the Capone criminal empire and lived a fascinating life of her own. From her early days as a girl in Brooklyn to
The Woman Behind the Gangster: A Look into the Life of Mae Capone Read More »
In ancient Athens, amidst wealth and greatness, there lived a man who sought to understand the world and the human condition through formal logic. His name was Socrates. Socrates was a philosopher whose influence on ancient philosophy and the Western philosophical tradition is immeasurable. His name is recognizable to almost everyone. Despite that, Socrates wrote
The Suicide of the Ancient Greek Philosopher, Socrates Read More »
Amid the Cold War‘s heated rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, an extraordinary tale unfolded outside of the spotlight of politics, warfare, and ideology. It took place hundreds of kilometers above the Earth’s surface. This is the captivating story of Laika. She was an ordinary stray dog plucked from the streets of
Laika: Soviet Space Dog & The First Animal In Orbit Read More »
