Kings and queens wield a lot of power – and sometimes, they let that power go to their heads. Just look at the petty figures of historical royalty who started wars over minor slights, or publicly snubbed people for upsetting them. Queen Victoria ignored her daughter Beatrice for months after […]
She’s the most successful serial killer whose name you’ve never heard. Giulia Tofana killed hundreds of men in 17th-century Italy when she turned her makeup business into a poison factory, selling a deadly concoction called Aqua Tofana. Her crimes place her among the most deadly female serial killers in history, […]
Accidents happen all the time. People become distracted and drop items from their hands, clumsily knock things off shelves, and misinterpret kitchen recipes that sometimes produce disastrous results. While everyone suffers from clumsiness or preoccupation now and then, inventors, chemists, and engineers typically do everything they can to prevent accidents […]
The Renaissance lasted from the 1300s to the late 1600s, and what a time it was to be alive. Even if you don’t love Renaissance Faires (and come on, who doesn’t?), you should definitely love the Renaissance itself. Where else can you find such an amazing blend of art, philosophy, […]
Elisabeth of Austria was one of the most powerful monarchs of the 19th century. Remarkably beautiful, Elisabeth, nicknamed Sisi, defied Austrian court traditions. She traveled often and became a beloved figure in both Austria and Hungary. Elisabeth was very concerned with her looks; she engaged in strange beauty rituals and […]
There are certain cities throughout the world that we all know the names of: Paris, Tokyo, New York, Moscow. We likely know one or two things about each of these cities. Paris has the Eiffel Tower. New York has Broadway. But each city has its own, unique elements that not […]
Perhaps if he’d been born a few years earlier, Geronimo would have lived out his life as an Apache chief, adhering to tradition and ensuring the safety of his people. As it happened, one of the most famous Native Americans in history was born to a life of turmoil at […]
We learn about geography in school. We have a basic understanding, or at least we should, of where places are, how they got there, and why they are that way. We piece together an image of the world in our heads based on maps and globes, things we hear in […]
Islands are supposed to be sunny, peaceful, and warm – exotic locales where you spend time on the beach, maybe do a bit of snorkeling, and even enjoy a few fruity drinks. Except sometimes, none of that happens. The world sports many deceptively beautiful islands, ones that look pleasant but […]
In the era of the battle royale, it’s no wonder that renewed interest has arisen in deciphering once and for all who the toughest warriors of all time were, both in the general sense and in the specific. Ranking various historical armies and their members is all well and good, […]
