Why were pineapples so expensive in the 1700s
Forget Lamborghinis or Instagram yachts. In 18th century Europe, the real status symbol was rough,…
How the Mongol Postal System Became the Fastest Network of the Medieval World
When one thinks of Genghis Khan, the mind doesn’t exactly leap to the image of…
The Great Molasses Flood – When Boston Was Buried in Syrup
On a crisp January afternoon in 1919, the North End of Boston became the site…
The Egyptian Obelisk in New York (and London… and Paris): A Tale of Giant Pointy Rocks and Imperial One-Upmanship
There’s something inherently strange about stumbling across an ancient Egyptian obelisk in the middle of…
The Forgotten Finnish Tourism Boom of the 1800s: When Lapland Became a Health Resort for Europe’s Coughing Elite
Lapland: today it conjures images of Santa Claus villages, reindeer sleigh rides and Northern Lights…
Napoleon’s Accidental Bunny Attack – When the Emperor Was Outwitted by Rabbits
He conquered Europe, redrew borders, and left an empire in his wake. But Napoleon Bonaparte—military…
Why Medieval People Slept Twice a Night: The Forgotten Habit of Biphasic Sleep
Absolutely nothing like a good midnight prayer followed by a snack and maybe a bit…
How British Tea is Actually Chinese, Indian, Dutch and Stolen
Once upon a teacup, the British Empire sat smugly with its pinky out, sipping what…
The Hittites: The Ancient Superpower History Forgot
If history were a popularity contest, the Hittites would be that underground band you’ve never…
Is the Great Wall of China Really What You Think It Is?
The Great Wall of China is often imagined as an unbroken, magnificent fortification stretching endlessly…
President Taft: Too Big for Politics, Too Brilliant for Just One Job
There are plenty of reasons President Taft stands out in American history, and yes, some…
Guelphs and Ghibellines: The Medieval Rivalry
Once upon a time, in the glorious mess that was medieval Italy, two factions decided…
The Lost Legacy of the Olmecs: Intriguing Facts About Mesoamerica’s Earliest Culture
The Olmecs are the mysterious ancestors of Mesoamerican culture, but despite their influence, we still…
Venice Carnival: The Secrets Behind the Masks
A City That Lived in Disguise Imagine a city where, for months on end, everyone…