The First Sexagesimal Clocks: Timekeeping Innovations of the Sumerians
When we glance at our watches or clocks today, we hardly think about the origins of the system that divides an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 …
World History
The Jolly Roger: A Friendly Dive into the History of the Pirate Flag
When we think of pirates, one of the first images that comes to mind is the iconic Jolly Roger—the black flag emblazoned with a skull and crossbones. This fearsome symbol …
The History and Mystery of Plague Masks: An Iconic Symbol of Medieval Medicine
When we think of historical pandemics, few images are as striking and iconic as the beaked plague masks worn by doctors during the Black Death. These masks, often depicted in …
The Affair of the Sausages: A Meaty Moment in the Swiss Reformation (1522)
When we think of pivotal moments in the history of the Reformation, Martin Luther’s 95 Theses or the Diet of Worms might come to mind. However, one of the more …
The First Recorded Labor Strike: Ancient Egyptian Workers Demand Their Due (c. 1157 BC)
In the annals of history, labor strikes are often associated with the industrial era, with images of factory workers picketing for better wages and working conditions. However, the concept of …
Project Iceworm: The Cold War’s Frozen Secret Beneath Greenland’s Ice
During the height of the Cold War, the United States embarked on numerous clandestine projects aimed at gaining a strategic advantage over the Soviet Union. Among the most ambitious and …
The Phantom Army of Ypres: The Mysterious Bowmen of World War I
World War I was a conflict marked by immense tragedy and profound bravery. Amidst the harrowing battles and the brutal realities of trench warfare, stories of heroism and legend emerged, …
The Dancing Plague of 1518: When Strasbourg Couldn’t Stop Dancing
Imagine waking up one day and finding your entire town swept up in a dancing frenzy. It sounds like the plot of a quirky movie (Footloose, anyone?), but in the …
The Spacecraft Graveyard: Point Nemo’s Secret World of Fallen Stars
Imagine a place on Earth so remote that it’s closer to the astronauts orbiting above us in the International Space Station than any human settlement. This isolated spot, known as …
The Deadly Pollen Fall of Sverdlovsk: A Tale of Mystery and Misfortune
In the spring of 1979, the city of Sverdlovsk, now known as Yekaterinburg, experienced a strange and deadly event that would baffle scientists and historians for years to come. This …