26 Jul 2018 – RANDOM Times •

The true (and dramatic) history of Pocahontas: the first American Native died in England.

26 Jul 2018 Pavel

Pocahontas, the Native American princess, is known by most as the sweet young redskin who fell in love with Englishman John Smith during the initial period of British colonization. In 1995, Disney produced a beautiful animated film, which tells the encounter and alleged lovestory between John Smith and Pocahontas. Although Disney movies are notoriously fantastical tales, many people have believed that, in this movie, true events were told, even if somewhat fictional. However, this representation is very distant from historical events, and from the girl’s real life. It seems that…

Why British Royal Navy Sailors Preferred Their Booze on Fire?

26 Jul 201826 Jul 2018 Ivan

If today a flaming alcoholic drink is either the work of a skilled barman or a terrible mistake, just two centuries ago this ritual was commonplace among members of the British Royal Navy. Setting fire to rum helped sailors regulate their spirits, and perhaps, find a little sense of control amidst an otherwise chaotic life at sea. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the life aboard any Royal Navy ship signified brutal battles, unavoidable disease, and, to survive to it all, an inordinate amount of alcohol. To keep the seamen…

Centralia Ghost Town Church: stronger than the fire ~

26 Jul 201825 Jul 2018 Leo S

A mine fire has been burning under the deserted town since 1962, but this church is still standing! Over 50 years ago, a mine fire started below the small town of Centralia, in Pennsylvania. Some people says, that it was caused by a pile of rubbish that has turned on the coals in the pit, but no one knows the truth. Some attempts were made to put out the fire, with about $7 million spent, but at the end efforts were interrupted. In the 1980s, the underground blaze had spread…