The fish dish that killed a King…
England’s King Henry I died aged 66 on this day, December 1, 1135 after eating what was described at the time as “a surfeit of lampreys”. Of course, his death […]
Grace Darling, the Lighthouse Heroine
Maybe not everyone knows her, but It would be wrong to describe Grace Darling as an unsung heroine: songs have been composed about her right up to 2017, but also […]
Nell Gwyn: the temptress who enchanted a king
In history, King Charles II consorted with a long line of mistresses and had 13 children by them. Nell Gwyn, who died on this day, November 14, 1687, is the […]
Stamford bull run: a custom demised after 700 years of cruelty
If you are lucky enough to own a castle you want to enjoy the fine views on your lands from your windows. And that, according to legend, is just what […]
The true story of Lord Lucan, the British aristocrat who killed his maid and disappeared forever
In 1974, Britain, and later much of the rest of the world, was captivated by the brutal murder of a 29-year-old nanny named Sandra Rivett, and the disappearance of the […]
Meikleour Beech Hedge: the Guinness Record holder for largest hedge in the world is a verdant Scottish bulwark.
The Meikleour Beech Hedge, located near the village of Meikleour, in Scotland, measures 30 meters (98 feet) in height, making it the tallest hedge in the world. Planted in 1745, […]
The tragedy of Aberfan: what happened that fateful October 21, 1966
A terrible tragedy known across the world by the name of the South Wales village where it happened, Aberfan, occurred on this day, October 21, 1966, when millions of cubic […]
Old San Juan cemetery: the white graveyard overlooking the ocean that is accessed through a tunnel.
According locals, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, even a cemetery is extraordinary. And, apparently, this is one of the most beautiful in the world. Nestled on a hill in front […]
El Cañuelo: the small fort that played a huge role defending Puerto Rico’s capital city
Puerto Rico is well known for its well-preserved Spanish fortifications in Old San Juan, such as El Morro, the most visited tourist attraction on the island. However, while you exploring […]
The sad history of London’s Speakers’ Corner
Free speech laws in United Kingdom include some notorious exceptions: Saying anything to incite religious and racial hatred, threaten the monarchy, or endorse terrorism may be considered unlawful. But there […]
Ruins of Lazaretto de Isla de Cabras: the crumbling remnants of a 19th-century quarantine hospital that hint at the touristy island’s darker past.
Isla de Cabras (traslates as Goat’s island) in the town of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, is known today for its beaches, spectacular views of Old San Juan, and other recreational […]
Edith Cavell: the heroine nurse of England
Every year, two chosen nurses lay a wreath on the statue of such as Edith Cavell near Trafalgar Square in central London. Meanwhile, some 320 km north-east of the capital, […]
Qiyi City Forest Garden: the “Vertical Forest” in Chinese residential complex that becomes a mosquito-infested jungle
The Qiyi City Forest Garden residential complex in Chengdu, China, was supposed to be a green paradise for its residents…however, two years on, the pictoresque vertical forest concept has turned […]
Lepanto: the battle that saved Europe
Considered by many to have been the most important naval engagement in human history, the Battle of Lepanto was fought on this day, October 7, 1571. In short, It saved […]
Phet and Ploy: the most expensive cat wedding in the world!
On this day, October 5, 1996, a beautiful bride wore a pink satin dress and arrived by helicopter. And the groom, dressed in a pink tuxedo with precious lacy cuffs, […]
The days that vanished and the switch to the Gregorian Calendar
As all we known, Julius Caesar was a brilliant Roman general. Born of a patrician family, he rose through the political and military ranks of Republican Rome to become Consul […]
Hongeo: South Korea’s stinkiest food that smells like a public restroom
Hongeo is a bizarre South Korean dish with a “pungent” aroma that most people describe as a mix of dirty public toilet and wet laundry left untended for days. Made […]
October 1, 1908: Ford Motor Company unveils the Model T, the “car of the century“
Hailed as “the car of the century,” the first Model T Ford rolled off the assembly line in Detroit, Michigan, on this day, October 1, 1908. One of the leading […]
September 27, 1825: the first time in history that a steam locomotive carry passengers on a public railway
For the first time in history a steam locomotive carried passengers on a public railway on this day, September 27, 1825. The engine was called Locomotion No. 1 and in […]
Tomás de Torquemada: the mad monk burns 2,000 at the stake
On this day, September 16, 1498 a frail, 78-year-old Dominican monk offered his final prayers to God, turned his face to his pillow, then died.And thousands rejoiced. He was Tomás […]
The boy who made one of the most stunning archaeological discoveries of all time…
On this day, September 12, 1940 a French teenager took his dog for a walk. Well, a simple everyday event, surely nothing special. However, this event lead to one of […]
#September 10, 1547: Battle of Pinkie Cleugh between English and Scottish forces
On this day, September 10, 1547, along the banks of the River Esk, a massive battle occurred that pitted Scottish and English forces in what has been called the first […]
Chichen Itza Chirp: clapping at base of an ancient pyramid echoes the call of a sacred bird
Chichen Itza, a pre-Colombian archaeological site built by the Mayans in northern Yucatan, Mexico, is home to many architectural and cultural wonders, and one of this has baffled acoustics experts […]
When London burned: 1666’s Great Fire
Thomas Farriner was a baker who served King Charles II, supplied bread to the Royal Navy, and lived in Pudding Lane, London. All regular, until he went to bed on […]
Whiting: the natural phenomenon that causes Nevada’s Lake Pyramid to turn turquoise
Once every 7 to 10 years, a remote lake in Nevada experiences an algae boom so significant that its color changes from dark blue to a vibrant turquoise, in a […]
Mysterious safe discovered in the middle of a New York field (to remain locked)
Probably this is another thing to add to “weird things that happened in 2020” list: a locked safe with a mysterious note attached to it, discovered in the middle of […]
Battle of Cajamarca: how 200 conquistadors conquered an empire of 10 million
The Inca people named their empire “Land of the Four Quarters” or Tahuantinsuyu and in 1533 it was the largest in the world: It covered 2,500 miles and stretched from […]
Kek Lapis Sarawak: the Malaysia’s most complex dessert
Kek Lapis Sarawak is a traditional Malaysian cake famous both for its intricate kaleidoscopic appearance and the grueling process required to make it. Kek translates as “cake” and Lapis means […]
#August 14, 1936: America’s Last Public Hanging
On this day, August 14, 1936 a crowd estimated at 10,000 to 20,000 gathered at Owensboro, Kentucky, to watch the last ever public hanging in the United States. The fact […]
The curious case of the Belgian woman who thought she was a chicken
Doctors at KU Leuven University in Belgium recently reported the bizarre case of a 54-year-old woman who was convinced she was a chicken and temporarily behaved as such. It is […]