January 9 | The Agonalia or Festival to Janus
An Agonalia was an obscure archaic religious observance celebrated in ancient Rome several times a year, in honor of various divinities. Its institution, like that of other religious rites and […]
Gleann Cholm Cille and St. Columba’s trail
We are in Ireland. The remote valley of Gleann Cholm Cille, in western Donegal, was already a holy site when Stonehenge was but a vision taking shape. Named after Columba, […]
#TodayInHistory – January 9
January 9 – Some important events on this day 1431 👉🏼 Judges’ investigations for the trial of Joan of Arc begin in Rouen, France, the seat of the English occupation […]
#TodayInHistory – January 8
January 8 – Some important events on this day 871 👉🏼 Battle of Ashdown: Ethelred I of Wessex and his brother Alfred the Great beat invading Danish army 1297 👉🏼 […]
#TodayInHistory – January 7
January 7 – Some important events on this day 1584 👉🏼 Last day of the Julian calendar in Bohemia & Holy Roman empire 1610 👉🏼 Galileo Galilei discovers the first […]
The curious background of Tombland Alley
Once known as the central marketplace of Norwich, England, the name of this historic alley, Tombland, is a bit misleading, as it has nothing to do with the burying of […]
#TodayInHistory – January 6
January 6 – Some important events on this day 1494 👉🏼 The first Mass in the New World is celebrated at La Isabela, Hispaniola 1497 👉🏼 Jews are expelled from […]
#TodayInHistory – January 5
January 5 – Some important events on this day 1463 👉🏼 French poet Francois Villon banished from Paris 1477 👉🏼 Battle of Nancy, Burgundy vs Switzerland, 7,000 + killed including […]
Reasons why you should visit the Camposanto of Pisa
Despite the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery, is just right next to one of the most recognized buildings in the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy, it does not see […]
#TodayInHistory – January 4
January 4 – Some important events on this day 1490 👉🏼 Anna of Brittany announces that all those who would ally with the king of France will be considered guilty […]
#TodayInHistory – January 3
January 3 – Some important events on this day 1496 👉🏼 Leonardo da Vinci unsuccessfully tests a flying machine 1521 👉🏼 Martin Luther is Excommunicated by Pope Leo X from […]
January 2: Berchtoldstag
In some areas of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Berchtold Day, or locally Berchtoldstag, is celebrated on this day, January 2. The name of the Alemannic tradition does not refer to a […]
Corenno Plinio: enchanting medieval hamlet on the eastern branch of Como Lake
Corenno Plinio is a small and charming medieval settlement just few minutes far from Dervio, on the eastern branch of Como Lake, Italy. It is an enchanted place that few […]
What were (really) the worst years in history?
2020 is now over, and many have the feeling that it was one of the worst years in history. But are you really sure? We start from Ancient Greece, which […]
#TodayInHistory – January 2
January 2 – Some important events on this day 366 👉🏼 The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers, invading the Roman Empire 1492 👉🏼 Muhammad XII, the […]
Celebrate the New Year with a Good Luck Pig!
Around the world, lucky foods for the new year range from collard greens (representing green cash) to long noodles (representing a lengthy lifespan), or lentils (representing money and luck). However, […]
#TodayInHistory – January 1
January 1 – Some important events on this day 45 BC 👉🏼 The Julian calendar takes effect for the first time 1 👉🏼 Origin of the Christian Era 104 👉🏼 […]
Twelve Grapes: a New Year’s Eve tradition of scarfing down 12 grapes for good luck
When clocks strike midnight on New Year’s Eve many revelers are engaged to pop champagne, set off fireworks, or kiss their partner. Others, instead, in Spain and parts of Latin […]
#TodayInHistory – December 31
December 31 – Some important events on this day 192 👉🏼 Roman Emperor Commodus survives poisoning attempt by his mistress only to be strangled in the bath in assassination plot […]
Greece’s New Year tradition: Vasilopita and the Golden Coin
We are in Greece where, on New Year’s Day, a centuries-old tradition is observed in almost every household, that of Vasilopita (meaning St. Basil’s Cake), a sweet-tasting lucky treat. Across […]
#TodayInHistory – December 30
December 30 – Some important events on this day 1460 👉🏼 Wars of the Roses: Battle of Wakefield (Northern England), Duke of York killed and his forces soundly defeated by […]
#TodayInHistory – December 29
December 29 – Some important events on this day 1170 👉🏼 English Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket assassinated before the high altar of Canterbury Cathedral by four knights 1835 👉🏼 […]
Centuries of history and miracles: the beautiful Laorca Cemetery
The Laorca cemetery is located in the Laorca district north of Lecco, region of Lombardy, in Northern Italy, and has developed around the caves and the ancient church of St […]
#TodayInHistory – December 28
December 28 – Some important events on this day 1065 👉🏼 Westminster Abbey in London consecrated. One of the most famous and well-known buildings in all of Britain is Westminster […]
Rakfisk: Norway’s notorious fermented trout is a tangy Christmas tradition.
The Rakfisk dates back to the ancient Scandinavian culturem when peoples needed to store food over a considerable period of time. The first record of rakfisk probably dates back to […]
How the wren became the King of the Birds
Many years ago, all the birds of the world gathered to decide which of them would be their king. After many days of debate, they decided that they would hold […]
#TodayInHistory – December 27
December 27 – Some important events on this day 537 👉🏼 Hagia Sophia inaugurated by the Emperor Justinian I as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral. The Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) is […]
How to play a hot victorian Christmas game without get burned
In the 19th century, a regular Christmas was a little different. For holiday fun, revelers in the United States, Canada and England scared their friends with ghost stories, fortune-telling, and […]
#TodayInHistory – December 26
December 26 – Some important events on this day 795 👉🏼 Leo III is elected to serve as Pope on the day his predecessor was buried and is consecrated the […]