WEIRD HISTORY
2019 May 16 – 18:45 ancient-origins Ancient Cataclysms: 9 Catastrophes That Rocked the World Ancient cultures around the world have passed down their tales of devastating natural disasters in oral traditions, folklore, historical accounts, pictorial representations, and through myths. Catastrophic natural phenomena like …
By Geoffrey Brooks 2020 May 10 – Here is presented the widely dismissed account that probably sometime in the mid-11th century, Danish Vikings from Schleswig and the Danelaw (as ascertained from runic rock inscriptions) arrived at Santos in Brazil and proceeded inland to …
The last of Newfoundland’s Beothuk was thought to have died in 1829 but new research indicates the bloodline did not die out – as Mi’kmaq tradition has always maintained. Drawing of a Beothuk camp by Major John Cartwright. Photograph: The Picture Art Collection/Alamy …
By Gareth Dorain and Ian Whittaker 2020 Apr 27 – The Histories by Herodotus (484 BCE to 425 BCE) offers a remarkable window into the world as it was known by ancient Greek astronomy in the mid fifth century BCE. Almost as interesting as what they …
By Melissa Sartore – At the height of Pancho Villa’s banditry, the United States sent federal troops to the Mexican border to avenge his actions against Americans. The Mexican revolutionary ventured into the US several times, most notably engaging American forces in Columbus, NM, …
By Genevieve Carlton Updated 2019 Aug 29 – Many enslaved people escaped following the North Star to freedom, crossing hundreds of dangerous miles until they reached Canada. But thousands also traveled the underground railroad to México, swimming across the Río Grande to …
By Mike Rothschild – Updated 2020 Mar 25 – What was the Silk Road? The history of the Silk Road begins with the Persians of 500 BCE and stretches all the way to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 CE. As one …
By Carly Silver Updated 2019 Nov 05 – You probably know Joan of Arc as a tough-as-nails warrior maiden from France, but there’s a lot more to the rags-to-riches-to-rags story of this smart soldier than just that. So who was Joan of …
The legendary trail has carved itself into American history—and, in some places, into the earth itself. A painted depiction of the Oregon Trail by Albert Bierstadt 1869. (Creative Commons) – By Jennifer Billock, SmithsonianMag.Com – A painted depiction of the Oregon Trail by …
By Katherine Ripley – Updated 2019 Jun 11 – If Abraham Lincoln had heeded the warnings that his life may be in danger, the course of history may have been very different. In fact, if you look back through history, you’ll find …
