We may take it for grant­ed that the ear­li­est writ­ing sys­tems devel­oped with the Sume­ri­ans around 3400 B.C.E. The archae­o­log­i­cal evi­dence so far sup­ports the the­o­ry. But it may also be pos­si­ble that the ear­li­est writ­ing sys­tems pre­date 5000-year-old cuneiform tablets by sev­er­al thou­sand years. And what's more, it may be pos­si­ble, sug­gests pale­oan­thro­pol­o­gist Genevieve von Pet­zinger, that those pre­his­toric forms of writ­ing, which include the ear­li­est known hash­tag marks, con­sist­ed of sym­bols near­ly as uni­ver­sal as emo­ji.
A forgotten royal castle that is believed to have once been home to kings who ruled parts of Scotland has been discovered in a major archaeological project. In a recently released book, archaeologists reveal the existence of a castle at Finlaggan, on the isle of Islay, which is unnamed and previously unknown from the 12th and 13th centuries. Archaeologists have spent nearly 30 years analysing research that was undertaken at the historical site on Islay from 1989 to 1998.
Also on this date: In 1787, the Constitution of the United States was completed and signed by a majority of delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. In 1862, more than 3,600 men were killed in the Civil War Battle of Antietam (an-TEE'-tum) in Maryland. In 1944, during World War II, Allied paratroopers launched Operation Market Garden, landing behind German lines in the Netherlands.
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941-a date which will live in infamy -the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke these words in an address to a joint session of Congress and a nationwide radio audience. He continued to set the tone for the United States' entrance into World War II.
LINCOLN CITY - Nearly 40 years ago, an 83-year-old retiree offered an old, handstitched quilt to a local museum accompanied by a couple of notes explaining its history. Today, the quilt tells the story of a woman born into slavery, a beloved and skilled quiltmaker whose time on this Earth might have vanished if not for the woman who treasured her memory.
'Let's do the Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.' And the reason why September 15 is to coincide with the celebration of Latin American independence," he said.
The Olmec colossal heads are massive stone sculptures carved from basalt, depicting human faces with distinct features like fleshy cheeks and flat noses. These heads, dating back to at least 900 BCE, are iconic symbols of the ancient Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica. Ranging from 3.8 to 11.2 feet tall, they were likely modeled after real individuals, possibly rulers or important figures.
Long before home appliances involved stainless steel, touchscreens, compressors, and electricity, there was a decidedly different way to keep food cool - one that involved a clever designer, humble sheets of metal, and huge chunks of ice. It's a curious contraption appropriately named the icebox, an almost forgotten ancestor to modern-day refrigerators. This was no fly-by-night invention, rather a carefully crafted one that transformed eating and food storage across the globe in the mid-to-late 1800s.
"Air superiority was something that the Air Force has been a big part of since its inception. You still see that today, and that's one of the things that you will see all the way through," Prichard said. "The same with global reach - making sure that the aircraft that we have can go any place, anytime, right now. All of the aircraft that you see on display here will do that."
The story of the diamond industry is one of monopolies, marketing and monthly salaries. For decades, men in many countries were expected to spend two or even three months' salary on a diamond engagement ring. This notion and the iconic status of this gem did not come about by accident. The story goes back to 1870, when an Oxford University dropout named Cecil Rhodes set off to try his luck in the Cape Colony modern-day South Africa, then a key British domain.
Neuenburg Castle was founded around 1090 by Louis the Springer, a Thuringian noble also responsible for building the Wartburg. Perched above the Unstrut River, the "new castle" ( novum castrum) was strategically positioned to secure power in the region. Its earliest construction phase included imposing fortifications, among them a round tower and two unusual octagonal towers-possibly inspired by Byzantine architecture.
Many of the phrases we casually toss around today have surprisingly long histories, with roots that stretch back to the medieval world. From English law to Chaucer's poetry, from French allegories to Irish chronicles, these expressions reveal just how much of our everyday language was shaped by the Middle Ages. Here are 20 phrases that originated in the Middle Ages - and are still alive and well today.
It may sound anachronistic to use terms like espionage, counterintelligence, secret services, or double agents in relation to ancient times. But activities, organizations, and personnel that largely fit our current concepts were widely deployed by the civilizations of the ancient world, giving truth to the saying that there is nothing new under the Sun (or, in this case, the shadows). To provide a few examples: Ramses II was nearly defeated at the Battle of Kadesh (which ended in a stalemate)
I was standing onstage at the University of Puget Sound, preparing to give a talk about anti-Chinese violence in the American West, when a man I'd never met stepped up beside me. He was introduced as a member of the Tacoma City Council. Without preamble, he turned to the audience-and then to me. "I tell my kids reconciliation begins with an apology," he said. "On behalf of the city of Tacoma, I am sorry."
Meatloaf. Mashed potatoes. Breakfast all day, every day. A cup of coffee that always seems to be full. These are the menu hallmarks of the American diner. Throw in a countertop with stools, booths with laminate countertops, and a lot of stainless steel, and the nostalgic vibe is complete. The first iterations of diners popped up in the mid-1800s, and have been a national staple ever since.
"When reading the words \"medieval music,\" what thoughts initially come to mind? Perhaps thoughts may wander to images of monasteries where monks sing Gregorian chant, or the mind may turn to royal celebrations. Music was certainly prominent both in the medieval church and at court, and these are typically the images that are inextricably linked with the performance of medieval music; however, like today, musical activities were not restricted to public entertainment."
The War of 1812 remains one of the most obscure major conflicts in US history, often overshadowed by the monumentous events that came before and after. Indeed, when it is remembered at all, it is often as a minor spat between the United States and the United Kingdom that ended with the burning of the White House and the victory of Andrew Jackson at New Orleans.
Part of the reason a lot of people figure nothing much went on during the Middle Ages is because we've lost a whole lot of sources telling us what actually did happen. Through malice and misfortune, medieval manuscripts have been destroyed in their thousands. So, how do we know what may have gone up in smoke? And what can we do to keep our beloved manuscripts safe?
In the extant myths of the Norse people and in the archaeological record alike, Mjölnir seems to have had several meanings. From its creation by dwarves to Bronze Age rock carvings, through the Christian conversion of Scandinavia to Thor's dressing as a bride after its theft by a giant, and into the mythic aftermath of Ragnarök, Mjölnir's symbolism reverberated through time.
Civilization moved past the use of castles long ago, but their imagery endures in popular culture. Even young children here in the twenty-twenties have an idea of what castles look like. But why do they look like that? Admittedly, that's a bit of a trick question: the popular concept of castles tends to be inspired by medieval examples, but in historical fact, the design of castles changed substantially over time, albeit slowly at first.
The entire complex has been undergoing a comprehensive restoration, and while the work is still ongoing, the end is in sight and the Park is offering visitors the unique opportunity to see spaces that have never been open to the public before. A visit to the Suburban Baths will offer the opportunity to observe not only the monumental spaces, but also the restoration techniques applied to the floors, stuccoes, and structures .
The peasantry, working classes, middle classes, and nationalist movements sought fundamental change to issues such as land redistribution, workers' rights, and political representation. Although the tsar survived the first Russian Revolution of 1905, his failure to realise his promises of reform led to a second revolution in March 1917 and the obligation to abdicate. A third revolution in November 1917,
You wanted more quizzes, and we've delivered! Now you can test your wits every day of the week. Each weekday, your host, Ray Hamel, concocts a challenging set of unique questions on a specific topic. At the end of the quiz, you'll be able to compare your score with that of the average contestant, and Slate Plus members can see how they stack up on our leaderboard.
Kor's father, Mickey, survived a Latvian ghetto before being deported to the Buchenwald concentration camp. He was able to escape the camp and eventually immigrate to America. His mother, Eva, ended up in Auschwitz. Due to her being a twin, she was sent to Dr. Josef Mengele, who is known for the inhumane experiments he performed. Miraculously, she survived and would later become known for forgiving the Nazis.
On Sept. 10, 2008, the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) was powered up for the first time, successfully firing the first beam of protons through its 17-mile underground ring tunnel. Also on this date: In 1608, John Smith was elected president of the Jamestown colony council in Virginia. In 1846, Elias Howe received a patent for his sewing machine.
