Topic

History

A collection of 335 issues

Before Moby Dick, There Was Mocha Dick: The True Story of the Legendary White Whale

Herman Melville's Moby Dick wasn't pure fiction. It was inspired by Mocha Dick, a real, colossal white sperm whale who battled whalers off Chile in the early 19th century. This legendary creature was a terror and a marvel, a symbol of nature's untamable power.

'They Had No Choice': The Story of London's Powerful Animals in War Memorial

London's Animals in War Memorial honors the millions of animals who served and died in human conflicts. Its most powerful inscription, 'They had no choice,' serves as a solemn reminder of their silent, involuntary sacrifice and the true, far-reaching cost of war.

The 19-Year Duel: How Two Napoleonic Officers Turned a Petty Insult into History's Longest Rivalry

In 1794, a trivial insult sparked a 19-year duel between French officers Fournier and Dupont. Their pact led to over 30 battles across Europe amidst the Napoleonic Wars. The legendary rivalry ended not with a fatal blow, but with a surprising handshake and an unlikely friendship.

Black Agnes: The Countess Who Mocked an English Siege and Became a Legend

In 1338, during the Second War of Scottish Independence, Countess Agnes of Dunbar led the five-month defense of Dunbar Castle against a superior English army. Her psychological warfare and a chillingly defiant retort when her captured brother's life was threatened cemented her status as a folk hero.

From Diplomacy to Dribbling: The Bizarre Story of Henry Kissinger, Honorary Harlem Globetrotter

In a bizarre 1970s intersection of politics and pop culture, controversial diplomat Henry Kissinger was named an honorary Harlem Globetrotter. This strange alliance reflects the Cold War era's use of 'soft power' and remains a perplexing piece of trivia today.

Don't Make Me Over: The Song Born from Dionne Warwick's Righteous Anger

Furious that her promised debut song was given to another artist, Dionne Warwick angrily told songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David, 'Don't make me over!' The phrase inspired them to write a new song, which became the first hit for the legendary trio and launched her career.

The Reply-All-pocalypse: How One Email Ground the UK's National Health Service to a Halt

In 2016, a simple test email sent to 840,000 NHS staff accidentally triggered a 'reply all' cascade. The resulting storm of over 186 million emails overwhelmed servers, crashing the critical system for hours and becoming a legendary tale of digital chaos.