Category Archives: Forgotten History

7 Peculiar Facts about the 1st Modern Olympic Games of 1896

The first of the modern Olympic games were reborn in April, 1896 in Athens, Greece. It had been 1,500 years since they were banned in 393 AD by Roman Emperor Theodosius I.  Since then, they have occurred every four years, with a few exceptions, moving to a new host nation each time.  We take themContinue reading “7 Peculiar Facts about the 1st Modern Olympic Games of 1896”

The Most Heroic Rescue – The Great Raid at Cabanatuan

There have been many heroic rescues in recent years, the Thai youth soccer team in 2018, the Chilean copper miners in 2010, but neither compares to perhaps the most daring heroic rescue in modern times – the Great Raid of Cabanatuan in the Philippines during World War II.  Sadly, with the passing of the ‘GreatestContinue reading “The Most Heroic Rescue – The Great Raid at Cabanatuan”

Henry V’s Rousing St. Crispin’s Day Speech from Shakespeare

The famous St. Crispin’s Day speech is given by England’s King Henry V in Shakespeare’s play of the same name, Henry V. The king gives the rousing speech on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt in the English camp in northern France. The Hundred Years War battle took place on October, 25th, 1415, Saint Crispin’s Day. The English wereContinue reading “Henry V’s Rousing St. Crispin’s Day Speech from Shakespeare”

臭名昭著的希望钻石——诅咒还是巧合？

毫无疑问，世界上最壮观的宝石之一就是所谓的希望钻石，这是一颗重达 45.52 克拉的令人难以忘怀的蓝色宝石。希望钻石的大小约等于一颗核桃，估计价值高达 2.5 亿美元。 如今，它陈列在美国华盛顿史密森尼学会博物馆中继续阅读 “臭名昭著的希望钻石——诅咒还是巧合？”

The Munich Massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics

During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, eight terrorists disguised in tracksuits, carrying gym bags filled with assault rifles and hand grenades, breached the Olympic Village security.  Just before dawn on September 5th, Black September terrorists of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), managed to enter the building where Israeli athletes were sleeping. Once inside,Continue reading “The Munich Massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics”

The Black Hole of Calcutta’s Infamous Night of Horror

In 18th century India, the power of the Mughal Empire lay in the despotic hands of the Nawabs, or provincial princes. At the same time, the British and French East India Companies had built competing empires on the lucrative sub-continent. The British had established a trading hub at Kolkata (Calcutta) and built Fort William toContinue reading “The Black Hole of Calcutta’s Infamous Night of Horror”

The Long and Storied Life of Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is truly an astonishing site.  An awe-inspiring Gothic/Renaissance Abbey rising out the sea like something from Game of Thrones.  Today it’s referred to as the “Wonder of the West,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 3 million visitors a year.  But how on earth did such a gem get in such a place?Continue reading “The Long and Storied Life of Mont-Saint-Michel”

“不欢迎爱尔兰人”——爱尔兰移民的欢迎辞

To listen to the audio Podcast  Click Here Given this century’sMiddle Eastern wars and refugee crises, it’s not hard to fathom the intense bigotry experienced by Irish immigrants of the mid 1800’s.  The great Irish Potato Famine lasted from 1845 to 1855 and brought massive numbers of starving Irish refugees to America’s eastern shores. Ireland’s strict landlordsContinue reading ““No Irish Need Apply” – an Irish Immigrants Welcome”

How did Roman Christianity go from Executions to Adoption?

  For first 300 years following the death of Jesus, Christianity grew, but Christians suffered persecution under the cruel Roman Empire.  How did it then grow to become a dominant, global religion?  What was the miraculous turning point for Christianity?  The Ancient Romans worshipped a collection of gods, most borrowed from the Ancient Greeks –Continue reading “How did Roman Christianity go from Executions to Adoption?”