Author Archives: andrewspaulw

7 Key Revolutions in Modern History

Revolutions typically take place when an angry rebellion of the popular masses rises up against the hated ruling class. If successful, they can result in drastic changes in a nation’s culture, economy, politics, justice, and even religion.

12 Famous Banned Books Throughout History

Throughout our long history, there have been various books that have been banned by the masses, or those in power, and even burned by angry mobs over the centuries. Some were banned for religious reasons, some for political motivations, and some for cultural agendas.  As decades have passed and generations changed, these bans have mostlyContinue reading “12 Famous Banned Books Throughout History”

Podcast: Josef Stalin and the Soviet Great Purge

After the death of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin, the infamous Josef Stalin came to powerful Premier of the Soviet Union.  In the late 1930s, Stalin began a ruthless campaign known as The Great Purge, referred to by the people of Russia as The Great Terror. Any person or group perceived in Stalin’s twisted mind as a threat to his power was arrested, given a sham trial, and either executed on the spot, or sent to the notorious Siberian Gulags.

Who REALLY Discovered the North Pole First?

Most of us were taught in history class that Commander Robert Peary was the first to reach the North Pole in 1909.  But in fact, another American, Dr. Frederick Cook, claimed to have reached the pole an entire year earlier.  Ever heard of Cook?  Probably not.

Electric Vehicles have Existed for OVER 150 YEARS

Electric vehicles have been around a lot longer than most people think.  Certainly longer than Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors.  In fact, electric cars appeared in the mid-1800’s, long before the internal-combustion engine was invented.

The 1945 Yalta BIG THREE Conference – Russia, US and UK

The Yalta (Crimea) Conference was the second World War II meeting by the “Big Three,“ President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Premier Joseph Stalin, heads of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.

Podcast: The Black Hole of Calcutta 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 commercial empires on the lucrative sub-continent. The British had established a port and trading hub at Kolkata (Calcutta) and builtContinue reading “Podcast: The Black Hole of Calcutta Night of Horror”

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”