History Schmistory: June 30. Has anyone seen the bridge?

1894: Tower Bridge opens in London. Tower Records opens 66 years later…
"Creative Commons, Tower Bridge", by  Dave Stravern, licensed under CC BY

“Tower Bridge”, by Dave Stravern, licensed under CC BY

History Schmistory, June 30: What Were They Thinkin’, Lincoln?

1865 – 8 alleged conspirators in assassination of Lincoln were found guilty. Little did they know, Abe is apparently a vampire hunter & reincarnated. Honestly?

This guy looks pretty ABel to me.

 

Do you drone on about castles in Europe?

Well, here’s the video for you!

 

Ludicrous Latin: Quone modo nunc, fulve bos?

How now, brown cow?

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History Schmistory: June 29. Large Caesar.

48 BCE: The Battle of Pharsalus; Caesar defeats Pompey… and the garden salad.

IMAGE:www.almatters.com

History Schmistory, June 29: A Midsummer Nightmare

1613 – Shakespeare’s Globe Theater burned down. That light through the yonder window breaking? It was a fire. And while all that glistens may not be gold, all that is red and hot is most likely going to burn down a building.

 

"Globe Theatre, circa 1616" - Detail from van Visscher's original panorama, circa 1616.

“Globe Theatre, circa 1616” – Detail from van Visscher’s original panorama, circa 1616.

Get Small!

Love traveling to tiny countries? You’ll dig this!

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History Schmistory: When In Rome

“When in Rome do as the Romans do” is a commonly used idiom. An example of its use in a conversation would go something like this:

Person #1: “I refuse to try that sushi!”
Person #2: “C’mon, try it! When in Rome do as the Romans do.” which means, when in a new place behave like they do.

We may understand the meaning of the saying but do we know the origin of it? Well, it all started back in the 16th century when Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan gave some good advice to Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. Saint Augustine had asked Saint Ambrose if they should fast on Saturdays, like the Romans did. Ambrose replied by saying, “When I am here, I do not fast on Saturday; when I am in Rome, I fast on Saturday.” Of course he said this in Latin but that’s beside the point. Eventually this turned into the phrase that we know today. So when in Rome, fare come i romani!

History Schmistory, June 28: The Tomato Playing Ketch-up!

1820 – The tomato was proven to be non-poisonous. Thank goodness for that…our most important foods (pizza, spaghetti, burgers) would never have been the same!

Way to go tomatoes!  "Jumping tomato" by Gabi Greve /CC BY

Way to go tomatoes!
“Jumping tomato” by Gabi Greve /CC BY

History Schmistory: June 27. Ka-ching

1967: The first cash machine/ATM begins service in Britain. Locals celebrate by forming an orderly line!
ATM

‘Waiting in line… what the Brits do best!”
“Cash point” by Mat Hyde / CC BY

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