History Schmistory, July 4: AMERICAAA!
Thursday, July 4, 2024
1776 American Revolution: The United States Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress. There’s gonna be fireworks!
History Schmistory, July 3: A News Day for Norway!
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
1767 – Norway’s oldest newspaper still in print, Adresseavisen, was founded and the first edition was published. They needed a way to adress-a the news-a to the peopla-a.
![The front page of the norwegian newspaper Adresseavisen (1905) By Adresseavisen (Trondhjems Adresseavis) (The Norwegian National Library) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Trondhjems_Adresseavis_17._mai_1905_-_framside.jpg)
The front page of the norwegian newspaper Adresseavisen (1905) By Adresseavisen (Trondhjems Adresseavis) (The Norwegian National Library) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
History Schmistory, July 1: A Bright Spot In China!
Monday, July 1, 2024
1200Â –Â In China, sunglasses were invented.
China.Saving people’s eyeballs since 1200.
Check out the Emperors new clothes!
Tech Magic!
Thursday, August 31, 2023
An inspiring demonstration of magic, technology and lies that make truth… Just watch it.
Tales of Tourists Walking Around Aimlessly: Florence, Italy
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Ah, beautiful Florence Italy. Nestled in the hills of Tuscany, this one time medieval colossus thrives today as a mecca for tourists, students, and artists. Home to Renaissance superstars such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Giotto, and Botticelli. Does the world’s next great artist walk these streets today, disguised as an unsuspecting tourist? Only posterity can know, next time on TALES OF TOURISTS WALKING AROUND AIMLESSLY!
History Schmistory, March 30: Hank wants a new toy!
Thursday, March 30, 2023
1533 – Henry VIII divorces his 1st wife, Catherine of Aragon, which leads to the creation of the Anglican church, lots of bloody history over the next hundred years, and several good Shakespeare plays.
Cryptozoology Break! The Bunyip
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Australia’s native Aborigines have plenty of tales involving a ferocious freshwater creature called the Bunyip, who comes out of the water at nightfall to hunt for their children. Descriptions vary greatly, from dog-faced to reptilian to starfish shaped. Since “Bunyip” actually translates to “evil spirit”, shape-shifting is probably not out of the question. But, it is more likely the Aborigines could never accurately describe it because they were busy running for their lives in the other direction. A solid survival technique in this case.
Art by Allen Douglas
Cryptozoology Break! Kongamato
Thursday, September 22, 2022
In the Jiundu swamps of western Zambia, a legendary pterodactyl-like creature known as Kongamato (“overwhelmer of boats”) had been terrifying the natives for generations. This elusive creature was known to capsize boats and deliberately pursue and destroy any poor soul who laid eyes on it. A few early 20th century explorers reported seeing and often being attacked by these crazy ugly flying monsters. Similar sightings were reported from as far away as Mount Kilimanjaro. Today, the real truth about the Kongamato remains a mystery…
You say Kongamayto, I say Kongamahto, let’s get the heck outta here!
Culture Buzz: Shadows of their former selves…
Sunday, January 30, 2022
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Wayang_%28shadow_puppets%29_from_central_Java%2C_a_scene_from_%27Irawan%27s_Wedding%27.jpg
These aren’t your mamma’s shadow puppets! Unless your mamma is a Javanese puppet master. The incredibly detailed puppets of Wayang Kulit, the ancient Indonesian brand of shadow theater, continue to enchant audiences to this day, bringing to life the magical stories of Hindu-Javanese folklore on a simple backlit cotton screen. Kulit means skin, and refers to the buffalo leather construction of the puppets that are painstakingly chiseled with very fine tools and supported with carefully shaped buffalo horn handles and control rods.
Got a sheet, a bright light and a buffalo? Then, by all means, TRY THIS AT HOME!
-Maybe use construction paper though 🙂
Culture Buzz: “Lotus pray…”
Sunday, January 23, 2022
To say the lotus flower is an important symbol in India would really be an understatement. The potent and resilient plant, which has no trouble thriving in the muddiest of swamps without breaking a sweat, or even getting dirty, has become the supreme icon of beauty, strength, longevity and fertility in Indian culture. In Hinduism, the lotus is also a symbol of divinity that seems to turn up everywhere, even growing from Vishnu’s belly-button! In fact, they believe the spirit of the Lotus itself exists within every human being. That’s a lot of lotuses… Loti?
Anyhoo, it is only fitting that there is a temple in New Delhi bearing semblance to a giant lotus flower preparing to bloom. Pretty sweet.
Also looks a bit like a citrus juicer.
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