GO THERE!

Underneath the surface in Southeast London lies the Chislehurst Caves, over 22 miles of man-made caves with over 4000 years of history.

Did you know you can get a FREE Team Marco Polo, London ebook just by clicking that “Like” button down there?

History Schmistory: September 23. Mario Kard?

1889: Nintendo is founded as a playing card company by Fusajiro Yamauchi, and soon introduces Hanafuda, a flowery card deck with a number of applicable games, including Tyson’s Punch-Out! 🙂

I, Aldaron [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

I, Aldaron [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

Cryptozoology Break! Kongamato

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!

History Schmistory: September 22. Act now!

1598: Playwright Ben Jonson, a contemporary of Billy Shakespeare, is arrested for killing an actor in a duel. Naturally, the actor only had his prop gun.

By Joost J. Bakker from IJmuiden (Space Pilot X Ray Gun  Uploaded by Oxyman) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Joost J. Bakker from IJmuiden (Space Pilot X Ray Gun Uploaded by Oxyman) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

GO THERE!

When Marco has time to hone his skateboarding skills, he goes to Black Pearl Skate Park on the Cayman Islands.

Then he spends a few days at the local hospital, where everyone knows his name.

History Schmistory: September 21. The original prequel?

1937: J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is published. No Hobbits were harmed during the making.

By Jeff Hitchcock (Flickr: Butterfly Catcher) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Jeff Hitchcock (Flickr: Butterfly Catcher) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

GO THERE!


Northern California’s ancient redwood trees are so huge, some you can drive straight through.

History Schmistory: September 20. Spain’s Ba-a-a-ad Boys.

1920: Spain establishes the Spanish Foreign Legion, an elite unit of the Spanish Army. It’s mascot? A goat… Really?

By Julio César Cerletti García (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mybuffo/13993260346) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Julio César Cerletti García (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mybuffo/13993260346) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

History Schmistory: September 4. La La Land!

1781: Los Angeles, California is founded as El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula,  (The Village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of Porziuncola), which seems like a silly name for a city, until you see this…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Eyreland (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Here are some more ridiculously long city names. Shouldn’t there be a limit? How irritating would it be to have to send a package to Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu?

History Schmistory: September 19. We’re not safe here.

1957: The US begins testing underground nukes. Burrowing animals across the globe react in horror.

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