Passion was the main stuff of journalism long before the Civil War, the birthplace of modern American journalism. The Press of the American Revolution during the War and before it, was borne of it. Newspapers then were not as we know them today. Weekly advertising mediums they were, but they were primarily opinion pieces designed to protect interests or to provoke the readership. They were propaganda organs in the truest sense. They were virtual flagpoles of ideology from which the... Read More
They walk among us. By the mid nineties, science had only smoked out a few dozen of them worldwide but there are undoubtedly many more. You may well know some of them. You may even be one yourself. Perhaps you're sometimes haunted by the sense that there is someone lurking very near, invisible and silent but sharing that odd thought, impression, or fear from time to time. A more solid clue might be found in the skin on your back.... Read More
"Babe" Didrickson Zaharias was a phenomenal athlete. This Texan ran, jumped, rode horses, and played basketball and baseball-with tremendous flair.In the Olympic tryouts in 1932, she won five first places in track and field events. In the games of that year in Los Angeles, she won a gold medal in the women's 80 meter hurdles, a gold medal in the javelin throw, and a silver medal in the high jump.After the Olympics, Zaharias turned to golf. Although she started from... Read More
During the third week of August 2005 the Trafalgar Way was officially inaugurated in Devon to commemorate the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.The Lorna Doone, an original North Devon stagecoach visited inns and hostels along the full length of what is now know as the Trafalgar Way in Devon.During this time an actor playing the part of Lieutenant John Richard Lapenotiere delivered a New Trafalgar Dispatch. Each town in Devon that he passed through has unveiled a commemorative plaque... Read More
"Kiss me, Hardy" or "Kismet, Hardy"? Both versions are commonly used, the former being clearly more universal . The easy answer is that, whatever variation, these were not his final words (that is a trick question!).It is a common misconception that Nelson's last words were "Kiss me, Hardy", spoken to the captain of HMS Victory, Thomas Hardy. Nelson did say this to Hardy, but Hardy was not present for Nelson’s last words, having been called back on deck at that... Read More
Juba II in America:Ahmed Osman tells us about the destruction of all knowledge around the end of the 4th Century Ad as a result of Roman edicts and the desire to make people into sheep to herd as they saw fit. "The Serapeum, originally established by the Ptolemies, later became also a centre for Gnostic communities, both Hermetic and Christian. Some Gnostic Christian sects grew out from within the cult of Serapis, and made no distinction between Christ and Serapis.... Read More
Over thiry-five years ago, I picked up a book on numerology and began to have a hard time believing that numbers had anything to do with my life. Shortly thereafter, I was awakened from a deep sleep by a loud voice that seemed to scream into my ears, "Numbers are real!"Since that time, I have found out that numbers really are real.Oh, I can't blame you for not believing that numbers are real. I didn't for a very long time.... Read More
Just about everyone knows what his or her birthstone is. Why is that? Because people still enjoy the folklore associated with the tradition of the birthstone. They like believing that wearing a birthstone brings them good luck and protects them.Early civilization as far back as the Assyrians (1400 BC) invested rare and beautiful gemstones with magical properties. Some minerals were thought to contain a force or possess certain values and powers. For instance, amethyst was said to prevent intoxication.Tradition associates... Read More
The history of Thailand currency traces the evolution of the medium of exchange used in Thailand prior to the 1st century. This dates from the days of barter trade, ancient beads and money in various shapes and sizes till the currency in modern times.Ancient beads, seeds, bracelets and pebbles used as a medium of exchange in the early days around 200 ? 300 BC, have been discovered in Thailand, including old Roman copper coins dating back to 270 BC!During the... Read More
"Ron, I can't take much more of his sleazy behavior! I really don't think you are going to win this case for me anyway. I've lost everything; at least I can have the pleasure of making sure the jury knows their judge is another sexual power tripper, going in to his chambers to satisfy himself with the bailiff while he screws me over under the law! I don't...""Gloria, we still have Coach Nestorovic and the jury could be 'hung'. They... Read More
Born in 1630, Charles II was the second eldest son of Charles I, who spent most of his teenage years fighting parliaments Roundheads until the execution of his father in 1649, and after he agreed to make Presbyterianism the religion of England and Scotland.In 1650, Charles returned to his native Scotland and a year later led an unsuccessful campaign against Cromwell's forces at Worcester. During this defeat, Charles managed to avoided capture, finding safe passage to France where he spent... Read More
As far back as one can remember famous celebrities have been wearing the jewelry made by famous jewelry designers. Through out many eras and many styles the celebrities and jewelry designers have held a close bond. Who better to display your beautiful pieces than a beautiful celebrity that has already captured the audiences attention.Elizabeth Taylor will always be remembered for her glamorous and beautiful look. I cannot remember any time that I have seen Elizabeth without her jewels to adorn... Read More
Family Values in Ancient Times:Many people of the present make some very grave and disturbing assumptions about prior unethical behaviour by humans. My theories may be biased and overly appreciative of a time before Empire and there is less data due to the destructive power of Empire and the hegemony to go on. However, that data is more pure and less likely to have been promoted or propagandized for the interests of power-mongers. Top scholars and those who are regarded... Read More
Many 'fabulous' personages and concepts are created by man. Some are attempts to make sense of a confusing array of real things man doesn't understand, others are created by those who would have us 'believe'. The art of making others 'believe' what you want them to, is an art that developed over millions of years even if man is only modern for the last hundred thousand years. 'As you believe so shall you do' and fables which set early modes... Read More
My first kid's father named my son Marcus after legendary Marcus Garvey. Which made me curious to know more about who Marcus Garvey actually was?"Up You Mighty Race, Accomplish What You Will..." (Marcus Garvey)The following text is dedicated to my eldest son Marcus.Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born on August the 17, 1887, in St Ann's Bay, Jamaica as the youngest of 11 children.Marcus Garvey was known as a journalist, entrepreneur, publisher and a crusader for black nationalism. During his whole... Read More
I cannot emphasize enough the dearth of information, or the outright disinformation, I find in various web world accounts relating to Josephine and Jean Lafitte. I chuckle to think they often get her given name wrong as I have noted from the beginning of this book. Her name was not Josephine and if a current author is right about Napoleon being a bi-sexual we can imagine his brother Joseph's name was on his lips during sexual acts with Marie-Rose and... Read More
The history of the royal barges dates back to the Sukhothai era in the 13th century when the first royal barges were reportedly seen. The barges were originally troop carriers at a time when it was more expedient to transport troops into battle along rivers.As life in Thailand then was so intimately linked to the river, these barges were also used for religious and ceremonial purposes.During the Ayutthaya era between the 14th - 18th centuries, the Royal Barge Ceremonies flourished,... Read More
The Art of War is an ancient Chinese text on strategy and warfare written by a Sun Wu, a brilliant military general more than two thousand years ago. It is considered one of the oldest attempts at analyzing and documenting the specific components of strategic warfare, with wisdom that is as applicable today as it was thousands of years ago.Many Chinese and international scholars debated the exact dates that Sun Tzu waged war against his enemies and many question the... Read More
Queen Mary I of England was born in 1516 to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon and was the first British monarch to rule in her own right. Mary was pronounced queen in 1553 and ruled for five years after the death of Edward VI. Mary was well educated and learned to speak Latin, Spanish, French and Italian. She was also taught Greek, science and music.1547 saw the death of her father and her half brother Edward VI crowned king.... Read More
The red Dragon was introduced to Britain during Roman times. It is possible that the Romans learned of the dragon from the Persians. Initially the 'draco' was used as a standard by the Roman army but over time it was adopted by the Welsh people as their national flag. It is possibly the oldest national flag in use today.The earliest recorded used of the red dragon symbolising Wales is in the 'Historia Brittonum' otherwise known as the 'History of Britain'.... Read More
