When one thinks of the Wild West, visions of rugged cowboys galloping across barren landscapes and chaotic saloon brawls come to mind. Who doesn’t imagine a shootout or maybe a cattle-roping adventure? However, it’s important to note that reality often differs from the romanticized portrayal of this era in popular culture. As it really was,
Month: April 2024
Many democratic countries have adopted a system where proposed new laws must be voted on, reviewed, and amended by many people before they can be enforced. At times, such systems can seem frustratingly slow, but this list will show that there is a very good reason for their thoroughness. There have been many cases where
“Rome never changes.” The Roman Catholic Church affirms that it does not change its doctrines. Critics disagree, pointing out how the faith of contemporary Catholics differs from what was believed and practiced just 60 years ago. Looking further back in time, we can see that the medieval Church of the imperious Pope Innocent III is
We all know how litigious Hollywood can be, especially in this day and age, when summer blockbusters regularly rake in billions at the box office. Movies are a big business, and big business goes hand-in-hand with legal complications. Sometimes writers overextend themselves, slipping into other people’s copyright unannounced; sometimes productions don’t take the necessary precautions,
It’s no secret that women can do just as much as men—especially in pursuits like science, art, governance, politics, and academic endeavors. And it’s sadly also no secret that women weren’t seen in this equally capable light for centuries. Men dominated all those fields seemingly forever. While many men did impressive things to advance civilization
Public houses and inns have existed in what today is the United Kingdom for a thousand years, at least. And many of the watering holes of the contemporary era are buildings that date back hundreds of years. With that in mind, then, it is perhaps not surprising that many of these pubs are some of
It takes a lot to destroy a town. It’s hard to even imagine how a town could be destroyed. One minute, it’s here, and the next minute, large areas of it—or, in the worst cases, pretty much all of it—are wiped out. Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters are, of course, the most likely
The world has been obsessed with superpowers for years. We’ve all seen the classic powers, and with the rise in superhero movies, there’s a demand for new and unusual abilities. We’ve seen flight, speed, strength, mind control, teleportation, and more. Occasionally, a character will appear with a bizarre power in comics, TV, or movies. Sometimes,
Mammoths are elephants that went extinct thousands of years ago. To lift the veil of time and discover more about these magnificent mammals, researchers cracked open a few tusks. Mammoth ivory has rings and chemicals that read like a biography, detailing an animal’s life from birth to death. Tusks also hold unexpected surprises. From a
When delving into the history of China, one cannot glance over the years from 206 BC to AD 220 without being impressed at the sheer ingenuity of the time and the impressive reign. As only the second great imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Han Dynasty was known for its technological advancements and its development
We all love to quote things to each other: axioms, proverbs, famous politician and celebrity quotes, iconic statements, and remarks from history. Heck, even funny lines we see on television shows and viral memes we watch on social media. Quoting other people’s clever and creative remarks has been going on throughout human history for as
Stars are fascinating. With so many of them, the starry night has inspired philosophers and scientists for thousands of years of human history. Stars come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. While many stars are spherical,.others, like Vega, are ellipsoids because of distortions due to rapid rotation or a multi-star system’s gravitational complexity. In fact,
The internet has been great for many people, bringing new ways to learn, earn, and communicate with others. But like many new technologies, it has not been without its dangers. One unexpected consequence was the rise of “internet trolls.” These people want to embarrass someone or make them look foolish, so they “troll” their target
Public-access television refers to free channels that host programming created by members of the public, typically on a first-come, first-serve basis. Before the era of online content through platforms such as YouTube, they often served as the only means for amateur filmmakers to broadcast their creations to the wider public. Thanks to a lack of
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons database (NamUS), more than 600,000 people go missing every year in the United States alone. While the vast majority of missing persons cases are resolved quickly, such is not always the case. Sadly, the families left behind are filled with heartbreak and uncertainty and forced to endure
Cryptids are creatures that have never been proven to exist but are believed to exist. We’ve all heard of Nessie, and everybody knows Bigfoot—but what about the rest? There are reports of strange creatures all over the world. Here are ten cryptids you probably only know if you’re a fan of the paranormal—or a lucky
Cats are impressive little creatures. Sure, they seem to have taken the internet by storm for years and won over the hearts of people who communicate and spend time online. And offline, they have a long and proud history as domesticated pets and refined at-home companions down through the ages. But of course, they are
Reality television is a great way to unwind and escape the day’s burdens. Contrary to scripted movies and television shows, reality shows provide watchers with endless amounts of authentic comedy, drama, and romance. A popular subcategory of reality television shows is dating shows. Whether the prize is money, fame, or love, viewers worldwide can’t get
Mankind loves a moral panic. Throughout the history of human civilization, all manner of things have been censored and discouraged for fear they would cause people to abandon their values and descend into anarchy and depravity. Few things, if any, have ever actually caused this to happen. However, even today, examples of such censorship can