Legends

An old Chinese legend states that an egg can be balanced on one day of the year: the vernal equinox. However, it is possible to balance an egg on any day of the year.

Baling wire came into existence in the early 1800s but was not in wide use until the invention of the hay baler by Charles Withington in 1872. Withington's baler was a horse-drawn machine that...

Wigs have a history dating back to the ancient Egyptians. They have been and still are worn for a variety of reasons including fashion, hygiene and convenience.

The laws of physics, discovered by Sir Isaac Newton, express the theory of perpetual motion in terms of the use of energy by objects in space. Scientists refer to any machines impossible to create...

Its not a question of "if" but "when" you will get attacked by a vampire. These blood hungry leeches of the night are everywhere and waiting for us to feed upon. There is no...

Sagittarius women (Nov 22 - Dec 21) are always trying to expand their horizons. The Sagittarius is a centaur, half horse and half human, who carries an arrow aimed at the heavens. This represents...

Typhoid Mary has been dubbed "The Most Dangerous Woman in America" for her role in spreading typhoid in early twentieth century New York City. The historical figure infected many people and spent...

A katana is a Japanese sword that dates back to the ancient samurai. It is a long, curved sword with one sharp edge.

New Jersey has a place to celebrate everything from the lazy days of summer to savoring a glass of wine on a crisp fall day. It is a state where you can take a step back into history and...

Though people had been using swords as a means of combat for centuries, the techniques practiced in the Middle Ages (the 15th century) did much to significantly impact the art of sword fighting....

The "compass rose" has appeared on charts and maps as a design representing compass directions since the 14th century. The term "rose" comes from the emblem's resemblance to the petals of a rose...

The Egyptian Book of the Dead is a collection of ancient manuscripts that has been controversial since its discovery and deciphering. The earliest versions date back to the 16th century B.C.

Excalibur is the famed sword used by legendary sixth-century British ruler King Arthur, whose existence is debated by historians and scholars.

The 49ers who flocked to California’s Mother Lode region in the mid-1800s found only an estimated 20% of the gold in the area. That’s a lot of gold left for the taking. Since the price of gold...

People have used talismans and good luck charms throughout the ages. The objects can be as simple as a rock or feather, but the real magic may be in the mind of the believer.

Have you ever dreamed about create a family tree that could trace your ancestors as far back as you can? Have you ever wondered if there were any exciting stories ever happened to any of your...

When given as gifts or portrayed in artwork, flowers served as silent messengers throughout the Medieval period. Their messages can still be understood and enjoyed today.

Cowboy boots with spurs are an iconic symbol of the American Frontier. They bring to mind a historical population--cowboys--and remain a fashionable staple even today.

Have you ever promised yourself to write a memoir to capture either your own or a friend or a family member's life story, but always found it a daunting task, and don't even know where to start? ...

Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto. In Greek mythology, he's the god of medicine, healing, truth, archery and light, among other things. His twin sister, Artemis, is the goddess of hunting.

The list of the Seven Wonders of the World was created by historians during the Middle Ages. This list of man-made structures is meant to inspire awe and beauty. More recently, a list entitled the...

The word "Oriental" is typically meant to describe something originating in the area to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. Thus it describes a vast area including China, Japan, India, Russia, and...

As one of the most prominent Greek deities, Hermes (known as Mercury to the Romans) fulfilled numerous duties, but was most widely acknowledged as the messenger of the gods and the guide of the...

Across many cultures around the world, dice are used in games of chance or gambling. In an instant, the random toss of dice determines the unpredictable outcome of a game or wager. The symbol of a...

Lemuria is a mythical "lost land" or sunken continent held by some to have existed in the Indian ocean and others in the Pacific. The idea, first offered in the 19th century, is now considered...

How to stop swearing like a trucker is about using another word to replace the foul language or nasty word that you use so much ... changing the way you sound, Expanding your vocabulary! When...

Stories of the Old West are among the most-compelling aspects of American folklore. Because the United States shares a common border with Mexico, our histories are intertwined, and the...

Soma is a quasi-mythical beverage and ritual sacrament, which is the subject of 200 hymns in the ninth and oldest section of the ancient Indo-European text, the Rigveda. Its exact composition,...

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson invited Merriwether Lewis and William Clark to map the Missouri River. The famed Lewis and Clark expedition mapped over 1,000 uncharted miles beginning in Kentucky.

Mythology dates back centuries and recounted the firm religious beliefs of many cultures. For early Greek and Romans, Thule was a place of mystery and religious significance.

The study of world history is a way to understand the growth and evolution of humanity. It enables us to learn from our past and teaches us ways to build a better future. History is more than just...

Widely considered one of the greatest and most famous American patriots, a near mystique has gathered around Paul Revere. With his active involvement in the American Revolutionary War, Revere's...

World history is a wide ranging subject that encompasses many different topics and disciplines. Archaeologists, anthropologists, biologists and historians each contribute to this subject as they...

Beginning in the early 1900s, construction on Las Vegas hotels helped turn the city into a very popular stop between the Midwest and the West Coast. The city's hotel industry has a fascinating...

April 1 is commonly known as April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day. It is a day for playing pranks and practical jokes on people that dates back to the 16th century.

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, an autobiography is "the biography of a person narrated by himself or herself." Whether it's written for personal use, for family and friends or...

Henry Wells and William Fargo launched the Wells, Fargo & Co. bank in San Francisco in 1852, 4 years after the Gold Rush began. The bank became very successful very quickly, survived the crash...

Mythology provided a lens for ancient Romans to understand their civilization and its origins. It also helped the Romans to incorporate the stories of the Greeks. In addition, mythology was...

Everyone knows the infamous Jolly Roger--the skull and crossbones flag which pirates fly to announce their murderous intent . Though pirates have been around for thousands of years, the Jolly...

The United States flew three different flags during the Civil War, adding stars as states joined the Union. President Abraham Lincoln would not allow stars representing the Confederate states to...

July 1863's battle in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was a significant political and military achievement for the Union. The war was not going well for Abraham Lincoln politically, and he was desperate...

In the days of yore, pirates sailed the high seas in search of fortune and adventure. One of their most valuable navigational tools was the trusty spyglass.

Brother against brother, they fought for change or the right to keep their way of life. The civil war brought long casualty lists and many battles but one unplanned meeting would change the path...

The origin of the name "Idaho" is a mystery. Though several theories have been presented, none can be affirmed with certainty.

When the 13th falls on a Friday, which happens from one to three times a year, you can expect to hear comments and jokes about all the rotten things that are bound to occur on that day. Most of...

The practice of Turkish coffee reading, sometimes referred to as tasseography, is descendant from the tradition of tea leaf reading. There are many cultures that practice Turkish coffee readings,...

Notorious gangs and solo outlaws flooded the Wild West, but only the legend of Jesse James carried rumors, myths and secrets that have traveled for generations after his death. Ride along the...

Every little girl dreams of becoming a Princess. To have the wealth, riches, and fame. Here are the ways that it is done:

For centuries magnets have been touted as healers of myriad conditions---everything from insomnia to aging. Magnetic bracelets are available in stainless steel and copper, depending on the type of...

For most, thoughts of a Mountain Man bring images of a gruff, bearded man living alone in the wilderness, abiding by his own rules and living a solitary life. While that is partially true,...