Legends & Folklore

Bowhead whaling refers to whale hunting that focuses specifically on the bowhead whale, a baleen whale that lives in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. Bowhead whales became a target of commercial...

The U.S. Army began using sleeve insignia patches during World War II, generally divided by corps, division and brigades and worn high on the left shoulder under the seam. The Army extensively...

The history of military medals dates to the Roman Empire in which honors, often in the form of a metal disk featuring the emperor's likeness, were bestowed on officers to recognize military...

Witch balls are hollow glass orbs that hang in the windows of homes to ward off evil spirits or negative energy. They have been around in one form or another for more than 600 years. They were...

The U.S. Marine Corps traces its history to 1739 when an American detachment was formed to fight alongside British Marines. The Marines' official organization occurred in 1775 and has since fought...

Montauk Monster pictures. Everyone is looking for them now that the creature has made its second showing to our planets surface. Approximately a year ago the creature was found in an estate park...

Spanish coins have a fascinating history in the new world. They can be found all over North and South America and are worth a hefty sum of money. The information below will teach you a few facts...

White magic and herbs go hand in hand for both wishing things to come and pushing them away. Using white magic in tandem with various herbs can help accomplish several things at once or just one...

Indigenous peoples all over the world honor the four directions. Similarities can be found amongst the Native Americans, Africans, Asians of the Orient and India and the Celts. All the ancient...

The Oregon Trail was an amazing feat accomplished by thousands of Americans in the Mid 1800's. An estimated 400,000 people traveled the Oregon Trail in part between 1834 and 1867.

Hypnotism is the art of essentially controlling someone's mind. It has been done for centuries by many people. It has been used for many purposes, from comedy to curing sickness and mental...

Whether an optical illusion or a true ghost ship, the "Flying Dutchman" is a legendary sailing vessel seafarers claim to have seen over the years. Spotting the eighteenth-century "Flying Dutchman"...

The US Frigate Constitution defeated and captured the HMS Guerriere during the Battle of 1812.

Traditions are practiced in many distinct forms. Traditions are commonly known as ritualistic practices that are passed on generation after generation; they're passed through society, family and...

It is not known who invented the first quill pen anymore than it is known who invented the first knife or clay pot. Things invented in antiquity are difficult to attach to any one individual,...

Fire rituals have been around since ancient recorded history. Fire is a powerful symbol of transformation, and can be used, with the proper spiritual education, to supersede emotional blocks and...

A visit to a cemetery can be filled with mystery and history. If you've ever wandered through the gravestones in a cemetery, perhaps you noticed pennies sitting on some gravestones. The practice...

The USS Constitution is a 44-gun, three-mast frigate built in 1797. To this day it is a commissioned U.S. Navy ship with an active 60-person crew. The ship was involved in the blockade of Tripoli...

Fantasy books and movies, and imaginations around the world, are filled with dragons breathing fire at innocent villagers and stalwart knights. Whether you are a writer, role-playing gamer or...

Gargoyles refer to stone carvings atop buildings, usually representing monsters or supernatural creatures. They have taken a hold in the popular subconscious and are often viewed as symbols of...

Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur that was pulled from the stone, bequeathed by the Lady of the Lake. It signaled, by divine providence, that its bearer is entitled to rule over all...

Some believe that gem stones hold various meaningful energies within them. These energies may be of use to ward off enemies, bring health, prosperity and even help with business deals.

Ashton Kutcher has brought back that old prank called Ding Dong Ditch that you might have played as a kid at least once. You have also seen a crow do it on a Windex commercial when they ring the...

This is a quick explanation of the history behind how the Grand Tetons got their name.

Reading a full horoscope for any sign requires in-depth knowledge of astrology. It also helps to have a heightened intuitive sensibility. To read a full Aries horoscope, the astrologer must not...

Despite their comical grimaces, gargoyles menaced people of the Middle Ages by reminding them that if they didn't attend church and follow religious tenets, they could expect more than grotesque...

This is one of a series of my articles which might be termed "shape-shifting" or "urban shamanism." With the skills you'll learn in this article, you will have more control...

A good speech can be motivational. A good speech can be awe-inspiring. A solid theme or phrase from one speech can withstand the test of time and live throughout the ages. 1852 - Frederick...

Our friends, family, co-workers, and more frequently forward emails to us with tips, stories, warnings, and more. And we forward them too. Unfortunately a vast majority of these simply are not...

An equinox is the time of year when daytime hours are exactly equal to nighttime hours. Most people have heard the term but know little about equinoxes.

Who hasn't wanted to be a ninja? Every child I have ever been has wanted to be one of those dark, death dealing, super fabulous agents of destruction. But most of them get the ideas from tv, which...

Family history research is popular in the United States, and many online resources are available to help discover your ancestry. Heraldry is linked to ownership of the land and to the traditions...

The color of the sky is directly related to the position of the sun and the interaction (or scattering) between elements in the Earth's atmosphere and the different wavelengths of light emitted...

Flatiron buildings are structures built between 1880 and 1926, generally in Beaux-Arts or Renaissance Revival architectural designs popular of the era. The buildings are identified as flatirons...

Spend a few minutes in the fantasy world and write your own tale of fairies, dragons, elves, and mermaids. Impress your kids with their very own bedtime fairy tale.

Fairies are not only little people, they are spirits, they have the ability to turn invisible at will, and usually can only be seen if they let you, or if they don't know you are watching them,...

All people have dreams every time they sleep. Not everyone remembers their dreams, but the dreams occur nonetheless. Sometimes the dreams are straightforward, but dreams can be mysterious and...

Thoughts of magic often paint pictures of the paranormal and the mysterious, but not all magic is the same. So what is white magic?

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. They have represented status symbols, love, religion, even punishment. The history of tattoos is long and varied.

Yard gnomes lead a lonely life if left in the flowerbed or confined to guard duty on the front stoop. This April 1st, treat your yard gnome to a day out (or a night on the town) as a thank-you for...

Coyotes are what Western lore are made of, but they have become part of the urban landscape. The coyotes once wide-open lands are a shrinking landscape. The coyotes have moved into domestic...

In 1886, the French government gave the United States the Statue of Liberty as a present to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. However, the gift...

James Armistead Lafayette was an African-American slave who lived in Colonial Virginia. He was born between 1748 and 1760 into slavery for the Will Armistead family, and volunteered in 1781 to...

The Wichita Indians originally lived in an area that ranged from what is currently Kansas to Texas. They now live in Oklahoma. They were also called the Black Pawnee by the Sioux and Pani Pique,...

Fog Island Lighthouses in Nantucket attract many visitors year around. The three Fog Island lighthouses have been photographed for countless advertising campaigns and have been featured in movie...

For generations, imaginations have been captured by what is perhaps the embodiment of the American Old West--the Alamo. Even the name conjures up images of cowboys and men on horseback, grizzled...

Biographies can range from being a simple eulogy of a favorite uncle to a multivolume thesis on a great military leader. Regardless of length, all biographies need to be well-researched and...

While magic seems trivial or even silly to most people, it isn't. Magic pervades in our everyday lives. If you have ever witnessed a strange event or experienced a strange sensation for which you...

Have you ever wanted to see or find a real mermaid? well in this article you will learn the most realistic way to encounter face to face with a real mermaid and know if they do exist.

Rest in peace with these strategies. Ghosts are difficult to talk to because they don't have the same goals as those who want to talk to them. Learn some strategies to communicate well with ghosts