George Gordon Byron, more famously known as Lord Byron, was a prolific English romantic poet, though he is mostly known for Don Juan, a 17-cantos poem whose scandalous subject matter (in it, he openly expresses his disgust of fellow poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge) only lends to its popularity among scholars of English … Continue reading The Greatest Crime in Literary History

Anneleis Marie Frank was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1929, the second of two daughters born to Otto and Edith Frank. Life in post-World War I Germany was rough, not only because unemployment was high and poverty was severe, but also because Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party, seizing on the country's growing anger, were … Continue reading Prinsengracht 263

By 1775, tensions between the American colonies and the British government were reaching a breaking point. Although the Declaration of Independence was still over a year away, preparations were already being made for what many colonists viewed as an inevitable conflict. In Massachusetts, for example, Patriots had formed a "shadow" government and were training militias … Continue reading Shots Fired

If I were to say the words "Niagra Falls," what would be the first thing that came to your mind? Can I venture a guess? If the word "water" wasn't your first choice, I think it's pretty safe to assume it was a close second. That's because, even if you've never been in person, Niagra … Continue reading When The Waters Ran Dry

Susan B. Anthony was an activist seemingly from birth. Born into a Quaker family, her father's mill failed when he refused to use slave-grown cotton. Inspired by his steadfast commitment to justice, she was collecting anti-slavery petitions as early as 17. During the Civil War, she helped found the Women's Loyal National League, which conducted … Continue reading Are Women Persons?

On this day in 1896, an Austrian Jewish immigrant and son of an Austrian candy maker opened a shop in New York City. His name was Leo Hirschfield and, while the name may be unfamiliar, the candy he soon created probably isn't. And no, I'm not talking about Bromangelon Jelly Powder, a gelatin dessert powder … Continue reading “Whatever It Is I Think I see…”

In 1963, a man named Jack Babb visited the UK at the behest of Peter Prichard. Prichard was a London talent agent whose close friend, Brian Epstein, had recently begun managing a new musical group that was rapidly growing in popularity across Europe. Babb, who was a talent scout himself, was searching for acts to … Continue reading Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…

In the late 1880's, to honor the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the French government began planning the 1889 Paris International Exposition, a kind of "world's fair" that would bring thousands of people to the French capital to marvel at the architecture, sample its foods, and get a taste--not only for French culture--but for … Continue reading “This Odious Column of Bolted Metal”

Dr. James Bedford died on January 12, 1967. Sort of. Unlike the millions of deaths that came before his, Bedford did not go to the grave with an intent to stay there. Therefore, his body is not buried underground, nor are his ashes contained to an urn or scattered somewhere he held dear. No, Dr. … Continue reading Time of Death….