Rudyard Kipling's "Stiff Upper Lip": From Empire to Tragedy
Rudyard Kipling, born in India in 1865, embodied the spirit of British Imperialism during its peak. His life was a …
General
5 Historical Figures Feeling the Blues
Feeling down in the dumps? Got a case of the Mondays? Don't worry, you're not alone. Take solace in these melancholy …
A Five-Minute Guide to Waistcoats and Vests
Today, waistcoats, or vests, are the essential third piece in the traditional three-piece male business suit. Historians …
Exquisite Pocket Watches of a Bygone Time
Designed to slip into the pocket of the new waistcoats introduced by King Charles II of England, pocket watches became a …
A Brief History of Fairies
Do you believe in fairies? As a child, my parents told me that when a tooth fell out, I should place it under the pillow …
The Tale o' Jack-o'-Lantern
It was a cold, dark night as they crossed the moors on All Hallows' Eve. The folk at the village had said not to venture …
Knock Knock: A Brief History of Door Knockers
For anyone living in the United Kingdom, there is one door knocker that is the most powerful in the land. A lion's head …
Royal Carriages: Traveling in Splendor
Electric windows, heating, and hydraulic stabilizers: these are the accouterments afforded a modern royal carriage fit …
16 of the Best Authors in History—vote for your favorite
Whether you love the Regency romances of Jane Austen, the fantasy of J. R. R. Tolkien, the science fiction of Jules …
The Top 3 Most Beautiful Cathedrals Built in Honor of St Patrick
Saint Patrick was a 5th-century Christian missionary from a Romano-British family. Ireland's primary patron saint, St …
A Brief History of Cats—and why we love them
It's official—we're crazy about cats! According to the ASPCA, Americans own 85.8 million cats. And in Europe, it's the …
Valentine Moments in Time
What is love? Philosophers have debated this question for eons. They divide love into three forms: eros, the passionate, …
The World's Libraries — beautiful buildings for all to enjoy
Libraries have been around since antiquity. Their emergence marks the end of prehistory and the dawn of history. The …
Happy New Year!
"Auld Lang Syne" means "old long since", "long long ago", "days gone by", or "old times". Written by Robert Burns in …
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season! Beneath The Snow Encumbered Branches by Joseph …
Celebrating Christmas in World War 2 - Keep Calm and Carry On
The war years made celebrating the tradition of Christmas very difficult. But people found ways to make the most of it. …
What’s Your Favorite Christmas Movie?
Burning Fireplace Fire GIFfrom Burning Fireplace GIFs The log fire is crackling away nicely. You've made a hot cup of …
Dance Hall Days
The word "Ballroom" is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates from the Latin word ballare, meaning 'to …
If You Could be Princess for a Day, Which Princess Would you be?
The term "Princess" is most often used as the regal rank of a daughter or granddaughter of a king or queen, or the wife …
Anyone for Tennis?
Credit: Fr Maxim Massalitin (Click to Enlarge). "Advantage Brother Egbert." During the 12th century, in monasteries …