Nakrotor

Groundhog Day is much older than you’d think, with a much richer tradition and history than expected for such a bizarre holiday. Every year on February 2nd, a ground hog named Punxsutawney Phil wakes up and comes out of his burrow in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He then makes a weather forecast based on his shadow. If he sees his shadow, there are six more weeks to winter. If he does not, winter will be over soon. This strange tradition might seem to have no purpose or sense to most people. However, it has a long history and tradition that dates back to early American settlement days. It has precedent in European folklore and paganistic traditions. It begins on a Scottish Candlemas -Groundhog Day Candlemas is the ancient pagan celebration of the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It was essentially the celebration of the return of light to the land after the long, dark winter months. Farmers could begin preparing their lands for the next spring season. For...

The History of Manchester United Manchester United are known as one of the world’s greatest football teams. This article traces their history from humble beginnings as Newton Heath LYR. Back in 1878, a group of railway workers decided to form a football team to play against fellow workers. They called themselves Newton Heath LYR (Lancashire & Yorkshire Railways) and from such humble beginnings grew one of the greatest football teams ever, for today that small works side is known the world over as Manchester United . This small club struggled to survive in its early days. When the Football league was formed in 1888, it was not in that class to consider joining, though it did just four years later. And early in the twentieth century, the club looked like collapsing with financial problems until local brewer John Henry Davies put his hand in his pocket to save them. Birth of Manchester United One of the conditions that John Henry Davies attached to him financing the club in 1902 was t...

A Chinese Way of War The primary goal of a commander educated in the style of the ancient Chinese military classics was a rapid, easy victory, one obtained via a variety of tactics which have a long lineage within Chinese military historiography. The tactics advanced by various Chinese authors in the ancient textsdisplay a uniquely Chinese way of war. The reason such an identification of the differences in Chinese and Western ways of war is possible can be found in the information available through the ancient Chinese military texts. These texts allow the reader to examine the Chinese strategic and tactical advice which played an essential role in the creation of a unified China . Beginning with an examination of Chinese strategy as put forward by the various authors an agreement can be found regarding the need to have the populace’s support for war before engaging in large scale military operations. The Chinese authors understood that without the support of the people, a campaign was...

African Americans and Women in WWII During the Second World War little pressure was placed upon American society to rethink gender and racial stereotypes. Mainstream white American assumptions concerning race and gender limited both the numbers and roles of African Americans and women employed in the American Army Air Force during the Second World War. African Americans faced a severe racial ideology attributing them with physical and mental deficiencies, cowardice and natural subservience, according to William Alexander Percy’s article “Jim Crow and Uncle Sam: The Tuskegee Flying Units and the U.S. Army Air Forces in Europe during World War II”, in The Journal of Military History . Women faced gender stereotyping similar to that of the racial ideology, and in conjunction with cultural fears of women alone with men in an aircraft and the possible effect of menstruation on a woman’s ability to perform her duty, as stated in a lecture by John Morrow and Reina Pennington to Norwich Uni...

Act of Suicide and Shame and Disgrace in Ancient Rome and Japan The act of suicide in ancient Rome, Seppuku in Japan, was considered a means of regaining some honor or reputation in the face of shame and failure. For the Greeks and Romans one’s honor and reputation were highly valued and they were often not only limited to life itself but also entailed repercussions followed after death. Also read A Chinese Way of War African Americans and Women in WWII   While some of the ancients may have been concerned about their personal fate and destiny of the afterlife, the Romans were mostly preoccupied of the image and legacy they left behind in the minds of other people and the shame and disgrace they may have caused or cause to their family and the other generations to come. Suicide and Death by Execution in Ancient Roman Life To the Roman nobility, courage and dignity were of utmost importance. When one`s life had been tarnished with a disgraceful or shameful act, suicide represented a ...

Witchcraft in European History As the number of Christians increased in Europe, the indigenous religious beliefs and practitioners became a target for destruction in a battle of beliefs. Christians in medieval and renaissance Europe viewed the indigenous religious system and magical spells, incantations, blessings and healings as a threat to their hold on the people. They began to condemn the practices as witchcraft and labeled them as evil practices, even if the practices were not evil in purpose. A schism was created between magic and miracle, the battle-line was drawn. Also read Origin of Mormonism 21st Century Jewish Traditions The definition of witchcraft is the use of magic and religion for an evil purpose, sorcery, out of the norm of the local religious practices. It is the use of supernatural powers to harm other’s minds, bodies or property. It involves communication with evil spirits or the devil, and utilizes negative forces in casting spells. Many practitioners of primal rel...

Adolf Hitler’s On-Going Popularity with Students The Third Reich is a frequent topic of student history papers yet the themes often point to a subtle fascination with Hitler and the trappings of National Socialism. In Stephen King’s story Apt Pupil , an intelligent high school student becomes fascinated with Hitler and the Third Reich while researching a school project. His fascination turns into obsession and ultimately awakens within him the “dark side” of human evil. Although Hitler died over sixty years ago, he still elicits interest, especially among students writing history research papers. To what can this fascination be attributed? The Realities of the Third Reich Also read Adolf Hitler, The Rise of Nazi Germany in Europe Adolf Hitler’s Final Days When Ingrid Piehl came to the United States as an immigrant from war-torn Germany in 1953, she wanted to put behind her the painful images of the Nazi time. Today, approaching eighty, she still blames Hitler and the Nazis for destroyi...

The History of the Flag of the United Kingdom I aim present the origins of the British national flag. Where the concept was thought up; when in history; and how the different designs amalgamated. What is the design for the British flag? The British flag derives from three countries of the United Kingdom. Initially the design is formed by the red cross of Saint George (the patron saint of England) and edged in white. This is superimposed onto the cross of Saint Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland). These two red crosses are then superimposed on the saltire of Saint Andrew (the patron saint of Scotland). Wales, however, is not represented at all on the Union Flag . The flag may appear symmetrical when you look at it, however the white lines above and below the cross of St Patrick are different widths. On the side of the flag hung closest to the flagpole, the white lines above the diagonals are wider; on the side furthest from the flagpole, the opposite is true. This means the flag can o...

Admiral Robert Blake 1598/9-1657, father of the British Navy Valerie Wilson has lived, studied and worked in Scotland, Germany and Italy; mainly employed in multi-national companies in shipping field.Admiral Robert Blake 1598/9-1657, father of the British Navy Few of those involved in Cromwell’s Commonwealth left behind good memories. One who gained his place in history with honour was Robert Blake. Also read A Brief History of Groundhog Day A Chinese Way of War African Americans and Women in WWII Admiral Robert Blake’s actual title was General Robert Blake. During the republican period of Oliver Cromwell, Admirals bore the title of General-at-Sea. Cromwell’s Commonwealth The Commonwealth (roughly, the period between the execution of King Charles I in 1649 and the restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660) was the only period in which the United Kingdom has been a Republic. After Oliver Cromwell’s death, there was no man strong enough to hold together a warring country. Charles I...

The History of Liverpool Football Club Liverpool Football Club have established themselves as one of the biggest names in world football after winning numerous trophies both in English Football and European co Liverpool Football Club was formed to fill the void left by Everton’s departure and they were elected to the Second Division of the Football League in 1893. The club ended their first season unbeaten and were promoted to the First Division as Champions. Also Read The History of Manchester United They secured their first Football League title in 1901 and were crowned champions again in 1906. By 1914, Liverpool reached their first FA Cup Final, but they were beaten by Burnley 1-0. Liverpool had to wait until 1922 before achieving more silverware when they secured another League title. They then defended their championship and became back to back League title winners for the first time in 1923. The club then had a 24 year wait before winning another trophy, winning the League title ...

The Yorkshire Museum, York Covers 2,000 Years of History The Yorkshire Museum traces the history of York from Romans to railways and Vikings to chocolate. This modern museum covers 2000 years of history. The history of York can now be seen in 21 century surroundings at the Yorkshire Museum . Over £2 million has been spent of refurbishing the museum, which reopens its doors to the public on August 1, which, aptly, is Yorkshire Day. The museum displays are centred on the city’s Roman heritage. On entering the main hall, visitors are met by a Romano British sculpture of Mars, the Roman god of war and a giant map of the Roman Empire. The Romans Built the City of York -The Yorkshire Museum The museum is divided into three major exhibitions. The Roman York display recreates life in the city almost 2000 years ago. Historic artefacts and modern research have combined to show how the city of Eboracum developed as the Romans expanded their empire, towards the end of the first century AD. The aff...

The Penny Dreadful was Great Britain’s bridge between serialized literature and the comic book. The genre has proven to have a long reaching influence from EC to Vertigo The so-called “Penny Dreadful,” a weekly eight page tabloid, was the forerunner of the British comic book. The books were a serialized novel or novelette, which began in the 1830s , but was characterized by the fact that the stories told were illustrated lurid tales of adventure and sensation. In other words, the Penny Dreadful was essentially a Victorian-era Gothic horror comic. Tales for the British Youth A grand British publishing tradition at the time was to serialize mainstream works of fiction by authors such as Charles Dickens. These serialized novels cost a shilling and were aimed at the British Working Class. The Penny Dreadful (also known as story papers, the Penny Bloods, or the penny numbers) was launched as a cheaper counterpart to this “high-brow” entertainment. The Dreads, at one-twelfth the cost of the ...

The Rise And Fall Of The Amarna Age By the end of the 15th Century B.C.E. a vibrant international community had developed across the Near East with a trade network linking Africa to Europe and Central Asia. The Amarna Age The dawn of the age began with the newly enthroned 18th Dynasty breaking out of Egypt’s traditional borders. Under Tuthmose I, (ca.1504-1492 B.C.E.), Egyptian armies ranged from Nubia in the far south to the shores of the Euphrates, a distance of over 3,000 kilometers. This initial excursion into foreign territory was followed by the ambitious plans of Tuthmose III, (ca. 1479-1425 B.C.E.). This pharaoh crushed a coalition of enemies in Palestine at Megiddo, invaded Syria, then went on to defeat an army led by the Mittani King at Juniper Hill. Tuthmose III’s military success in Syria, followed by many subsequent campaigns of consolidation, allowed Amenhotep II, (ca.1427-1401 B.C.E.), his heir, to secure Egypts place as foremost among the Great Kingdoms of the day. Sick...

Aztec Sacrifice & Cannibalism Ritual or Diet? Aztec human sacrifice is a well known aspect of the Aztec civilization. But was this only to honor the Aztec Gods or was Aztec cannibalism a supplement to Aztec food? The Aztec Empire existed in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries in central Mexico. The Empire was in effect a triple alliance of city states centered around the capital of Tenochtitlan from where the Aztecs governed their Empire. Aztec human sacrifice is a well documented phenomenon. Hernán Cortés, leader of the first wave of Spanish Conquistadores, witnessed and reported numerous instances of Aztec sacrifice. Such sacrifices often involved the consumption of human flesh, a subject which still provokes much debate today. Were these acts of cannibalism simply a form of communion with the Aztec Gods, or was there another reason behind the bloodshed? Aztec Sacrifice & Cannibalism – An Important Supplement in the Aztec Food Supply? In 1977, anthropologist and historian Mich...

The History of the Mafia in Las Vegas, Sin City The mafia did indeed make Las Vegas, and the history surrounding their involvement is just as colorful as all of the neon signs in Sin City put together. Although gambling was around in Las Vegas way before the mob, and had even been legal since the 1930s, it took the greedy imagination and chutzpah of the mafia to turn the podunk little town destined to be known as Sin city into the gambling mecca that it is today. Las Vegas and the Mafia: Enter the Mafia A guy by the name of Meyer Lansky gets the credit for being the first mobster to get that greedy little twinkle in his eye for Vegas who actually did something about it. (Al Capone is said to have been interested, but never acted upon the idea.) Meyer was Lucky Luciano’s partner and confidant, and he didn’t feel like getting the blame if Sin City didn’t work out. So he enlisted Bugsy Siegel to get mob excitement and investment moving. Siegel built the Flamingo with mob money, but he com...

Torture in East European History Rulers, military, and peasants throughout Eastern European history have been known to have used torture against their enemies, prisoners, or fellow citizens. From peasant times until Stalin’s reign of terror, kings have tortured enemies and subjects, military officials have tortured civilians, and peasants have tortured each other. Eastern European history books offer some examples of torture that are absolutely horrific. Torture in Eastern European History – Vlad the Impaler and Ivan the Terrible Vlad Dracul , or Vlad the Impaler, was a famous torturer. Most notably, he was fond of impaling his victims on stakes. This earned him a gruesome reputation by the country with folk tales of vampires and other walking undead. Romania’s relationship with Vlad the Impaler is one of both admiration and fear. Ivan the Terrible is also legendary for his cruelty. Legend says that his secret torture chamber still resides below ground level underneath the Kremlin. Tor...

The History of Laos from Ancient Times to the Lan Xang Kingdom A brief glimpse of some of the history of Laos from ancient times in prehistory to the dynastic Lan Xang kingdom which created the framework for modern Laos This article provides a brief history of the landlocked country of Laos (Lao) in South East Asia, from the prehistoric era to the heights of the Lan Xang Kingdom and its conquest by Siam. From a geographical point of view, the countries surrounding Laos are Thailand (formerly Siam), China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar (formerly Burma) and the culture and history of Laos have been very much influenced by its neighbors and the ancient civilizations of the region. History of Laos from Ancient Times A brief summary encapsulating some of the history of Laos follows: human occupation of Laos has been dated back at least 40,000 years following the discoveries of prehistoric remains and stone age tools and implements the influence of the ancient civilizations of India and Chi...

Scenes of Ice and Frozen Beauty Slippery yet solid, opaque yet translucent, ice is the universal natural phenomenon that happens when the temperature of water goes below freezing level. Whether resembling shards of broken glass or a liquidy mirror’s surface, forming huge glaciers or long jagged hanging spears, ice can be impenetrable, treacherous, or just simply lovely—and fascinating for an artist to paint. Caspar David Friedrich’s The Sea of Ice German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich’s circa 1823 The Sea of Ice is an intense and frozen scene of a wrecked ship locked within an eerie arctic landscape. Friedrich’s work was meant to depict an ill-fated voyage to the North Pole, and the boat’s ultimate yielding to vast marble-like ice slabs and ledges. In a note of personal tragedy, Friedrich’s brother fell through lake ice and drowned when Friedrich was a teenager. An underlying tone of the fierce power of nature would find its way into many of Friedrich’s artworks, just like Th...

Whiteley’s Extraordinary History Now a large shopping centre, Whiteleys was the first London department store. The iconic building is often featured on London walks. William Whiteley travelled to London from Yorkshire with only 10 pounds, intending to make his fortune. He had worked in retail before so he decided to start there. The ambitious young man began with a small draper’s business in Westbourne Grove in 1863. Luckily this was just after the Metropolitan Line of the underground opened in Paddington. The new transport made it easier for shoppers to travel to the store. Whiteley’s Extraordinary Store Whiteley sold ribbons, lace, trimmings and fancy goods in the store. Soon he was able to enlarge into fashions and accessories, including jewellery and umbrellas. He was also able to employ 15 assistants. The new business did very well so Whiteley decided to expand by buying properties on either side. Soon he introduced cleaning, hairdressing, and food. By the 1880’s Whiteley em...

Use Reenactors to Make History Come Alive Reenactors can be used to enhance the education of students. Sometimes these reenactors replicate famous battles, other times political figures, and others Reenactors are persons (actors) who play historical figures or participate in the accurate recreation of historical events. A typical reenactor may participate as a private in the Union Army during the United States Civil War and get “shot” in the opening volley of a reenactment of a battle with dozens, hundreds or even thousands of fellow reenactors. A reenactor may play a very significant historical figure such as Abraham Lincoln or Mark Twain. Battles requiring a large cast of reenactors usually are found at large public events. The solo reenactor may appear at these larger events as well or at lectures, historical celebrations, or at solo performances for special events. Different Types of Reenactors Also Read Accepting a New Job Assignmen Why Are Ghost Writers More Important… There are ...