Friday, 24 October 2025

Zambia Independence Day

 24 October is Zambian Independence Day. Happy Independence Day.

Thursday, 23 October 2025

Sports and Society in the 1920s

 This is an article about sports and society in the 1920s 

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

National Nut Day

22 October is National Nut Day. Here is some nut-related info:

1. Almonds are native to western Asia. They are mentioned in the Bible, and the Egyptians grew them. The Romans grew almonds, and they have been popular ever since.

2. Brazil nuts are native to South America. The Dutch introduced them into Europe in the early 17th century. They became popular in the 18th century.

3. Cashew nuts came from Brazil but in the late 16th century the Portuguese spread them to other parts of the world.

4. Peanuts are native to Central America. The Spanish introduced them into Europe.

5. Walnuts first grew in Persia. They were grown by the Greeks and later by the Romans, and walnuts spread through Europe. Walnuts were well-known in England in the 16th century.



Friday, 17 October 2025

Zu Wetian

 On 17 October 690 AD, Empress Wu Zetian became the first woman to rule China

Thursday, 16 October 2025

Tuesday, 14 October 2025

Desserts

 14 October is National Desserts Day. Here is my history of desserts

Monday, 13 October 2025

Werewolves

 In the 16th and 17th centuries, many people believed that human beings people could use witchcraft to transform themselves into animals, including wolves. Being a werewolf was punishable by death. In France, Germany, and other parts of Europe, a number of men were convicted of being werewolves and executed. The first known case was a Frenchman in 1521. The last known case was in 1691 when 1691 a Latvian named Theiss confessed to being a werewolf. But Theiss was lucky. He was only sentenced to 20 lashes.

Jazz in Nazi Germany

 On 12th October 1935, Hitler banned jazz music from German radio. He said it was un-German. But some 'Swing Kids' still listened to jazz.

Wednesday, 8 October 2025

Gordon Cummins

 I wrote about Gordon Cummins. He was a serial killer in Britain during World War II. They called him the blackout killer because he took advantage of wartime blackouts to kill.

Thursday, 2 October 2025

Wednesday, 1 October 2025

The Invention of the Chimney

 One often overlooked invention of the Middle Ages was the chimney. It made houses warm but much less smokey. This is an article about the invention of the chimney.

National Black Dog Day

 1 October is National Black Dog Day. Let's hear it for black dogs!