War can bring about some uneasy alliances. In the right circumstances, opposing forces can sometimes be persuaded to stop killing each — for a little while, anyway. This happened on Christmas Day, […]
The Wolves That Fought in World War I
Parisian Parrots Protect People From Planes
During World War I, citizens of Paris were quick to contribute to the war effort in any way possible. Parisians of all walks of left chipped in, whether poor or rich, young […]
How Lawrence of Arabia’s Death Led to the Use of the Crash Helmet?
T.E. Lawrence, known around the world as “Lawrence of Arabia,” died on May 19, 1935. His death, 6 days after a tragic motorcycle accident, seemed an inglorious end to the life of […]
What Do Headaches, Heroin, World War I, and Aspirin Have in Common?
The closing years of the 19th century saw the introduction of two over-the-counter wonder drugs. These products, both manufactured by Bayer, boasted unprecedented results in treating pain and other ailments. They were […]
Meet the POW Who Voluntarily Returned to Captivity
During World War I a British officer was released from a German POW camp to visit his mother. The release was conditioned on his promise that he return after his visit. He […]
1890: Not a Good Year to Be Born in France
Half of all male babies born in France in 1890 were killed or maimed during World War I. source
The Last of Those Who Gave The Last Full Measure of Their Devotion
While records are sometimes sketchy and inconclusive, the following is a list of the last surviving veterans of the United States’ wars and major military operations.
The Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve, 1914, many German and British troops sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines, and at certain points the Allied soldiers even heard brass bands joining the Germans […]
Around the World with a Baby Carriage
The Earl of Lonsdale accepted a bet from his friend John Pierpoint Morgan that no man could circumnavigate the globe, on foot, without being recognized. The wager didn’t end there. By 1908, […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 