Caliban is one of William Shakespeare’s most popular characters. Over the centuries, the character has been depicted in various ways and often reflects the times of the production. — In 1611 the Court of King James I of England was treated to a production of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The play mixed the real world with the otherworldly. …

Tarrare had an insatiable appetite. And this may have included cannibalism. — There is an odd disease that affects some people’s eating ability. Known as polyphagia, this disorder can cause people to overeat and eat things such as chalk, tobacco, and even household items. Not only will they eat large amounts of food, but they will also often eat non-food objects. One…

These movies are always in rotation in my house. — It’s that time of year when Christmas movies are on heavy rotation on TV and streaming services. Many households will be watching their favorite Christmas movies this weekend (especially if you are in the United States and experiencing some record snowfall and temperatures). Several Christmas movies are always on rotation…

While some professional wrestlers make a living being disliked, these people are not acting. — The world of professional wrestlers has two main categories regarding their character. You are either a babyface (a good guy) or a heel (a bad guy). And some of the more popular wrestlers live in the grey area of a “tweener” (think Attitude Era “Stone Cold” Steve Austin). In reality…

The first major North American war was part of a much bigger conflict. — The French & Indian War (1754–1763) was a part of a much larger conflict known as the Seven Years’ War. The conflict pitted the British (along with their American colonists) against the French and Indian allies. The North American conflict was fought over the Northwest Territory. …

One of the most famous mountain men with a thirst for vengeance, a hunger for, well… — John Jerimiah Garrison Johnston is a legend of the Old West. He was born John Garrison in New Jersey on July 1, 1824. He served on a ship during the Mexican-American War but deserted after striking an officer. He then changed his name to John Johnston and fled to the…

The world’s favorite sport keeps struggling to gain traction in the United States. — The 2022 World Cup began this week in Qatar. While this year’s event is surrounded by controversy over the choice of the host country, many sports fans in the United States are barely aware of the event. Much like the Summer Olympics, the World Cup is the only time many…

The world’s oldest operating riverboat is still going strong. — The Belle of Louisville is one of the most recognizable steamboats in the world. The Belle is considered the oldest riverboat in operation and is an integral part of the Kentucky Derby Festival. …

War on the Mediterranean Sea influenced how the United States dealt with hostile nations. — The Barbary Wars were two conflicts in which the United States joined Sweden and the Kingdom of Sicily in war with the three Barbary States. The First Barbary War lasted from 1801–1805, while the Second Barbary War was a three-day conflict in 1815. While not as well-known as some of…