Events

Three Times When Humanity Could Disappear
Ancient civilizations and prophets from around the world have consistently predicted the demise of humanity and the Earth. The calendar of the Maya, the ancient civilization of America, ended on December 21, 2012. At that time, the whole world awaited the end of the world, but it did not happen. However, the prophecies of the famous French soothsayer Michel Nostradamus are detailed until the year 3797. Does this mean that life on Earth will end then, and should we believe such predictions at all? Incidentally, the death of our planet will occur when the Sun goes out, plunging the world into darkness, but this will not happen for at least another billion years. Some even believe in the possibility of black holes forming in the Large Hadron Collider, but that is beyond the realm of fantasy. What catastrophes have threatened and could threaten humanity in the future?
By Vitalii Petrov2 years ago in History
Twenty Years after Nepal's Royal Massacre
On the night of June 1, 2001, exactly twenty years ago, an event at the Narayanhiti palace saw an end to an entire family of the then ruling Shah dynasty. Helicopters were hovering and rumour mills were active. In the pre-smartphone days, when mobile phones were still uncommon, the SMSs didn’t stop coming, and home phones rang non-stop. I was then working at the Soaltee Hotel, where the requisition of a large amount of ice from the hospitals triggered lots of questions.
By Haratima Foundation2 years ago in History
Why plague doctors wore beaked masks?
The year is 1656. Your body is wracked by violent chills. Your head pounds, your muscles are too weak to sit up, and you feel like rancid, hard-boiled eggs are squeezing out of your neck and armpits. In your feverish state, you see a strange-looking man approach, his face obscured by a beak-like mask, his body covered from head to toe. He examines you and even without seeing his face, you know the diagnosis: you have the plague. The plague stands out as one of the most terrifying and destructive diseases in human history. It swept across large parts of Afro- Eurasia in three separate pandemics starting in the 6th, 14th, and 19th centuries; killed tens of millions of people, and had— in the best of cases— about a 40% survival rate. The European plague doctor, with his beaked mask and wizard-like robes, is one of the images most popularly associated with plague today. He’s often found in books and films about the 14th century pandemic known as the Black Death. The only problem is that’s about as accurate as placing a modern surgeon at the court of Louis the 14th in Versailles. The confusion is understandable though— the Black Death had several aftershocks, including a series of devastating outbreaks in Western Europe during the 17th century. This is when the iconic plague doctor actually emerged on the scene. First described in the early 17th century, the outfit consisted of a hood with crystal eyepieces and a beak filled with a pungent combination of herbs and compounds. This could include cinnamon, pepper, turpentine, roast copper, and powdered viper flesh. This recipe was inspired by the famed 2nd century Greco-Roman physician Galen, and was thought to ward off poisoned air known as miasma. People believed this bad air spread plague after emanating from swamps and sources of decay, such as dead plants or animal carcasses. In earlier centuries, doctors across Europe carried metal pomanders filled with similar mixtures, and it’s possible that the beak evolved as a hands-free alternative. The rest of the costume, which included an oiled leather robe, boots and gloves, acted as kind of an early hazmat suit, likely designed to block miasma from entering through the skin’s pores. While this shows some basic understanding that plague spread from one place to another, these doctors couldn’t know that, in most cases, the true culprit was a tiny flea transmitting the bacteria, Yersinia pestis, from one person or animal to another. It’s possible that the plague doctor’s outfit may have provided some unintentional protection from flea bites. However, not enough information survives to know whether the costumed doctors fared any better than their ordinarily robed counterparts. It's no surprise that this bizarre getup has captured popular imagination, despite the fact that its use was limited to a few places in Italy and France during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Even at the time, it was viewed with macabre fascination and occasionally used to mock the ineffective and corrupt practices of some physicians. Until the 20th century, there was no effective treatment for the plague, but that didn’t stop doctors— costumed or not— from trying. They consulted the works of earlier physicians for guidance, did what they could to fend off miasma, and prescribed a variety of concoctions and antidotes. They also relied on pre-modern medical mainstays. These could include bloodletting, which involved draining (sometimes concerningly large amounts of) blood in an attempt to remove poison or restore the body’s natural balance. Or cupping, where the rim of a heated glass was placed over swollen lymph nodes in hopes of making them burst sooner— a sign, when it occurred naturally, that a plague patient was on the mend. Or— perhaps most painfully— cautery, which involved lancing the lymph nodes with a red-hot poker to release the blackened pus within. A lot has changed since their times. Modern medicine has given us the means to quickly identify bacterial as well as viral threats and to effectively mobilize against them. We also have access to technologies like test kits, masks to deter the spread of respiratory viruses, and vaccines; and we conduct robust trials to make sure they’re safe and effective. But some things don’t change: we still depend on the courage and compassion of medical professionals who voluntarily risk their lives against an invisible attacker to help and comfort those who need it most.
By Shinosuke2 years ago in History
The process of demilitarization of Japan after World War II.
The primary factor influencing Japan's disarmament process should be recognized as the geographical difficulties faced by the authorities responsible for the disarmament. This refers to the placement of equipment and weaponry, as Japan was well-prepared to defend its main islands and had preemptively constructed makeshift fortresses equipped with brigades. Strategically important positions, such as the peninsula forming Tokyo Bay, the coastline of Fukuoka (northwestern Japan), and many other positions, were fortified with heavy artillery. In general, significant stocks of military equipment and other assets were dispersed throughout Japan, in thousands of hidden caches located deep in the mountains, in underground tunnels, and camouflaged warehouses, as well as scattered across the extended Japanese landscape.
By Vitalii Petrov2 years ago in History
UK GENERAL ELECTIONS
As the sun rises on July 4th, 2024, a sense of anticipation hangs in the air across the United Kingdom. Today is not just any Thursday; it’s the day of the general election, a pivotal moment that will shape the nation’s future. From the bustling streets of London to the serene landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, millions of citizens are preparing to cast their votes in what promises to be one of the most significant elections in recent memory.
By Vinceolar2 years ago in History
The South China Sea Dispute: A History of the Conflict
A small outcrop of sand occasionally disrupts the endless expanses of the South China Sea. These islands are modest, even miniature, but they lie at the heart of a fierce territorial dispute among six major claimants: Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. These claimants also conflict over their rights and obligations in the adjacent waters and the seabed beneath them.
By Vitalii Petrov2 years ago in History
### Unveiling the King of Pop: Lesser-Known Facts About Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, often referred to as the King of Pop, remains one of the most influential figures in the history of music and entertainment. While his chart-topping hits and iconic dance moves are well-known worldwide, there are many intriguing aspects of his life that are less commonly discussed. Here are some fascinating tidbits about Michael Jackson that might surprise even his most devoted fans.
By Champions of Knowledge2 years ago in History
10 most extraordinary festivals
Top 10 extraordinary festivals or celebrations that showcase different cultures and traditions. 1. Holi (India): Known as the Festival of Colors, Holi celebrates the arrival of spring with vibrant colored powders and water fights, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a vibrant and joyous celebration that holds deep cultural and religious significance in India. This ancient Hindu festival marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. It is a time for people to come together, forget their differences, and revel in the spirit of unity and love.
By Gaurang shrimal2 years ago in History
The Stolen Child of Appalachia
In 1792, Caty Sage was five years old and was taken from her home in Elk Creek, Grayson County, Va. Caty's story has also been referred to as ¨The Lost Girl of Grayson¨.
By sara burdick2 years ago in History
Celebrating Freedom: The Powerful Legacy of Juneteenth
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, is a vibrant and poignant day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This powerful holiday symbolizes the resilience, freedom, and enduring spirit of the African American community. Recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has grown in prominence, serving as a reminder of the long journey toward justice and equality.
By Ankit Aswal2 years ago in History
The Engineering of Consent
“The engineering of consent is the very essence of the democratic process, the freedom to persuade and suggest.” - Edward Bernays
By Waleed Mahmud Tariq2 years ago in History
OPINION | ‘Look what you made me do’: A study on Rizal’s justification of the existence of Filipino indolence and its roots
The Indolence of The Filipino by José Rizal “We must confess that indolence does actually and positively exist there; only that, instead of holding it to be the cause of the backwardness and the trouble, we regard it as the effect of the trouble and the backwardness, by fostering the development of a lamentable predisposition.” — José Rizal, 1890.
By Precious Altura2 years ago in History