General
Shadows of Valor: The Legend of Carlos Hathcock, Vietnam's Stealthy Sniper
In a serene field dominated by bamboo and tall grass, a gentle wind stirs, swaying the long grasses in a dance. In these fleeting moments of nature's choreography, an American sniper, outfitted in a complete camouflage ghillie suit, inches his way forward, ever so slightly, a mere centimeter at a time. And as the breeze subsides, he freezes, immobile, resolute, awaiting the next gust that will grant him passage. Yet, in the absence of that fortuitous zephyr, he steels himself to persist in his journey towards a distant goal, a mile and a half away. An almost inconceivable pace of advancement awaits him – a crawl of twelve inches per hour. This deliberate, methodical progress draws the attention of none other than the local wildlife, which grazes and ambles mere inches from his hidden form. Even a venomous viper unwittingly traverses his path, unfazed by the presence of the intrepid sniper.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Brave and Buried: The Untold Stories of Vietnam's Tunnel Rats
On June 11, 1969, in Ba Ria city, Vung Tau province, Vietnam, a new guy arrived at the base to see a total mess. Just a few days earlier, a group of soldiers got hit by an M16 mine, which they called the "Jumping jack" because it leaped into the air when triggered. This mine killed three soldiers and wounded 24 others. Shortly after that, the enemy planted another mine that went off when a vehicle passed by, and this was the new guy's first encounter with a dead body. In the middle of all this chaos, he had to quickly get used to his job.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Unraveling the Enigma of Black Holes: Portals to the Cosmic Unknown
In the vast tapestry of the universe, few celestial phenomena capture our imagination quite like black holes. These enigmatic cosmic entities are shrouded in mystery, both captivating and confounding astronomers and scientists for decades. In this exploration, we delve into the awe-inspiring world of black holes, uncovering their formation, properties, and the mind-bending implications they hold for our understanding of space and time.
By Eivor Kent 2 years ago in History
Fateful Journey: A Hero's Quest for Love
In the sun-dappled streets of a small town, a proud mother showed off her newborn son. Upon noticing his lucky birthmark, townsfolk predicted he would marry a princess. But soon, these rumors reached the ears of the wicked king.
By stephen kinyanjui2 years ago in History
Unveiling the Zombie: Origins and Cultural Evolution
Animated corpses appear in stories all over the world throughout recorded history. But zombies have a distinct lineage— one that traces back to Equatorial and Central Africa. The first clue is in the word “zombie” itself. Its exact etymological origins are unknown, but there are several candidates.
By stephen kinyanjui2 years ago in History
Evolution of Cemeteries: From Life to Rest
Spindly trees, rusted gates, crumbling stone, a solitary mourner— these things come to mind when we think of cemeteries. But not so long ago, many burial grounds were lively places, with blooming gardens and crowds of people strolling among the headstones.
By stephen kinyanjui2 years ago in History
Oppenheimer: The Horror We Did Not See. Content Warning.
One thing that was surprisingly absent from Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, a film about the earth-shattering implications of the invention of the atomic bomb, both for the soul of one man and for mankind as a whole, was the depiction of the actual deployment of nuclear weapons against Japan towards the end of WWII.
By Jordan Villapando2 years ago in History
From Rivals to Companions: The Remarkable Evolution of Dogs
Since their emergence over 200,000 years ago, modern humans have established homes and communities all over the planet. But they didn't do it alone. Whatever corner of the globe you find homo sapiens in today, you're likely to find another species nearby: Canis lupus familiaris. Whether they're herding, hunting, sledding, or slouching, the sheer variety of domestic dogs is staggering. But what makes the story of man's best friend so surprising is that they all evolved from a creature often seen as one of our oldest rivals: Canis lupus, or the gray wolf.
By stephen kinyanjui2 years ago in History
Chocolate's Journey: From Bitter Elixir to Global Delicacy
If you can't fathom a life without the rich indulgence of chocolate, count yourself fortunate for not having been born before the 16th century. Prior to that era, chocolate existed solely within the realm of Mesoamerica, taking on a form remarkably distinct from the familiar treat we adore today. As early as 1900 BCE, the inhabitants of this region mastered the art of preparing the beans harvested from the native cacao tree. These beans were meticulously ground and then combined with cornmeal and fiery chili peppers, culminating in a beverage that diverged considerably from the soothing cup of hot cocoa we now savor – instead, it was a bitter and invigorating elixir, bubbling forth with frothy foam.
By stephen kinyanjui2 years ago in History











