Research

The Real Santa Claus Explained by Michael Savage, New Canaan
Every December, the image of Santa Claus appears everywhere, from store windows to holiday movies and children’s letters. He is cheerful, generous, and always ready to bring joy. However, behind the red suit and flying reindeer is a true story rooted in history and kindness. Understanding where Santa Claus really came from adds deeper meaning to Christmas. New Canaan’s blogger Michael Savage often says that knowing the origin of holiday traditions helps people appreciate the values behind them, not just the symbols.
By Mike Savage New Canaan28 days ago in History
The Grateful Doe: The 20 Year Old Case Solved By Online Web Sleuths
The Grateful Dead, an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California, were renowned for their lengthy, improvisational live performances and their devoted fan base, known as “Deadheads.” In 1995, their star-crossed Summer Tour ’95 became an unmissable event for diehard fans traveling across the country.
By Matesanz28 days ago in History
The Trial of Socrates
In 399 BCE, the city of Athens believed it was protecting itself. The jury believed it was preserving tradition, religion, and social order. Yet history would remember that day very differently. On that day, Athens placed one man on trial—not for violence or betrayal, but for thinking differently.
By The khan28 days ago in History
Napoleon Bonaparte
History remembers few figures as complex and controversial as Napoleon Bonaparte. He was a military genius to some, a tyrant to others, and a symbol of unstoppable ambition to all. Rising from modest beginnings to become Emperor of France, Napoleon reshaped Europe through war, law, and leadership. His life is a powerful reminder of how brilliance and ambition can build empires—and how the same forces can also bring them down.
By The khan28 days ago in History
When AI Listens Too Closely: The Hidden Human Cost of Digital Companionship. AI-Generated.
The Rise of AI in Everyday Life — and the Cost We Didn’t See Coming Artificial intelligence didn’t arrive with a bang. It slipped in quietly. First as a homework helper. Then a writing assistant. Then something people talked to late at night when no one else was awake. Today, AI answers questions, cracks jokes, offers advice, and sometimes pretends to listen. For most users, that’s harmless. Useful, even.
By David John29 days ago in History
Marcus Aurelius
History often celebrates conquerors, kings, and warriors for the lands they claimed and the enemies they defeated. Yet among all Roman emperors, one man stands apart—not because of how much power he held, but because of how carefully he examined himself. His name was Marcus Aurelius, and he is remembered not only as a ruler of an empire, but as a ruler of his own mind.
By The khan29 days ago in History
Son, You Must Learn to Do
“Because he was so eager to know the things in the sky, he could not see what was there before him at his very feet.” There are two ways in which, overall, Thales of Mileto is remembered. Being the first recorded philosopher of the western world, he had quite a fame, and one of the things he was famous for was his cunning intellect that, for example, helped him anticipate great harvests, invest, and make himself a wealthy man.
By Avocado Nunzella BSc (Psych) -- M.A.P about a month ago in History
Cults of Gods: Is Aphrodite older than the Olympians?
The goddess who sided with the Trojans during the Trojan War, restrained the bloodthirsty Ares, and inspired rivalry with the mortal Psyche was also one of the most influential cultic deities of the Hellenic world. Aphrodite was not merely a poetic symbol of love and beauty; she was a widely worshipped divine power whose sanctuaries, festivals, and epithets reveal a far more complex religious role.
By Alex Smithabout a month ago in History
OpenAI Unveils GPT-5.2: A Game-Changer AI Built for Professional Work. AI-Generated.
Why OpenAI’s New AI Model Feels Less Like Software and More Like a Skilled Colleague The announcement didn’t come with fireworks or dramatic promises, yet the impact was immediate. When OpenAI revealed GPT-5.2, the message was simple but powerful: artificial intelligence is no longer just assisting professionals — it is beginning to think alongside them. For people who rely on accuracy, speed, and judgment in their daily work, this update feels different from anything before it.
By David Johnabout a month ago in History
Adolf Hitler
Few figures in modern history have left a darker or more devastating mark than Adolf Hitler. His rise from obscurity to absolute power reshaped Europe, triggered the deadliest conflict in human history, and resulted in unimaginable suffering. Understanding Hitler is not about admiration—it is about learning how destructive ideologies gain power, how societies fail, and how history warns us against repeating the same mistakes.
By The khanabout a month ago in History
Tarrare: The 18th Century Glutton Who Ate Cats, Dogs and Even A Toddler
There has been a point in every person’s life when they have been so hungry they claim to be able to eat the wildest of things… “a scabby horse” comes to mind. Obviously, they don’t mean this in a literal sense and as soon as they have had a meal, their stomach tells their brain that they are full.
By Matesanzabout a month ago in History
The Babylonians Who Beat Us to Calculus
A Discovery That Changes the Story, Today So, here we are in 2025, still trying to wrap our heads around how brilliant ancient civilizations really were. We’ve always known the Babylonians were math and astronomy rockstars, but the more we uncover, the more it feels like we’ve underestimated them by a lot.
By Areeba Umairabout a month ago in History