If you thought Marijuana was the first green, natural intoxicant banned for it's reported effects on the human mind, you would be wrong. Over a hundred years before marijuana was banned in 1937 in the U.S., Europe had an outbreak of it's own form of 'reefer madness'. It was a green, potent, alcoholic drink called 'Absinthe'. Like marijuana, absinthe was embraced by artists of all types and the banning of absinthe was based not on facts, but on fear, mistrust and the … [Read more...]
You Have Heard Of Columbus, But Have You Heard Of Zheng He?
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Years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, another country began an ambitious exploration of the world with a fleet of ships. It is an often overlooked part of history because this huge ocean expedition was not launched by a European country. It was launched by China, and it is still considered by many historians as one of the most impressive navel efforts ever undertaken. More, it is possible that this Chinese fleet may have visited the 'undiscovered' Americas before … [Read more...]
The Forgotten Voyages Of Zheng He
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Many have never heard of Zheng He, a man who sailed the ocean blue with a vast armada almost 100 years before Columbus sailed to find a new route to India. In the first part of this article, You Have Heard Of Columbus, But Have You Heard Of Zheng He? we explored the rise of Zheng He to power and his ambitious efforts to both explore the known world and expand China's influence in the world. It seemed the pressure within emperor Yongle's court to end China's opening to … [Read more...]
Christine de Pizan: The Original Feminist
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Although most people have not heard of Christine de Pizan, she remains a very important historical figure, as Europe’s first professional writer. When a sudden tragedy took the lives of her father and husband, she became a widow and single mother, and out of necessity, self-supporting. Christine was soon drawn to writing. This marked the start of Christine de Pizan’s career as a professional writer, providing her with not only more than enough money to … [Read more...]
Who Were The Puritans?
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The puritans were a division of protestants in the 16th and 17th century from England. One sect in particular was called the English Calvinists. These people were sometimes outcasts from the regular clergy that did not believe in the more progressive nature of the Church of England at the time. The term puritan should not be confused with the idea that these people were pure of heart or mind; however this is what they thought of themselves. Historically the word … [Read more...]
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