Leonardo da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, architect, cartographer, engineer, scientist and inventor in the 15th century. Yet, despite his genius, he referred to himself as “senza lettere” (the illiterate, the man without letters). For good reason: until late in life, he was unable to read, or write, Latin, the language used by virtually …
June 21 is always the 172nd day of the year, unless it’s a leap year in which it is the 173rd day of the year. This is on a Gregorian calendar, which leaves 193 days remaining until January 1st, where a new year begins. June 21 marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere …
Italy is one of the most interesting countries in all of Europe. The culture, language, climate and even the boot shape of the country are all things that draw people to Italy and its history. Within Italy, there are many cities that also attract people, including Rome and Venice. Venice, Italy is particularly engaging …
The future of the young United States looked bleak as the summer of 1814 entered its final weeks. The “Second War for American Independence,” often called the “War of 1812,” had taken a perilous turn for the upstart Americans. On August 19, British warships sailed up Chesapeake Bay and captured Washington D.C. in only …
From romantic visions of gladiators to the mysteries of the Da Vinci Code and the Roman Catholic Church, no city is more interesting than Rome. The Origins of Rome At the heart of the country of Italy is the city of Rome. From being the center of an empire to now being the seat …
The modern Olympics we see are often held up as a continuation of the first games. While the basic idea of sporting events is common to both, there is much that is different. The Olympic Games Were Not Always So Friendly The original Olympics were actually only one part of four games held during …
The feudal periods in Japan took place from the 12th through 19th centuries, and it marked an important period in the country’s history. The rule of Japan by regional families and clans, as well as by the shogun (war lords) created a different sort of culture marked by a decrease in the power of …
Rome has been synonymous with mythology since the birth of civilization. Few places around the world conjure such colorful legends. Since the dawn of time itself, Rome has appeared to have had a say in almost everything that has occurred. The Roman Empire had a huge influence on the course of European art and …
The month of January is a special month as: January 1, or January the first, is of course the first day of the calendar year. This is true in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. I’m referring to the standard calendar year, in which months are ordered: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, …
When the working day is over and you have spare time to sit in the living room in front of the TV with a cup of hot chocolate, we think about the events that happen during the day and the things that we didn’t manage to do. We may regret or file genuine happiness …