Charles VI became king of France in 1380. He’s described as “a handsome, well-built, tall, and fair.”[1]When he came into his own as king, he got rid of his corrupt uncles, who were draining France’s coffers. He and his army were outnumbered 3 to 1 but won a key victory over the Flemish army.[2] The
Nomadic indian tribes called it “The mountain that moves.” They wouldn’t camp beneath its peak.[1] English speakers in Alberta, Canada called it Turtle Mountain. Its layers of limestone are deposited nearly vertical, which geologists classify as “the ultimate in mountain instability.”[2]A major thru
The year was 1788, the middle of the Austro-Turkish War. The Ottomans marched into the city of Karánsebes ready to fight. But when they arrived they found the Austrian forces already destroyed.Here’s what happened: After encamping to defend the city, the Austrian army sent out cavalrymen to scout ac
If you had to escape a fire, what would you go back to save? In 1666, tens of thousands of people had to make the decision during the Great Fire of London. Today happens to be the anniversary of the fire’s start. It raged from September 2nd till the 5th.[1] It started in the King’s baker’s shop. Som
For millennia, doctors could not get into a beating heart. They wished they could deliver medicine directly into it, wished they could open up blockages, and better diagnose trouble in this all-important organ, but there seemed to be no way in. Most were convinced it was too dangerous to go poking a
In 1698, Scotland was in bad shape. The Nine Years War had reached her shores. The country had the coldest decade in 750 years.[1] A man named William Paterson had a bold plan: Scotland should establish a colony on the Isthmus of Darien – what we now know as Panama. They would become the world’s gre
Every year in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, there is a race called the Barkley Marathon. It is widely known as the toughest in the world. It’s been dubbed “a satanic running adventure.”[1]It was started in 1986 by Gary Cantrell.[2] Everything about the Barkley Marathon is a trial. The applicati
For more than 25 years, Michael Cicconetti was judge for a relatively small Ohio county. But he regularly gained national attention. In 2005, he was elected president of the American Judges Association.[1] The media once said he had “the wit of Judge Judy and the wisdom of Solomon.”[2]It was his sen
From time to time we take a look at one of the 60 or so “one another” commands in Bible. They’re given to Christians so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the church and so we can be built up, others can be built up, and our church can thrive in the love of God.Today we have a tende
It’s back-to-school week for many families. Most high schoolers and college students will get to class and be handed a syllabus. A good syllabus gives a basic roadmap of what you’ll be covering in the next semester, important texts you’ll need to consult, and what’s expected of you.Mark 13 has those
In 1952, America was in the midst of significant political change. For the first time in 20 years, a Republican was elected president. Dwight D. Eisenhower won in a landslide. As he stepped into leadership, he faced dangerous enemies on multiple fronts. One front was a cold war as Ike would have to
Have you heard of The Giving Pledge? It’s an online commitment made by 256 of earth’s wealthiest families who publicly promise to give away at least 50% of their fortunes. Bill Gates, George Lucas, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and a bunch of other billionaires we’ve never heard of have signed. Warren
A pro sport draft ceremony is always quite an event. As the names are called, there’s celebration for some, disappointment for others. Especially during that first round of picks, eyes and ears are glued to the podium, waiting to hear who it is that is destined for fame and fortune.The 2007 NFL draf
In 1968, a young man moved with his family from Michigan to the Bay Area. Starting his senior year of high school and felt totally out of place. The first time he saw the San Francisco fog he was terrified. He was convinced it was poison gas rolling down the hills.[1]Things didn’t go very well his f
Steven Bradbury was the first Australian to ever win a Winter Olympic gold medal. In fact, he was the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to ever win winter gold.[1] How did he do it? By “just sitting in the back, waiting for things to happen.”[2] You see, Steven was a speed skater. But in 200
In 1260 AD, Iceland was ready for a king. For 300 years their society operated under a unique political system where chieftains agreed to a common code.[1] But in the 13th century, Iceland was in chaos amid internal disputes. And so, they agreed to come under the rule of Norway’s king.He promised to
Charles Jenkins was an army deserter. In 1965 he was stationed along the DMZ between North and South Korea. He was afraid of being killed by patrolling guards or, worse, being sent to combat in Vietnam. So, one night, he got drunk and walked through the mine-infested no man’s land.[1]He assumed he’d
On July 14, 1518, a woman walked out onto the cobbled street outside her home in Strasbourg and began dancing.[1] She danced until the dark of night, where she collapsed in exhaustion. The next morning she awoke and began dancing again. People came to watch the strange spectacle as she danced day af
One Friday night in 2013, the Union High Cougars of Roosevelt, Utah lost their football game. But they were about to lose a lot more. Their coach was waiting for them in the locker room. He let them know all 80 players from the varsity and junior varsity teams were cut. Right there and then they had
John Wheeler was a brilliant physicist. He helped establish the basic principles of nuclear fission. He was instrumental in the Manhattan Project and the development of the hydrogen bomb.[1] He coined the term “black hole.”[2] He was the mentor and advisor to 46 different PhD students at Princeton U
In the 1980s, IBM was not only the most valuable tech company, it was the most valuable company in the world.[1] It had 80% of the market and employed hundreds of thousands of people. But by 1993, Big Blue was dying. In the fourth quarter of that year – usually their strongest – they posted a $12 bi
They say there are no stupid questions. But there are some contenders. If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a noise? How does a thermos know whether to keep stuff hot or cold? Is cereal soup?Like 8% of American men, I’m colorblind. I always love when people who’ve never known a colorblind per
In the early 1800s, a man named William Jackson made himself a fortune in India. He returned to England, able to afford the good life among high society. Flush with cash, his teenage son, Will Jr. indulged in many vices. Indulgence turned to immorality. He didn’t look like a criminal – he wore elega
In the 4th century AD a man lost or buried a gold ring in a field in England. It was big enough that it had to be worn over a glove.[1] It lay for 1,400 years until it was found by a farmer plowing his field.[2]Perhaps the original owner was Senicianus. His name was carved into the side. In Latin it
