History

Refine Search

Who invented the chariot?

The Hittites, Mycenaeans, Hyksos and Aryans used the chariot to great effect in battle, moving soldiers swiftly around the field and giving them a platform from which to shoot arrows or hurl javelins. Over the course of the second millennium B.C., the chariot spread from its Middle Eastern origins, reaching places as far afield as China and Britain. Ancient people used the chariot for hunting, racing and parades when they were not using it for war. By the fourth century B.C., mounted cavalry had superseded the chariot as the mounted military unit of choice.

Continue Reading

Who was Abigail Williams of Salem?

In January 1692, Abigail and her cousin, Betty, started demonstrating strange behavior. Betty's father asked for help from John Hale, a nearby minister, who noted that they were "bitten and pinched by invisible agents." After their symptoms continued, Dr. William Griggs announced that the "Evil Hand" caused the problems.\nThe following month, the girls claimed Parris's slave Tituba, Sarah Osborne and Sarah Good were attacking them through their spirits. Abigail was present at their trials and continued to demonstrate her strange behavior. By the end of the Salem Witch trials, Abigail..

Continue Reading

What did the Huron Indians wear?

For dressing the lower parts of their bodies, Huron men typically wore breechcloths and leggings, the latter being similar to tightly fitting pants. Women wore wraparound skirts, and they sometimes wore poncho-style blouses or dresses fashioned from deerskin. Women traditionally kept their hair long, in a single braid. Men also wore their hair long, but they sometimes shaved the majority of their heads and coiffed their hair in the Mohawk style.\nFootwear, as with many other Native American peoples, usually consisted of moccasins that could be adorned with quill work, moosehair rosettes or oth..

Continue Reading

What were the accomplishments of Mansa Musa?

Adjusted for inflation, Mansa Musa's wealth may have made him the richest man in all of history, with a net worth of $400 billion in 2012 dollars. He was so wealthy than in the aftermath of his pilgrimage, when his extravagant gifts had devalued gold so substantially that it affected the economy of the known world, he personally borrowed as much gold as he could find from money lenders at extremely high interest rates to help the price recover. For the only time in recorded history, a single man controlled the price of gold throughout the Mediterranean.\nMansa Musa was responsible for the..

Continue Reading

What was the deficit during each president's term in office?

The Obama deficits ranged from $1.546 trillion in his first year, 2010, to $649 billion, which included funding for the Economic Stimulus Package, extending unemployment benefits and supplying tax cuts. The deficits under George W. Bush ranged from $158 billion in his first year, 2002, to $1.16 trillion in 2009; these debts included funding for the War on Terror in response to the 9/11 attacks and several tax cuts. Bill Clinton's ranged from a $22 billion deficit in 1997 to a $128 billion surplus in his last year, 2001. Bill Clinton's presidency was the last to accumulate a surplus i..

Continue Reading

Who founded France?

After the death of Frankish King Charlemagne, often considered the founder of Europe, the Holy Roman Empire was divided among his three sons, into three territories that roughly would become France, Germany and Italy. These territories were ruled by feudal lords. Capetian rulers of the area surrounding Paris called the region the île-de-France. After France's victory over England in the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), the Valois dynasty gained rule over areas once disputed by England. Modern France most resembles this territory, after Burgundy and Brittany were added.

Continue Reading

What was the role of engineers during World War II?

The combat engineers had a primary mission: to keep the army moving and to impede the enemy. With this in mind, they took on necessary work in any situation. They built bridges, sometimes in the dark to avoid drawing the attention of the enemy or under enemy fire at other times. To search for mines, they lay on their stomachs and delicately probed the ground with their bayonets. They engaged in combat and helped the tanks and artillery.\nSome of the engineers' acclaimed achievements during the war include constructing the Pentagon, which is the world's largest office building; the Al..

Continue Reading

What were the contributions of Christopher Columbus?

Columbus believed that reaching India and China would be more attainable if he found a way to get around the Muslim-dominated trade routes of the Middle East. He believed that sailing west across the Atlantic would be an easier way to reach Asia. Columbus lobbied the Spanish court until monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand funded his expedition in 1492. He eventually reached the Bahamas after sailing for 36 days, and he claimed the new territory for Spain. He continued his voyage and discovered Cuba and Hispaniola, otherwise known as Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Columbus believed he discovered..

Continue Reading

Why was John D. Rockefeller important?

John D. Rockefeller developed a mind for business in his early age, keeping his own financial records at age 16. He saved the money he made with his early employments, and his father gave him a loan which allowed him to invest in a partnership with a former classmate named Maurice B. Clark. They entered into the oil business with Samuel Andrews, who owned a refinery. They provided the knowledge of trade, while he worked with the refinery. The business grew and was eventually sold to Rockefeller, who kept Samuel Andrews as a partner.\nThe company eventually grew very successful, acquired new pa..

Continue Reading

Why are mobile phones important?

Mobile phones are becoming increasingly connected to the Internet, which allows people to do their shopping, communication and trip planning on the go. Mobile phones provide an instant connection to friends and family. In the modern, always-on society, it can be disorienting to not have an Internet connection, but a simple click on a phone access the Internet.\nCell phones aren't just important to society at large They can change the lives of individuals. Before mobile technology came along, someone stranded at the side of the road would have to hitchhike or walk to the nearest pay phone..

Continue Reading
Showing 5131 to 5140 of 8554 (856 Pages)