World History
What Did Medieval Knights Actually Do?
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Article
Medieval knights, those armed and armored men (or in some rare cases, women) on horseback, thrived throughout Europe in the days before kings depended on standing armies to enforce their sovereignty. Renowned for their martial prowess and romanticized for their adherence to the moral code of chivalry, these warriors have been celebrated in fiction and the public imagination since the days when they were still an active fighting force. And yet, like the modern-day movie star or professional athlete, these extolled individuals lived a life that was less glamorous than perception would have us believe. ...Read More
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World HistoryArticle0Why Do We Knock on Wood?
If you’ve ever said something like, “The car has been working perfectly all year — knock on wood,” and then rapped your knuckles on the nearest wooden surface, you’re in…
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World HistoryArticle0The Curious History of the Piggy Bank
If you’ve ever dropped spare change into a rotund, smiling, ceramic pig, you may have wondered: Why a pig? The idea of putting coins inside a chubby farm animal may…
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World HistoryArticle2What Did Medieval Knights Actually Do?
Medieval knights, those armed and armored men (or in some rare cases, women) on horseback, thrived throughout Europe in the days before kings depended on standing armies to enforce their…
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World HistoryFact2Birthdays weren’t always celebrated because few people even knew their birth date.
Birthdays are often a big deal in the modern world, marking milestones such as being old enough to drive or vote, or acknowledging the start of a new decade of…
