Bible Translations

The Christian Bible was first allowed to be translated in 1759, by Pope Clement XIII. Born Carlo della Torre di Rezzonico, he was the Pope for a grand total of ten years, reigning from July 1758 to February 1769.

During his rule, Clement championed dialogue with Protestants, hoping to mend the schism between the Catholic Church and England. Sadly, this did not bear fruit, and problems escalated after his death. He also attempted to mend relations with the Jesuits, which his successor, Pope Clement XIV, issued an abolishing order in 1773.

Did you know that Pistachios are known in Iran as the ‘smiling nut’, and the ‘happy nut’ in China? Not only that, but humans have been eating pistachios for at least 9,000 years!

Legal Tender

This is a form of money that courts of law are required to recognise as satisfactory payment for any monetary debt. The term has no use in everyday life, and simply means that if someone offers to fully pay off a debt in legal tender, they can’t be sued for failing to pay.

The Legal Tender Act of 1862 was passed by the American Congress to authorise the printing of $150 million in Treasury notes. These notes were called ‘greenbacks’ due to only being printed on one side with green ink.

The main reason for the Act was to allow the government to finance the Civil War, and end the long-standing policy of only using gold or silver in transactions.

Geoffrey of Monmouth

Probably most well-known for his writings regarding the King Arthur legends, was a Welsh cleric. Born sometime between 1090 and 1100 in Wales, Geoffrey was first recorded in 1129 when he witnessed a charter. It is worth noting that each charter signed by Geoffrey was also signed by Walter, the Archdeacon of Oxford.

Another piece of interest, is that Geoffrey was known to his contemporaries as Galfridus Arturus (or variants of this). ‘Arthur’ was thought to have been his father, or possibly a reference to his scholarly interests.

Cato Street Conspiracy

British history is full of murder plots, late-night scheming, and elaborate explosions (just look at Guy Fawkes!). One such plot, known as the Cato Street Conspiracy of 1820, in which the ‘Spencean Philanthropists’ attempted to murder all the British cabinet ministers and the PM, Lord Liverpool.

Due to the civil unrest at the time, it is unknown how wide-spread the conspiracy was, and if they managed to catch all the plotters. Of those caught, five were executed, five were transported to Australia, and two had charges dropped in exchange of testifying against their co-conspirators. During the arrest, however, a policeman was killed. This, most likely, had an impact on the final sentencing.

The group took their name from Thomas Spence, one of the leading revolutionaries of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, who was involved in stirring up civil unrest and propaganda against the government.

Shrove Tuesday

Also known as Shrovetide, is the last day of the Christian liturgical season.

In French, this day is known as ‘Mardi Gras’, meaning, Fat Tuesday, which refers to the tradition of having a feast before Lent. Hence, Pancake Tuesday, as the eggs, milk, butter and sugar are used up.

First US Coal-Burning Locomotive

On the 19th of February, 1831, the first practical US coal-burning locomotive made it’s trial run in Pennsylvania. Owned by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, the engine was in use for well over 60 years, and currently is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. 

At the request of the Philadelphia Museum, Baldwin built a miniature version of the engine for their exhibition.

Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales (or Tywysog Cymru) is a title traditionally given to the English heir apparent. Although, before Edward I’s conquest of Wales in 1282, it was used by the Welsh rulers, with Owain Gwynedd cited as having established the title.

After the conquest of Wales, the title became a substantive title, one acquired either by individual grant or inheritance. It is, however, worth noting that this title is not automatically acquired.

Random Acts of Kindness Day was first created back in 1995 by a small non-profit organisation based in Denver, Colorado. The idea behind the holiday is to make the world a better place, one Act at a time.

The Franciscans

Did you know the almond tree was brought to California from Spain by Franciscan padres, in the mid 1700s?

The Franciscans were a group of related Christian orders, primarily within the Catholic Church, founded in 1209 by Francis of Assisi. He created three different orders; The Order of Friars Minor (for men), the Order of Saint Clare (for women), and the Third Order of Saint Francis (open to male and female members).

Friars, while similar to monks, live and work among the regular people in society, as opposed to a secluded monastery, and the friars would often travel round towns. The word itself comes from 13th century Old French ‘frere’, meaning brother.

The Treaty of Hubertusburg

Together with the Treaty of Paris, the Treaty of Hubertusburg marked the end of the Seven Year’s War.

The Seven Year’s War started in 1756, with Austria attempting to regain the province of Silesia (which had been lost to Prussia in 1748). To achieve this, Austria gained the support of Russia, Sweden, Saxony, Spain and France. However, it was King Frederick II of Prussia who initiated hostilities, when he attacked and captured Saxony.

Since then, the phrase ‘Hubertsburg Peace’ is used to describe a treaty that restores the situation existing before conflict broke out, as the Hubertusburg Treaty restored everything back to 1756.

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine, was originally a Christian feast day of remembrance for Saint Valentine of Rome, who was imprisoned for ministering to persecuted Christians in third century Rome. According to tradition (that lovely word again), he restored sight to his jailor’s blind daughter, and is said to have written her a letter signed ‘Your Valentine’ before his execution, while another tradition has it that he presided over weddings of Christian soldiers who had been forbidden to marry.

It wasn’t until the 14th century, however, that Valentine’s Day started to be associated with romance, which continued to grow until 18th century England, when it became the day for couples to express love for each other in the form of presenting flowers, greeting cards, and chocolates (known as valentines).

In Italy, ‘Valentine’s Keys’ were exchanged as a romantic symbol. They were also given to children, to ward off epilepsy (which was called Saint Valentine’s Malady).

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the most adaptable to change, that lives within the means available and works cooperatively against common threats - Charles Darwin

Umbrellas

The first recorded use of an umbrella is over 3500 years ago, in Ancient Egypt. What started out as simple configurations of palm leaves attached to a stick to provide mobile protection from the sun, evolved into an object used by nobles, religious leaders and royalty as a Status Symbol. Several hieroglyphs have been found depicting these, and making use of the parasol to show which are the higher rank, kind of like saints with their halos in more modern pictures and stained-glass windows.

The parasol didn’t become waterproof until 11th century BC China, when they started using silk. To continue to showcase power, they added more tiers, with the Chinese Emperor having four, very elaborate, tiers.

Eventually, the umbrella made it’s way to Greece and Rome, where it was viewed as a luxurious female accessory. These umbrellas, however, could open and close, and were often varied by slaves and servants.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, umbrellas wouldn’t be seen again in Europe until the late 16th century.

Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots, also known as Mary Stuart, as the only surviving legitimate child of James V of Scotland, ascended the throne at the tender age of six … days old, that is. She reigned until 1567, when she was forced to abdicate. Due to her young age, Scotland was governed by regents. At first, the heir to the throne, the great-grandson of King James II (James Hamilton, Earl of Arran); and then later by Mary’s mother, Mary of Guise.

When she was six years old, Mary was betrothed to Francis, Dauphin of France, and sent to join him to keep her safe from the invading English forces during the Rough Wooing (also known as the Eight Years’ War).

After a fairly hectic life, involving three husbands, being forced to abdicate in favour of her one-year-old son (James), and religious unrest, she was eventually executed in 1587.

The Nihon Nijuroko Seijin

Otherwise known as the 26 Martyrs of Japan - were executed in 1597 by crucifixion on the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

This was after the San Felipe incident of 1596, where the Spanish ship was shipwrecked in Urado on the Japanese island of Shikoku.

World Cancer Day

An International day marked each year on the 4th of February. It’s purpose is to raise awareness of cancer, and to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. It also attempts to target misinformation about cancer, and it’s attached stigmas.

The movement started in 2000, at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium, in Paris.

Each year, more than 900 activities take place in over 100 countries, and, in recent years, cities have begun showing support by lighting important landmarks in orange and blue. In 2019, 55 landmarks throughout 37 cities participated.

Groundhog Day

This is a popular North American tradition, which derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) comes out of its burrow and sees its shadow, it will return to its den and Winter will continue for another six weeks. If it doesn’t see its shadow, Spring will come early.

Studies have since proven that there is no association between the groundhog and Spring’s arrival, although the tradition still remains popular throughout the US. There’s even a ceremony held at Punxsutawney, western Pennsylvania.

The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the immigrants from German-speaking areas, where they had a celebration called ‘Badger Day’, or Dachstag, on Candlemas, which was much the same as Groundhog Day, but involved the local Badger, and instead of six, it was four weeks more of Winter.

Chocolate - a food usually associated with sweets and cheating on diets.

But, what if I told you that Dark Chocolate had health benefits?

Made from the Cacao Tree’s seed, dark chocolate (without any sweeteners added) is absolutely loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. There are even studies that show how this chocolate can lower the risk of heart disease!

As a general rule, it appears that the darker (or higher cocoa content) the chocolate, the more nutritious it is. For example, if we take a 100g bar containing 85% cocoa, we get:

• 11g of fibre

• 66% recommended DV for Iron

• 57% recommended DV for Magnesium

• 196% recommended DV for Copper

• 85% recommended DV for Manganese

• Along with Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc and Selenium.

It’s a wonder more people aren’t eating dark chocolate! Added to this, dark chocolate has a higher amount of antioxidants that most other foods. So, why not look after your body, and treat yourself to some nice, dark chocolate?