El Nino originally referred to the annual warm current off western Peru. It was named after the Christmas child El Nino de Navidad because the phenomenon began in late December.
El Nino now usually refers to the more severe weather conditions that occur every three to seven years when the ocean currents off South America [more…]
Jesse Owens was part of the US team, which competed in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Adolf Hitler refused to recognise Owens’ outstanding achievements because he was black.
Born in Danville, Alabama, James Cleveland Owens became known as one of the greatest athletes of all times.
He excelled at track sports at high school. In [more…]
Whereas many children find it hard to identify their own national flag, the majority would be able to pick out the flag flown by pirates, as well as knowing its name – the Jolly Roger.
Characters like Blackbeard, Long John Silver and Captain Hook have, over the years, brought the pirate trade of yesteryear to [more…]
This American criminologist and government officials career began in 1916 when he began work in the Justice Department in the War Emergency Division. He became the first director of the FBI.
John Edgar was born in 1935 in Washington DC. He studied law at George Washington University. In 1917 he joined the United States Department of Justice [more…]
Although Ned Kelly is one of Australias most notorious bushrangers, very few people know more than the fact that he and his gang wore metal armour over their heads and bodies.
Ned Kelly was born at Beveridge, Victoria in December 1854 to an Irish couple, John and Ellen Kelly. At the age of twelve, Neds [more…]
Nell is famously remembered as the courtesan of Charles II, who was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1660-1685.
Nell Gwyn (also spelt Gwynne or Gwynn) is said to have started her life as a flower seller in Drury Lane (much like Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady). She went on to be a [more…]
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus lived from AD 37-68. He was the fifth emperor of Rome and the last of the Julio-Claudian line.
Nero became emperor at the age of 17 and initially very popular, he eased his way in, gaining a reputation for moderation in his dealings. However this all changed and in 59 [more…]
The Pyramids are one of the greatest wonders of the world and have been the topic of many questions and debates. Probably the biggest question is how these awesome architectural feats were constructed, especially since they date back to 3200 BC.
Although earlier estimates were much larger, modern Egyptologists believe that the labour force that [more…]
Known as the Mad Monk, Grigori Rasputin had great influence in the Russian Court. His actions added to the rising discontent that led to the Russian Revolution.
From a poor, rural background, Rasputin came to prominence when as a monk and mystic, he was brought into the Russian royal house to alleviate the suffering of [more…]
