The Batavia

Though the shipwreck of the Batavia, a Dutch East India Company ship that ran aground on its maiden voyage in 1628, was fairly uneventful, the mutiny and massacre that took place among its survivors earned the Batavia a lasting place in history. While stranded on islands near the Western Australian coast, several mutineers persuaded their followers to kill 125 people as part of a plot to hijack the rescue ship they hoped would find them. What happened when the rescue party arrived? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Chinese man has gecko removed from ear canal – Channel3000.com – WISC-TV3

A Chinese man who was suffering from a severe headache ended up having a live gecko removed from his ear. The Huffington Post reports the man went to the hospital with severe pain and told doctors he could feel something moving inside of his ear. Upon … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Uruguay Declares Its Independence from Brazil (1825)

In 1811, José Gervasio Artigas, who would become Uruguay’s national hero, launched a successful revolution against the Spanish authorities who ruled a combined Uruguay and Argentina. Ten years later, the eastern province of Uruguay was annexed by Brazil, which was still under Portuguese rule. Brazil became independent from Portugal the following year, and in 1825, Uruguay declared independence from Brazil. Why is the country now called the Oriental Republic of Uruguay? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ivan the Terrible (1530)

Ivan IV was the first ruler of Russia to formally assume the title “czar.” His early reign saw modernization, expansion, and reform. However, after a near-fatal illness, a failed war against Sweden and Poland, and the death of a wife, Ivan’s mental state deteriorated. He withdrew to his personal territory, and his later reign was marked by extreme violence, repression, and tyranny. He rid himself of unwanted wives by forcing them into convents. Why did Ivan murder his son—and only heir—in 1581? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ars Goetia

Ars Goetia is the title of the first section of The Lesser Key of Solomon, an anonymous 17th-century book of magic that became one of the most popular texts of demonology. The Ars Goetia describes the 72 demons that King Solomon is said to have confined in a magic vessel and includes instructions on how to use magic rituals to call up the same demons to do the conjurer’s will. What famous British occultist published a revised version of the Ars Goetia? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Pete Rose Is Banned from Baseball (1989)

During his 24-year baseball career, Rose played in more games and got more hits than any player in history. Even so, the onetime Most Valuable Player could not avoid a lifetime ban from the sport after being accused of betting on baseball games—including those of his own team. In return for not having the charges formally proven, Rose accepted the banishment, which rendered him ineligible for induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame. However, he later spent five months in federal prison—for what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

St. Bartholomew’s Day

St. Bartholomew is the patron saint of beekeepers and honey-makers, and for this reason it was traditional in England for the honey crop to be gathered on August 24. Since the main ingredient in mead—an ancient alcoholic drink that is still made in some parts of England today—is honey, the Blessing of the Mead is also observed on St. Bartholomew’s Day. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary