famous

Peter the Great taxed people for growing beards

Modern Russia started with the rule of Peter the Great. He realized that Russia should be westernized to ensure its independence. Already […]

02/07/2010. Category: famous. Tags: kings, peter, tzar

Emperor Norton of the United States was born to John and Sarah Norton in London on February 14, 1819. His parents immigrated […]

02/06/2010. Category: famous. Tags: emperor, kings, norton

Caligula of Rome had his father, mother and two brothers killed to become emperor. Nero had his mother and first wife killed. […]

02/06/2010. Category: famous. Tags: kings

One of the greatest chefs is Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935). He started working in his uncle’s restaurant at age 14 and went on […]

02/06/2010. Category: famous. Tags: escoffier, melba, toast

Hamilton-Burr duel and the 10-dollar note The guy on the US ten-dollar bill is, of course, Alexander Hamilton and he was killed […]

02/06/2010. Category: famous. Tags: burr, dollar, duel, hamilton

There are a number of species of fish that are able to change their gender. Male fish often take care of the […]

01/20/2010. Category: famous. Tags: sex change, transgender

The US nickname Uncle Sam was derived from Uncle Sam Wilson, a meat packer in Troy, New York. According to Isaac Asimov’s […]

01/09/2010. Category: famous. Tags: flag, uncle sam

The making of the original Stars and Stripes, the flag of the United States, is often credited to Betsy Ross (1/1/1752-1/30/1836). It […]

Some of the most famous criminals in the world were known to be quite courteous. John Dillinger (1903-1934) being one – graciously […]