The post 3 Smaller Museums You Must Visit in the United Kingdom appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>The Radstock Museum
Situated just 10 miles from the city of Bath, which is itself just 10 miles from Bristol, this fascinating and quirky little museum tells the story of the Industrial Revolution in England’s rural areas. Somerset is a rural county, now home to plenty of agriculture and farming, but two hundred and fifty years ago, it was the center of England’s coal industry. The museum explores the links between coal and industrialization, and it doesn’t shy away from investigating the ongoing environmental effects of coal extraction in the region.
Cra’as Nest Museum
This museum is situated somewhere very special—on the island of Hoy in the Orkney Islands. It is a replica of an 18th-century croft (or cottage), so you can experience how the islanders would have worked and survived in the incredibly tough conditions on the island. Whille the croft and its contents are simple, everything is unbelievably well made and has withstood the harsh island conditions as well as the test of time.
The Museum of English Rural Life
Situated in the town of Reading, this fantastic little museum explores changes to English countryside life since 1750, through artifacts, inventive displays, and interactive exhibits. There are first-hand accounts documenting the changes brought by new machinery and technology, and plenty of photographs to study. Like most museums in the UK, entry is free but a donation is recommended to support the running of the museum.
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]]>The post 4 Myths People Still Believe About Christopher Columbus appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>Christopher Columbus Discovered America
This is one of the biggest myths tied to Christopher Columbus. Many people believe he was the first explorer to discover America, but historical evidence shows that the Vikings actually did that well before him. Also, he never actually touched the ground of North America.
Christopher Columbus Wanted to Prove Earth is Round
Christopher Columbus never set on his voyages to prove the Earth is round. Even in his time, this was a commonly accepted fact. What he wanted to do was to find a new sea route to India.
Christopher Columbus Was Italian
You’ll often find mentions of Christopher Columbus as an Italian. But this is actually quite wrong because Italy was only formed in the 19th century. Columbus was born in the Republic of Genoa, which was an independent republic for centuries before it became part of Italy.
Christopher Columbus Was a Successful Businessman
Christopher Columbus was a great explorer and navigator, but business wasn’t his strong side. He made quite a lot of management mistakes in setting up colonies, and his trade efforts never reached the levels he wanted. Still, he proved skillful in raising funds for his voyages.
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]]>The post Greatest Quarterbacks in NFL History appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>Peyton Manning
While the later stages of his career were rocked by injuries, Peyton Manning impressively overcame his fitness struggles to become an icon for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. A five-time NFL MVP, Manning threw 71,940 passing yards in his career, winning two Super Bowls in the process.
Drew Brees
Across seven seasons, Drew Brees led the NFL in passing yards. It was this consistency that led to Brees accumulating 80,358 passing yards throughout his career. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Brees completed 7,142 passes and 571 touchdown passes, thereby showcasing his surgical accuracy.
Tom Brady
With 89,214 passing yards, 7,753 completed passes, and 649 touchdown passes throughout his career, Tom Brady is the undisputed greatest quarterback of all time. A seven-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Super Bowl MVP, and three-time NFL MVP, Brady will forever be cherished in the hearts of New England Patriots fans.
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]]>The post Most Influential Inventions of Ancient Times appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>Concrete (Ancient Rome, 3rd Century BC)
Although not the first to use concrete, the Romans perfected its use for the construction of their empire’s enduring landmarks, such as the Pantheon and the aqueducts. Roman concrete was made from a mix of volcanic ash, lime, and seawater. This created a chemical reaction that produced a material resistant to cracking from heat and water.
(@meolafrancesco)The Wheel (Mesopotamia, Circa 3500 BC)
The invention of the wheel is perhaps one of the most pivotal technological advancements in human history. Originating in ancient Mesopotamia, the wheel initially transformed the process of pottery making but quickly became crucial to transportation and commerce.
Paper (China, 2nd Century BC)
While various forms of paper-like materials were used in different cultures, true paper was invented in China. Paper was made from mulberry and other bast fibers along with fishnets, old rags, and hemp waste. It was a cheaper, more practical alternative to silk and bamboo strips previously used for writing.
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]]>The post Here is Why Da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” is the World’s Most Controversial Painting appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>It is believed that “Salvator Mundi,” depicting Jesus Christ in a blue Renaissance dress while he holds a crystal orb in his left hand and makes a cross with his right hand, was created at some point between 1499 and 1504 as a result of a private commission. The painting was possibly mentioned in the estate of Leonardo’s pupil Salaì in 1525, after which it was considered lost or even destroyed. Around 30 copies made by Leonardo’s pupils and showing the same subject surfaced in the meantime.
The “Salvator Mundi” sold at Christie’s auction was thought to be one of the copies and was sold as such at an auction in 1958, being attributed to Leonardo’s pupil Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio. The painting was in bad shape due to overpainting and poor restoration efforts, while its frame was infested by worms.
Art dealers Alexander Parish and Robert Simon acquired the painting for just over $1,000 in 2005 and, after further inspection, concluded it might be, in fact, the original painting created by Leonardo. They hired famous restoration specialist Dianne Dwyer Modestini to restore the painting. After a successful restoration process, the painting was displayed in the National Gallery in London, UK, as a work by Leonardo after authentication by the museum’s expert.
Through her restoration efforts, Modestini was convinced that the painting was created by none other than Leonardo based on the comparison of the technique used in “Mona Lisa.” Martin Kemp, considered one of the leading Leonardo experts in the world, also attributed the work to the famous painter, as did Vincent Delieuvin, the chief curator of paintings at the Louvre, and Myriam Eveno and Elisabeth Ravaud from the Louvre’s laboratory C2RMF.
However, a lot of Renaissance art experts and some Leonardo specialists, including art historian Jacques Franck, who had an opportunity to examine “Mona Lisa” out of its frame multiple times, believe that “Salvator Mundi” is the work of Leonardo’s studio with the partial contribution by the Old Master itself. The opinions vary, with some claiming that Leonardo did certain passages and others saying he only did slight retouching. There are some art historians and experts who reject the idea of contributing the painting to Leonardo entirely.
At the moment, “Salvator Mundi” remains a controversial painting for its lack of provenance and opposing opinions on Leonardo’s participation in its making. It is unlikely this will change anytime soon or ever.
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]]>The post 3 Facts About the American Revolutionary War You Didn’t Learn in School appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>Invisible Ink Was Used for Important Messages
In order to safely communicate, especially in regard to important messages, the Colonial Army used invisible ink developed by Founding Father John Jay’s brother James. The ink was only visible after the paper was covered with revealing chemicals or exposed to heat.
Many Americans Changed Allegiance on a Regular Basis
Common folks didn’t overwhelmingly support the American Revolutionary War. It is believed that the support to the Colonial Army was below 50% in the United Colonies, while many Americans changed allegiance on a regular basis, siding with the side that was winning at that particular moment.
British Surrender During the Siege of Yorktown Was Rejected Twice
After realizing they were defeated during the Siege of Yorktown, British troops led by Brigadier General Charles O’Hara decided to surrender. However, during the surrender ceremony, their surrender was rejected twice. O’Hara first offered his sword to French general Rochambeau, who rejected the act and pointed to George Washington. O’Hara then approached Washington but was also rejected. It was only after O’Hara offered his sword to Major General Benjamin Lincoln that the surrender was accepted. The Siege of Yorktown is considered the last significant battle of the American Revolutionary War. After that, the British government decided to start negotiating to end the conflict.
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]]>The post Showstopping Facts About Michael Jackson appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>Completing the Puzzle
Before his own career began, Jackson’s four older brothers decided to start a band, simply calling themselves the Jackson Brothers. At six years old, he was playing the congas and tambourine in their backup band. Once Jackson proved to his family how well he could sing, he joined the group, which then rebranded as The Jackson 5.
Tough Start
Upon deciding to pursue a solo career, things initially didn’t all go according to plan for Jackson. Aside from music, he also tried to launch a film career, being cast as the scarecrow in the film The Wiz. Sadly, the movie flopped, meaning that Jackson wouldn’t enjoy the breakthrough he had hoped for.
On The Ropes
While the world celebrated the release of Jackson’s “Thriller” music video, not everyone was charmed. A staunch Jehova’s Witness, Jackson would soon be threatened by the church, which claimed that the video promoted demonology. Desperate for the church not to cast him out, Jackson reached an agreement with them—he added a disclaimer to the video to say that it did not represent his beliefs. The rest, as they say, is history.
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]]>The post 100-Year-Old Train Carriage From London North Eastern Railway Was Discovered in Antwerp, Belgium appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>The discovery is particularly interesting because the train carriage is part of the first fleet of LNER’s “removals”. These carriages, painted in burgundy and featuring yellow inscriptions, were used in the 1930s to transport the belongings of people moving from one house to another. Just a handful of these carriages remain in existence, as they were in service for only a few years before being replaced with blue wagons.
Additionally, it is a mystery how the carriage ended up making its way from Great Britain to Antwerp.
“The wooden removal truck is thought to be around one hundred years old. It’s a mystery as to how the carriage came to be in Antwerp, and unfortunately there’s very little left of the relic as it disintegrated while being excavated,” said Femke Martens, one of the archeologists working on the excavation.
London North Eastern Railway was one of the “Big Four” train companies created by the British government as part of the Railways Act 1921. The move intended to group the existing 120 railway companies into larger companies in order to put an end to internal competition and make them profitable. London North Eastern Railway was nationalized in 1948 and operated under various names before reverting to its original name in 2018.
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]]>The post Top 3 Most Valuable U.S. Coins of All Time appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>1822 Capped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle
There are only three 1822 Capped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle specimens known to be in existence despite 17,796 coins being minted. Two are being held by the Smithsonian Institution, while only one is held in private hands. If the privately-owned 1822 Capped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle even hits the market, it is estimated it would fetch a price of more than $10 million.
1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is highly sought-after among collectors because it is the first dollar coin issued by the U.S. federal government. It is estimated that only between 120 and 150 of these coins remain in existence. One of these coins, featuring a silver plug and believed to have been the first coin to come out from the press, was sold at an auction in 2013 for $10 million.
1933 Double Eagle
This is arguably the most valuable coin of all time. Around 445,500 specimens of 1933 Double Eagle coins, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and with a denomination of $20, were minted, but they never went into circulation. Instead, they were melted down, with two being kept for the U.S. National Numismatic Collection. However, it was later discovered that an additional 20 specimens of the 1933 Double Eagle coin were somehow stolen and made their way to collectors. Nine of those coins were recovered and destroyed, and 10 are held at the United States Bullion Depository because it is illegal to privately own them. The remaining coin was sold to collector Stuart Weitzman in the early 2000s before being re-sold in 2021 for $18.9 million.
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]]>The post Was Walt Disney Actually Frozen After His Death? appeared first on History Chronicle.
]]>Disney died in 1966 after battling with lung cancer. According to the story, his body was frozen and stored at a secret location with the intention of bringing him back to life once the science progresses to a point where reanimation is possible. One report claimed he saw his frozen body in person while several former Disney employees would come out with accounts that confirmed the story in later years.
The myth was further supported by the fact that Disney was interested in scientific advancements and that his funeral was shrouded in secrecy. Later on, several versions of the myth would surface. One version claims that only Walt Disney’s head was frozen and stored under the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland.
As you might assume, there is no evidence that any version of the myth is true. Additionally, his daughter Diane wrote in a 1972 autobiography that her father probably never even heard about cryonics and confirmed he was cremated and his ashes interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
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