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5 Surprising facts about 4th of July

As Americans adorn their lawns with flags and light up the sky with fireworks, the 4th of July stands as a significant date in U.S. history, marking the nation's independence from British rule in 1776.

​The Burning of Washington DC: Britain’s Fiery Raid of 1814

British torches lit the night sky on August 24, 1814, as Washington DC burned. Enemy soldiers marched through the abandoned streets of America's young capital, setting fire to the symbols of the nation's government. This brazen attack during the War of 1812 remains the only time a foreign power has captured and burned the U.S. capital.

Urdubegis: The Female Warriors of the Mughal Harem

In the annals of history, the Mughal Empire stands as a testament to grandeur, opulence, and power. Amidst the tales of mighty emperors and their conquests lies a lesser-known story of a unique group of women who played a crucial role in the empire's security: the Urdubegis, the female warriors of the harem.

The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381: England’s First Mass Uprising

In the summer of 1381, England erupted in rebellion. Thousands of angry peasants and townspeople marched on London, wielding farm tools and bows, demanding an end to oppressive taxes and the centuries-old system of serfdom. This dramatic uprising, known as the Peasants' Revolt or Wat Tyler's Rebellion, shook medieval England to its core and challenged the very foundations of feudal society.

The Battle of the Eclipse: When the Sun Stopped a War in 585 BCE

Imagine two ancient armies locked in fierce combat when suddenly the sky darkens. Day transforms into night, stars appear at noon, and terrified soldiers drop their weapons. This extraordinary scene unfolded on May 28, 585 BCE, when a total solar eclipse interrupted the Battle of Halys between the Median and Lydian empires. The cosmic intervention ended a five-year war and created one of history's most dramatic peace treaties.
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Pistachios can Spontaneously Combust

You know what they say about too much of a good thing, right? Well, it turns out that our beloved pistachios, those deliciously crunchy and nutritious green treats, come with a secret that would make any pyromaniac's eyes light up: in the right conditions, they can spontaneously burst into flames!

The Surprising History of Toothpaste in Ancient Egypt

When you squeeze minty fresh toothpaste onto your brush each morning, you’re participating in a ritual with ancient roots. Long before the first tube of Crest rolled off assembly lines, ancient Egyptians were concocting their own tooth-cleaning pastes. They valued oral hygiene and invented some of the first breath mints, toothpicks and toothpaste recipes.

Pope Francis (1936-2025): From Nightclub Bouncer to Beloved Pontiff

Pope Francis (1936-2025) — who surprised the world long before his papacy by checking IDs as a Buenos Aires bouncer — died on 21 April 2025. As tributes pour in from around the globe, the story of his unlikely job reveals how these humble beginnings shaped the beloved pontiff who led over 1 billion Catholics worldwide.

How Shakespeare invented the Knock-Knock joke

If you've ever told a knock-knock joke or groaned at a corny one, you can thank William Shakespeare for this timeless and beloved form of humor. The Bard is renowned for pioneering over 1,700 words and phrases in the English language through his celebrated plays and sonnets. But he also may have invented one of the world's simplest — yet most entertaining — comedic setups: the knock-knock joke.

The Most Expensive Object Built by Humans

At $410 million, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides holds the record for the most expensive movie ever made. But that lofty price tag is pocket change compared to the over $100 billion spent on constructing the International Space Station (ISS)—the most expensive object ever built by humans.

No Human Has Beat a Computer in Chess Since 2005

In 1997, the chess world experienced a historic sea change. World champion Garry Kasparov resigned in defeat against IBM's Deep Blue supercomputer. For the first time, a machine had officially defeated a top human player under tournament conditions. Since then, computers have only extended their supremacy at the royal game. No human has managed to beat a computer opponent in a major chess match since 2005.

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