Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More

Area 51 is a place where secrecy became legend and speculation turned into modern mythology.  Tucked away in the Nevada desert, it has been the alleged site for alien autopsies, hidden spacecraft, and technologies decades ahead of their time, all while the US government insisted it barely existed at all. The reality is far less dramatic or conspiratorial.  Learn about the creation, secrecy, and th...

In 1908, a two-year-old boy named Puyi was installed as the 11th Emperor of the Qing Dynasty in China. His life would prove to be radically different from that of any other Chinese emperor who came before him. He would see the end of Imperial China, become a puppet ruler for those who wished legitimacy, wind up in prison, and finally live out his final days as a commoner.  His personal story can b...

In the dark skies over the Eastern Front of World War II, the Soviet Union deployed one of the most unusual and effective combat units of the war: the Night Witches.  Officially the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, this unit flew outdated, fragile biplanes on nighttime harassment missions against German forces, cutting their engines to glide silently toward their targets before dropping bombs.  More n...

Approximately 55 times a day, or 20,000 times a year, an earthquake occurs somewhere on Earth.   Of those, the vast majority go unnoticed and cause no damage whatsoever. Nonetheless, earthquakes are commonly considered among the most feared natural disasters due to their sudden, unpredictable nature and their potential to unleash incredible devastation.  Learn about earthquakes, how they are measu...

When you think of countries in Africa, it is unlikely that Gabon will be one of the first to cross your mind.  It is entirely possible that some of you might never ever heard of Gabon.  Considered “Earth’s last Eden,” Gabon is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, yet very little is known about it because not much has ever happened there to make it into the news. In fact, one of the b...

Modern fairy tales often conclude with a protagonist achieving their dreams and a simple "happily ever after."  This popular image, often promoted by studios like Disney for family-friendly consumption, only scratches the surface of these classic narratives.  In reality, many of these beloved stories boast far darker origins, featuring unsettling themes and grim endings that would be entirely unsu...

Alphonse Gabriel Capone, aka Al Capone, aka Scarface, is one of the most notorious gangsters in American history.  Known for dominating Chicago’s underworld during prohibition, his criminal operation had a reach that extended throughout the United States. Capone cultivated a celebrity image while participating in violent criminal activity. Despite his wealth and fame, in the end, he died in prison...

One of the most significant and long-lasting outcomes of World War I didn’t take place in Europe. It was a reshuffling of the political order in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant.  During the war, various Arab tribes joined together to free themselves from centuries of Ottoman Rule.  The legacy of the rebellion can still be seen in the map of the Middle East today.  Learn more about the Great A...

In 1943, one of the most notable acts of Jewish resistance during World War II took place. For nearly one month, residents of the Warsaw Ghetto fought against Nazi soldiers who were attempting to transport the residents to concentration camps.  The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the largest single Jewish Revolt during the war, was well-organized, hard-fought, and a symbol of Jewish resilience.  Learn abo...

Prague is one of the truly great cities of Central Europe.  Prague is noted for its preserved medieval and Baroque architecture, the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Astronomical Clock, and its Gothic Old Town. In addition, it has one of the world’s greatest beer and brewing cultures. They also happen to like to throw people out of windows.  Learn more about the defenestrations of Prague, why th...

January is upon us, the month that honors the Roman god Janus, the god of two faces.  One face looked forward, and the other looked back. Janus was the god of beginning and ending wars. He was also the god of doors and bridges.…and while I have absolutely no proof of this whatsoever, I also think that his two faces would have provided both questions and answers.  Stay tuned for Questions and Answe...

From 1899 to 1900, China underwent a widespread and violent uprising. The revolt, a reaction against China’s exploitation by foreign powers, was decades in the making. In response to the revolt, a group of eight nations joined together to put down the rebellion and ultimately subjected China to yet another humiliating treaty. The rebellion wasn’t successful, but it laid the groundwork for the seis...

You may have heard of many of the largest empires in world history. The Romans, the Mongols, the British, the Persians, the Ottomans, the Incas, and the Byzantines. That last empire, however, the Byzantines, never actually existed. How can one of the world’s greatest empires not have existed? Learn more about the Byzantine Empire and why no one ever called it that during its existence on this epis...

In 1890, an obscure professor at the US Naval War College published a book that at first seemed fairly innocuous. However, it turned out his book found an audience. An extremely powerful audience.  Its success led to further research, which in turn ushered in a revolution in naval warfare, which influenced the world’s great powers for over a century. Learn more about the Mahan Doctrine and how it...

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The year 2000 was a milestone year. It was the end of a century and of a millennium.  It was one of the rare years that was divisible by 100 and was a leap year. In the previous 25 years, the world had radically changed. Empires fell, superpowers emerged, and technology had changed civilization.  …and that year, a whole lot of people thought the world would end due to a computer bug.  Learn more a...

In the winter of 1776, things did not look good for the Continental Army.  Everything got off to a great start in 1775, but this year saw a series of defeats at the hands of the British.  Things were looking so bad that many Americans thought that the revolution was effectually over.  If Washington was to keep the revolution going, he needed a miracle.  He needed a Christmas miracle.  Learn about...

Perhaps the preeminent symbol of Christmas is the Christmas tree.  Christmas trees aren’t just a symbol of Christmas; the act of setting up a tree is an event, and the adornment of a tree often uses ornaments that have been passed down for generations. But why is cutting down an evergreen tree and draping it with doodads a Christmas tradition? Learn more about the history of Christmas trees and ho...

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known theories in psychology.  First introduced in 1943, the theory posits that people have an innate desire to reach their maximum potential, but to achieve this goal, they must first have their basic needs met.  These needs can be both physical and psychological, but they play a major role in understanding people’s motivations.  Learn more a...

On January 13, 1888, a group of thirty-three prominent citizens, including geographers, explorers, teachers, lawyers, cartographers, military officers, and financiers, gathered at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC, to establish "a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge." At first, the organization was more of a scholarly endeavor, but over time, it became one of the most...

The mid-19th century saw the rise of the first mass working-class political movement in British history. Despite being a working-class movement, they sought reforms in the British political system, not necessarily economic.  Their grievances were set out in six points, known as The People's Charter, which was signed by millions of people. While their demands at the time were considered radical, th...

Sometime around 5,500 years ago, an event took place on the Eurasian steppes that fundamentally changed the world.  We don’t know who did it or exactly when it took place, but it was one of the single greatest moments in all of human history.  It ushered in revolutions in agriculture, transportation, and warfare, and its impact can still be witnessed around the world today. Learn more about the do...

Located around the orbit of Jupiter is the moon Europa.  It is the smallest of the Gallelian moons and the second closest to Jupiter.  Despite being a moon, Europa might just be the most interesting body in the Solar System outside of Earth.  According to some, Europa might be the best place in our solar system outside of Earth to find life. Learn more about Europa, what we know about it, and the...

In 1994, the nation of Rwanda endured a brutal 100-day spasm of violence that tore families apart and claimed the lives of over one million people. Members of the ethnic minority Tutsi group were hunted down and murdered by members of the larger Hutu group. While this was the worst episode of violence between the two groups, it was not the first. What added to the tragedy was that while the horrif...

For thousands of years, diamonds have been among the most valuable substances on Earth.  Diamonds are not only the hardest substances known, but they are also incredibly hard to find.  However, in the last several decades, researchers have discovered ways to make diamonds in the lab, and they are now being made at scale. It has the potential to revolutionize multiple industries. Learn more about s...