Community Chat

[Oznell]

Do you have certain historical eras, people or events which fascinate you more than others?  I have ones that I'm interested in, year after year:

Will not post links, and am pretty sure none of these will turn out to be controversial, ha.

MEDIEVAL PERIOD--   Of course, castles, especially ruins, have enduring appeal. Can't read enough about them.  Knights, ladys, friars, Camelot legend, Robin Hood tradition:  love them.

LIFE AND CAREERS OF:  Winston Churchill, Elizabeth I, Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightengale, George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans),

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD: This was the mysterious system of "safe houses" throughout the North and on up to Canada, that American slaves could use (at great risk) to finally reach freedom.  Traveling by night, following rivers, staying hidden during the day in attics, closets, barns, etc. of allied citizens who supported their cause.

PERIOD OF THE HUGUENOT DIASPORA (DISPERSION) ACROSS THE GLOBE:  French Protestant reformers, increasingly persecuted at home from about the 1500's on, fled to many countries including, England, Ireland, Holland, America, etc. and made their mark in each culture. They often dominated the communities they came to, with their high level of craftsmanship and entrepreneurial skills.  Huguenots even have their own cross symbol, which they used to identify other Huguenots, with fleur de lys, and a tiny dove suspended from the cross..

FLOWERNG OF AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC COMPOSTION EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY:   Suddenly, brilliant song composers all "appeared"--  Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hart, then Rodgers and Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Lerner and Loewe, Johnny Mercer, etc etc.   Best songs in the world!

There are more, but this is already too wordy.  Do you have any historical "pet periods or people'?

[Azcowgirl]

I've always been interested in everything about the Titanic.

[RoughDraft]

There is an ancient Chinese curse:  "May you live in interesting times."  I think I'm there.

[Oznell]

Oh, yes, Azcowgirl, the whole "doomed ship" narrative is so fascinating.  That story has everything....  and it is still even today yeilding great new information....

Speaking of icebergs, I forgot to mention another of my favorites is the whole history of exploration and temporary human selttlement on Antarctica--  the scientific research stations that have come and gone, and how people have adapted their lives to that environment...

[Lapdog]

 There is a home 10 doors from me that was used for the Underground Railroad.  I have been in it.

Through my family member I have learned a lot and enjoy the Big Band Era especially Glenn Miller and the Alamos history. 

Visited there during an anniversary. 

I am definitely  touched by all the history and the sacrifices made during all these events/times.  Especially so close to home.

[jeanlake]

Stories from underground railroad

Music of the 60s 

WW2 era and Churchill

history of Hawaiian Islands

[Free2be]

I enjoy learning about certain historical periods and peoples.  Royal families from earliest times, religious history to present times, Roman, Greek and Egyptian history and all the lands nearby affected by the greater powers.  Language fascinates me, the words people choose, how language has developed.  Steven Pinker is fascinating and not on TV often enough.  I love listening to smart people like him, like astro physiscts and those mapping the brain because they force my own feeble brain to stretch as far as it can. 

This is an interesting thread!

[tansy]

King Henry VIII and his unfortunate wives.

Pioneer women.

The sixties and seventies.

[sunshine45]

i am completely fascinated by the prohibition period.

i also love hearing about and reading about the struggles and advancements of the middle east.

i have also been enjoying the mini-series on cnn.....the sixties, the seventies, the eighties.....and now they are working on the nineties. if you have not seen them, then i highly recommend the entire series. they are  excellent time capsules that review our lives and the country and world around us.

[Pearlee]

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@RoughDraft wrote:

There is an ancient Chinese curse:  "May you live in interesting times."  I think I'm there.

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@RoughDraft  Did you experience the 1960s?  That was a lot more interesting.  Never a dull moment.