History

July 4th, 1776: the American Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. This document marks the first successful secession from a European empire, and one that is grounded not in dynastic or petty grievance but universalist appeals. Indeed, the second sentence reads; "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." As one of the first, and the largest of the wave of Enlightenment-inspired "Atlantic Revolutions," the declaration would go on to influence people across the world, star...

Sir David Attenborough (b. 1926, turns 100 today) in the 1950s. He joined the BBC in the 1950s as a trainee, going on to present Zoo Quest as his first major nature documentary.

An early depiction of St. George (d. 303) (right) and St. Theodore (d. 306) slaying a dragon at the Yılanlı Kilise ("Snake Church") in Cappadocia. This is one of the earliest depictions of St. George slaying a dragon, dating from the 9th-11th century, and shows the gradual transferring of the dragon myth from Theodore (with whom it had previously been associated) to George.

Dated to circa 200 AD, the Alexamanos graffito from Rome is the earliest depiction of Jesus and his crucifixion. It reads "Alexamanos worships his God" and shows an image of a man raising his hand to a crucified man with the head of a donkey, obviously intended to mock. At the time, Christians were accused of worshipping donkeys. A second interpretation puts the figure as being Anubis or Seth, but this seems less likely. In another hand nearby reads "Alexamenos fidelis" - Alexamenos is faithful.

Today is Lunar New Year, celebrated across East Asia. This year is the year of the Horse, associated with freedom, speed, strength, and intelligence. The Jade Emperor is said to have held a race to decide which animals to put on the zodiac. The horse came seventh. He nearly came sixth - but approaching the finish line, the snake suddenly jumped out of his hoof, startling the poor horse. Image source

Wassailing in Devon (1861). Wassailing is a traditional practice in Anglosphere countries on Twelfth Night (night of Jan 5th-6th). It originated from the Old English Waes Hael (meaning "be well" or "good health). It involves folk ceremonies at orchards, singing…

Wassailing in Devon (1861). Wassailing is a traditional practice in Anglosphere countries on Twelfth Night (night of Jan 5th-6th). It originated from the Old English Waes Hael (meaning "be well" or "good health). It involves folk ceremonies at orchards, singing to the trees and making lots of noise to wake them up. Wassails are traditional songs used at these events, often with local flavour. Recently, the tradition has also returned to the U.S. east coast. Wassailing also used to involve going door-to-door singing and offering drink, but this has been largely superseded by carol singing. This second practice hints, though, at wassailing's greater purpose: a community event to bring cheer in...

A nativity scene from the court of Mughal India (1620-30).

Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, England, on the 16th of December 1775 - 250 years ago. She is considered one of the great writers of the English language. Her six novels explore, often through wit and ironic prose, the lives and loves of the…

Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, England, on the 16th of December 1775 - 250 years ago. She is considered one of the great writers of the English language. Her six novels explore, often through wit and ironic prose, the lives and loves of the English upper class, often highlighting societal hypocrisy and the search for genuine love against the grain of family and class expectations. Virginia Woolf wrote - in praise of Austen's subtlety - that "of all great writers she is the most difficult to catch in the act of greatness." Unfortunately Austen died "just as she was beginning to feel confidence in her own success," as she is believed to have had Addison's disease. Nonetheless...