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Ten Facts About the Ancient Maya

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:09:40 +0000

The Ancient Maya...remember them? They're the ones who supposedly said the world was going to end this past December. Turns out, the Ancient Maya said nothing of the sort (that's fact #2). Learn more facts about this fascinating culture!

The Battle of Palo Alto

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:54:14 +0000

On May 8, 1846, Mexicans and Americans fought the first major engagement of the Mexican-American War. The Battle of Palo Alto was largely fought by the artillery of both armies and ended when a smoky grass fire made the armies disengage from one another.

"Long Ben" Avery Goes Rogue

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:14:22 +0000

On May 7, 1694, Henry "Long Ben" Avery led a mutiny aboard the ship Duke. As he did so, he made a memorable quote to Captain Gibson, a notorious drunkard: "Come, don't be in a fright, but put on your clothes, and I'll let you into a secret. You must know that I am Captain of this ship now, and this is my cabin, therefore you must walk out. I am bound to Madagascar, with a design of making my own fortune, and that of all the brave fellows joined with me...if you have a mind to make one of us, we will receive you, and if you'll turn sober, and mind your business, perhaps in time I may make you one of my Lieutenants, if not, here's a boat alongside and you shall be set ashore." Avery and his crew went on to score one of the greatest treasures ever taken by pirates: the treasure ship of the Grand Moghul of India.

Seven Facts About Cinco de Mayo

Sat, 04 May 2013 10:30:11 +0000

Everyone loves Cinco de Mayo! It's like a Mexican St. Patrick's day, with nachos instead of green beer. But the holiday is about much more than chips and salsa. Learn some facts about Cinco de Mayo!

Causes of Independence in Latin America

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:39:28 +0000

Between 1810 and 1824, most of the nations in Latin America went their own way, fighting for independence from Spain. They were led by men like Simon Bolivar and other dedicated patriots. Surely many Latin Americans were sick of Spain's corrupt colonial system, but the movement was more complicated than just that. What were the causes of independence in Latin America?

"Black Sam" Bellamy Visits Davy Jones' Locker

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:05:23 +0000

On April 26, 1717, a freak storm thrashed the eastern coast of North America. Among the victims was the Whydah, a massive pirate warship captained by the legendary "Black Sam" Bellamy. 140 pirates went to a watery grave, including Bellamy. According to New Englanders, Belllamy became a pirate not for booty or glory, but for love.

Nicolas Bravo, 1786-1854

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:35:00 +0000

Nicolas Bravo passed away on April 22, 1854. He had led a long and distinguished life, fighting for Mexican independence before serving as President of Mexico on three occasions.

The Bay of Pigs

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:09:44 +0000

It was on April 17, 1961 that 1,400 Cuban exiles, trained and armed by the CIA, landed in Cuba at the famous Bay of Pigs. Their goal: overthrow Fidel Castro and his communist government. The invasion was a fiasco from the start, and after two days of fighting, the invaders surrendered. Why was the Bay of Pigs invasion such a disaster?

Maduro Wins Close Election

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:11:40 +0000

The results are in...and Nicolas Maduro will continue to be President of Venezuela. According to the official stats, Maduro has won with barely over 50% of the general vote, defeating Henrique Capriles. The vote was close enough that Capriles has demanded a recount, although it's unlikely to happen. The fact that this vote was close signifies a defeat of sorts for Maduro and his fellow Chavistas, however. Given that many surely voted for Maduro because it was Hugo Chavez' dying wish that they do so, and the blatant breaking of electoral laws on the part of the Chavista party, this election should have been a blowout. Look for opposition parties to slowly gain ground in elections for legislators and state and regional offices as Chavez' ghost slowly loosens its stranglehold on power.

Poet Pablo Neruda Exhumed in Chile

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:31:03 +0000

After decades of speculation, the government of Chile has finally decided to put to rest - one way or another - the question of whether legendary Chilean poet Pablo Neruda was poisoned in 1973. The government of Chile - led by General Augusto Pinochet - certainly had reasons to want Neruda out of the way. Neruda was a good friend and staunch supporter of leftist president Salvador Allende, who was deposed by a military coup on September 11, 1973. Neruda was hugely influential and would have been a strong voice against the new regime. He died under suspicious circumstances on September 23, 1973, not even two weeks after the coup. Samples from Neruda's body will be tested for proof of the long-standing theory that he was poisoned. If the results are positive, chalk up one more victim to the thousands who were killed by the Pinochet dictatorship.