Creation of Margarine

Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès

In the period prior to the 20th century, butter was a luxury commodity. Only the wealthy and the aristocracy could only afford. The main reason was it’s made of pure dairy. And dairy was too expensive for the common people. And so in the 1860’s, a leader would present a prize that would led to the creation of a butter substitute – margarine.

Ranavalona I: Bloody Queen

Ranavalona I

In the 19th century, European influence in the African coast grew tremendously. It was to engage in the lucrative trade of slaves, initially, gold, spices, and salt. In the biggest island of Africa, Madagascar, a Queen rose against the foreigners in the defense of local traditions and customs. Her methods, however, displayed high level of cruelty. This was the Merina Queen Ranavalona I.

Florin: Medieval Age Euro

The famous landmark of Florence, the Duomo, 
or the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore 

Coins are part of our everyday lives. It allows us to make transactions in small quantities, like buying a candy or using for transportation fair, or even a simple vending machine. The history of coins had progressed so long. It began by the time people discovered metals and learned how to trade. In the Medieval period, one coin that dominated the period was made by the small but powerful Italian city-state of Florence – Florin.

Tulip Mania: The First Big Bust

Semper Augustus - a popular species
of tulip during the Mania

In 2008, a global recession hit the world hard. It is a fact in an economy that there are periods of highs and lows, booms and bust. Bursting bubbles were inevitable if an authority is not careful enough. Bubbles are characterize by rapid rise of prices of a commodity and its sudden deflation caused by different circumstances. In history, one of the weirdest but significant bubbles was started by a flower – a tulip.

Emperor Yongle: Usurper and Builder

Emperor Yongle

He was an Emperor that thought large. He had high ambition which drove him to power. After power was his, he continued to think big; and he was determine to realize it. From his dark rise came an open and majestic China. A China that that had a new imperial capital and a new splendor for its rulers and officials to enjoy. A China that stretched its reaches as far as Africa. This was the reign of Emperor Yongle.

The Life of Jay Gould

Jay Gould

He was a man brave enough to clash with one of the wealthiest man in the United States. He proved to be even bolder when he was prepared to use illegal means to achieve his goals. He profited at the expense of other’s money and life savings. From a poor humble background, the life of Jay Gould horrified many.

The Nian Rebellion: In the Shadows of Taiping

Senggelinqin

Rebellion, war, and incursion, these what describe China during the tumultuous latter half of the 19th century. The Manchu led Qing Dynasty was in its final chapters. It faced the strong and powerful imperialistic agendas of the West. Its Empire was being carved into several sphere of influences among the Europeans. Domestic affairs was as bleak as its foreign relations. Rebellions of discontent erupted in various regions of Imperial China. The largest was the Taiping Rebellion. Simultaneously, other minor rebellions gave headaches to the Forbidden City. Among these obscure rebellion was the Nian Rebellion.