India Gate and the First World War
Having already visited Amritsar and Mumbai, my recent visit to New Delhi added a new chapter to my travels in India. Unlike my past winter trips, this journey brought me
Portugal’s National Anthem and its defiant message to the British
The relationship between England and Portugal dates all the way back to the Middle Ages, beginning with the Crusades and formalised over time through treaties and marriages. The historic partnership
Why carnations marked the 25th of April
Carnations are one of the oldest cultivated flowers in the world, first mentioned in Greek literature around 2,000 years ago. Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher and the successor to Aristotle, referred
“Arise, Sir Loin.”
In the early 1600s, Shakespeare’s plays were drawing crowds night after night, as people flooded into the theatre eager to see Macbeth, a play about a Scottish general who is
The ancient origins of Carnival
Throughout history, humanity has always celebrated the changing of seasons and the renewal of life through various festivals and rituals. Among these, Carnival stands out as a vibrant tradition with
The history behind the months of the year
The Gregorian calendar is what we use today to track the Earth’s journey around the sun, or to schedule a dentist’s appointment, or to figure out how many days we
Father Christmas alternatives around the world
As the festive season approaches, Christmas lights illuminate the streets, and shops proudly showcase advent calendars and chocolate Father Christmases. Yet, amidst this familiar scene, Father Christmas isn’t the sole
The origins of Black Friday: “A black mark upon the streets”
Black Friday, a day that marks the unofficial beginning of the holiday shopping season. It is one of the largest and oldest sales and, over time, the term has become
The Gateway of India: from one era to another
Picture this, you’re living in the first century AD, in the heart of Ancient Rome. The city is bustling with activity as labourers, artisans, and architects gather together, ready to
From myths to meteorology: ancient civilisations’ perceptions of rain
Now that September is here, so is the onset of rainy days. Following the warmer days of summer, the cooler and cloudy weather of autumn is a welcome change to