European history

Why are people of noble birth said to be ‘blue blooded’? © Getty Images

Why are people of noble birth said to be ‘blue blooded’?

Permanent Revolution © Getty Images

Permanent Revolution

The Burning of Jews during the Black Death © Getty Images

The Burning of Jews during the Black Death

A Royal Affair © Getty Images

A Royal Affair

The Sultan's Procession in Istanbul, C. 1736 (public domain)

In a nutshell: the Ottoman Empire

Nuclear disaster at Chernobyl © Getty Images

Nuclear disaster at Chernobyl

Top 10: history’s oddest taxes © Getty Images

General history

Top 10: history’s oddest taxes

What was snuff? © Getty Images

What was snuff?

Five facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa © Getty Images

Five facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa

In a nutshell: Spanish Inquisition (public domain)

In a nutshell: Spanish Inquisition

When was the first Christmas stamp issued? © Washington Post

When was the first Christmas stamp issued?

When did the potato catch on in Europe? © Getty Images

When did the potato catch on in Europe?

Five facts about La Sagrada Familia © Getty Images

Five facts about La Sagrada Familia

Why did the Romans build straight roads? © Getty Images

Why did the Romans build straight roads?