History

Cervantes Monument in Madrid

Don Quixote and his friend Sancho Panza are certainly among the most famous novel heroes in the world and have been a symbol of Spanish culture since their publication. The novel by Miguel de Cervantes is therefore rightly considered a classic of world literature and...

The tulip mania

The "Tulip Mania" was the first well-documented speculative bubble in European history. The day when the collapse of this cleverly constructed entity began was February 3, 1637 and it is worth taking a look at the back story of this event to understand it. Originally,...

Penance Walk to Canossa

In 1073 the monk Hildebrand was appointed as pope Gregory VII, not by the cardinals, but by acclamation of the Roman people, disregarding all valid rules.   He was a passionate advocate of ecclesiastical reforms that ultimately aimed at a tightly organized church...

All good things come in threes

In Christian symbolism the number three plays an important role, I am thinking for example of the Three Kings or the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). That is why it is usually assumed that the proverb "Three are all good things" has Christian roots or can...
The tulip mania

The tulip mania

The "Tulip Mania" was the first well-documented speculative bubble in European history. The day when the collapse of...

Penance Walk to Canossa

Penance Walk to Canossa

In 1073 the monk Hildebrand was appointed as pope Gregory VII, not by the cardinals, but by acclamation of the Roman...

All good things come in threes

All good things come in threes

In Christian symbolism the number three plays an important role, I am thinking for example of the Three Kings or the...

The Vltava

The Vltava

"The Vltava" is one of the works known to everyone. At least everyone who has heard the piece once has its powerfully...

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Before the storm

Before the storm

Christmas 1812: Half of Europe is occupied by French troops whose emperor is currently pull back from Russia. Prussia...

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Duke of Enghien

Duke of Enghien

"That was worse than a crime, that was a mistake."   The one who said this was not just anyone, but one of...

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Chicken Marengo

Chicken Marengo

Only hesitantly could the old powers agree on a common action against revolutionary France. After the "first...

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The Cinnamon Star

The Cinnamon Star

If you mention the cinnamon star, especially if you do so around Christmas, everyone's eyes are sure to light up. On...

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