May 25, 1876  – Adam Worth steals a recently discovered Gainsborough portrait, keeps it from the Pinkertons for over 25 years

  On this day in 1876, the recently re-discovered and insanely valuable portrait of Lady Georgiana, duchess of Devonshire disappeared without a trace from a gallery in London. It would…

Continue ReadingMay 25, 1876  – Adam Worth steals a recently discovered Gainsborough portrait, keeps it from the Pinkertons for over 25 years

Odd This Day: The rhino seen in Albrect Durer’s illustration arrives in Lisbon at the Belem Tower, becomes a sensation

On this day in 1515 a magnificent beast arrived in Portugal from the far east, a nearly mythical creature unseen in Europe for a thousand years. This one rhinoceros lived a short life, but his…

Continue ReadingOdd This Day: The rhino seen in Albrect Durer’s illustration arrives in Lisbon at the Belem Tower, becomes a sensation
Read more about the article Odd This Day: Irish adventurer Thomas Blood, disguised as a priest, (almost) steals the British crown jewels
Caption/credit: British crown jewels, circe 1870. Source: Wikimedia commons

Odd This Day: Irish adventurer Thomas Blood, disguised as a priest, (almost) steals the British crown jewels

On this day in 1671, a bold and daring attempt to steal the British crown jewels was narrowly thwarted, adding to a long list of bold, daring, and thwarted crimes perpetrated by one “Colonel” Thomas Blood.

Continue ReadingOdd This Day: Irish adventurer Thomas Blood, disguised as a priest, (almost) steals the British crown jewels
Read more about the article February 1928, Chicago “The Call of Cthulhu” by H. P. Lovecraft is First Published
Sketched in profile by the author himself, this Cthulhu doesn't exude planet-destroying rage. But maybe he's still in deathly repose patiently awaiting an opportunity to pounce.

February 1928, Chicago “The Call of Cthulhu” by H. P. Lovecraft is First Published

In February 1928 Weird Tales magazine publishes "The Call of Cthulhu" and Lovecraft's most celebrated story narrowly escaped the scrap heap.

Continue ReadingFebruary 1928, Chicago “The Call of Cthulhu” by H. P. Lovecraft is First Published

January 28, 1928: The new volcanic island of Anak Krakatau emerges from the sea

On January 28, 1928: Forty-five years after the catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa that destroyed nearly two-thirds of the volcanic island and killed over 36,000 people, a new volcano rose from the sea to take its place. Locals called it Anak Krakatau – “Child of Krakatoa.”

Continue ReadingJanuary 28, 1928: The new volcanic island of Anak Krakatau emerges from the sea