In December 1952, a thick fog settled over London. Fog wasn’t unusual. Londoners were used to winter smog. But this fog felt different, it was a silent death trap. . Thick, toxic fog — caused by coal burning, cold weather, and stagnant air — blanketed the city for five days. Visibility dropped to a few …
Coca-Cola Sold as Medicine
Today, Coca-Cola is one of the most recognisable drinks in the world. Some even call these beverages toilet cleaner, but when it was first created in 1886, it wasn't meant to be a beverage at all. It was medicine. John Stith Pemberton, a pharmacist from Atlanta, created the drink as a brain tonic or health …
Japanese Soldier Who Didn’t Know WWII Ended
Today, I bring to you a piece of history that will stun you. Sometimes, history quietly unfolds in isolation, in belief, and in unwavering commitment. Sometimes, people make history without even realising it. Hiroo Onoda was one such person. In 1944, a young Japanese intelligence officer named Hiroo Onoda was sent to Lubang Island in …
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Imprisoned in Time
In 1974, a few farmers in Xi’an, China, set out to dig a well. The land was dry, and they hoped to find water beneath the surface. As their tools struck the ground, they expected rocks or soil. Instead, they uncovered something unexpected. They found a broken piece of clay. At first, it seemed like …
Bizarre Epidemic: The Dancing Plague of 1518
In July 1518, something strange began on the streets of Strasbourg. A woman stepped into the street and began to dance. Her name was Frau Troffea. What’s weird in that, you may ask. Well, she danced for nearly a week without any music or any reason till she collapsed from exhaustion. This didn’t end here. …
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Human Zoos
History often surprises us with stories of innovation, courage, and discovery, yet there are some moments that make us deeply uncomfortable. Whenever I visit a zoo, it feels disheartening to see the wild animals in captivity. However, I start wondering, what if there is a world where the roles are reversed, or are we already …
An Accidental Discovery That Saved Millions
Professor Alexander Fleming In 1928, a scientist returned to a messy laboratory after a few weeks gap. What he found would change the course of human history. Alexander Fleming, a Scottish physician-scientist, was studying bacteria in his lab at St. Mary's Hospital in London. He accidentally left several petri dishes containing bacterial cultures lying around …
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Revealing My A2Z Theme: When History Whispers
There is something about history that has always fascinated me. Especially the stories hidden quietly between them. The unexpected incidents that get lost in the pages of history. The forgotten people whose discoveries make our lives convenient today. The strange events that make you pause and wonder — Did this really happen? In an attempt …
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Holi: More Than Just a Splash of Colour
Holi is a celebration of colours. But why?Every year, as I see people buying packets of gulal with such excitement and children fillingtheir pichkaris with colours that may outlast the day, I find myself wondering — why colours? Why do we celebrate this festival by smearing each other with hues?The use of dry powders in …
Growing Up Between the Pages
At first, school felt a little lonely. I have always been an introvert, and actively making friends never came easily to me. Over time, I did have a few good friends, really good friends, but for the most part, I kept to myself. I was chubby as a child, and some classmates would often call …
Cerebration 