Author: Dr. Zar

Dr. Zar

Dr. Zar graduated with a B.A. in French and history, a Master’s in History, and a Ph.D. in History. He currently teaches history in Ohio.

A Brief History Today, June 15, 2017, we raise a mug and wish all of our British readers a happy Beer Day Britain, Britain’s National Beer Day. Digging Deeper The date of this relatively new holiday has been celebrated annually on 15 June since only 2015.  The founders of the holiday chose the date because 15 June is also the date that the Magna Carta, one of Britain’s most important legal documents in the island’s entire history, was sealed in 1215.  If you are wondering what the heck does the Magna Carta, a peace treaty between an unpopular king and his…

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A Brief History On June 14, 1986, The Mindbender, the world’s largest indoor triple-loop roller coaster, derailed and killed three riders at Galaxyland inside West Edmonton Mall, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Digging Deeper The accident occurred just a few months after the ride’s opening on March 16, 1986.  On a Saturday evening in June of that same year, the roller coaster’s yellow train (train No. 1) completed the ride’s second inverted loop before encountering one of three areas of uplift before the third and final loop.  Unfortunately, missing bolts on the left inside wheel assembly of the last car of the…

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A Brief History This article presents a calendar of historical paranormal events that allegedly occurred in June! Digging Deeper June 2, 1692: The Salem Witch Trials Begin! June 8, 2017: Movie Review, The Mummy June 9, 2017: Enter for a chance to see The Mummy in Cleveland! June 10, 2016: Paranormal Blockbuster The Conjuring 2 Set to Open June 11, 173: The Miracle of the Rain saves a Roman Army! June 12, 1939: Dr. Cyclops, The First Technicolor Horror Film Begins Production June 13, 2014: Five Fascinating Facts about Godzilla June 17, 1462: Dracula’s Bloodthirstiness Chases Invaders From Wallachia On June 20,…

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A Brief History On June 11, 173, during the Marcomannic Wars (166–180), the Roman army in Moravia was encircled by the Quadi, a Germanic tribe, who had broken the peace treaty of 171.  In a violent thunderstorm, emperor Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) defeated and subdued them in the so-called “Miracle of the Rain”!  (For more about Rome on this website, see Rome) Digging Deeper Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor in the beginning of the major motion picture Gladiator (2000), is considered the last of Rome’s Five Good Emperors and, arguably, the last emperor of the Pax Romana or “Roman Peace”.  The author…

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A Brief History On June 10, 1190, during the Third Crusade, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (r. 1155-1190) drowned in the river Saleph while leading an army to Jerusalem. Digging Deeper Frederick I Barbarossa (known as “red beard”) is generally considered one of Medieval Europe’s greatest emperors.  He had a long reign as not only Holy Roman Emperor but also as King of Italy, King of Germany (which at the time also meant King of the Romans), and King of Burgundy, ruling some of these realms from 1152 until his death in 1190, or nearly forty years! He accomplished much…

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