Viking Fact Twenty Five

Rollo the Walker was a Viking chieftain that helped lead the initial siege of Paris in 885 that lasted 13 months. The Vikings eventually gave up the siege but returned again 25 years later in 911. Rather than endure another siege Charles King of the Franks gave the Vikings part of Francia and that territory became Normandy. Rollo was the first Duke of Normandy and his great-great-great grandson was William the Conqueror. 


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American Civil War Fact Twenty Five

Colonel Santos Benevides reached the highest rank of a Mexican American in the Confederate army. He was from Laredo, TX and his greatest military accomplishment came in defense of his hometown. On March 19, 1864 he led his 33rd Texas Calvary to defeat the Union First Texas Calvary.


American Civil War page

Ancient Egypt Fact Twenty Five

Developing agriculture along the Nile River led to grain based food to be a large part of the diet. Bread and beer were two staples that provided nourishment for all no matter the economic class.


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Pirate Fact Twenty Five

Pierre Le Grand is credited with being the first to give piracy a try in the America's as he operated in the Caribbean in the late 1620's. He started with a small boat and 28 men and made the bold move to upgrade when his crew boarded and overtook a Spanish galleon that had fallen behind the rest of the Spanish treasure fleet. He reportedly returned to his native France with the ship while word of his actions inspired many others to turn to piracy in the Caribbean.


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St Zephyrinus 15th Pope

St Zephyrinus was the 15th Pope 199 to 217. His birth date is not known and it is believed he was born in Rome with the birth name Zepheniah. He spent his time dealing with the persecutions of the Christians set forth by Roman Emperor Septimus Severus, countering the heretical teachings for both the Montantists and the followers of Theodotus and trying to remain neutral as the theological schools of Hippolytus on one side and Cleomenes and Sabellius on the other debated the modality of God. Hippolytus did not think highly of Zephyrinus and referred to him as a simple man without education. Pope Zephyrinus was close to Callistus who he brought to Rome from Antium and made him a deacon. Upon his death Callistus was elected to succeed him which further infuriated Hippolytus as he and his scholars withdrew from the Roman Church causing a schism as Hippolytus declared himself a rival Pope. The Feast day of St Zephyrinus is celebrated on December 20.

Ancient Seven Wonders of the World Fact Twenty Four

The Parian marble used in the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus came from the Greek island of Paros in the Aegean Sea. Paros was nearly on the same 37th latitude about 200 km or 124 miles to the west. The marble quarries were on the north side of the island.

Ancient Seven Wonders page

Knights Templar Fact Twenty Four

King Alfonso I of Navarre and Aragon had willed his entire country to the Knights Templar when he died in 1134. The territory was actually controlled by the Moors at the time. Plus the aristocracy of both the kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon rejected the bequest and seized control in each.


Knights Templar page