Brush Up

Contesting the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands the Argentines launched an invasion leading to a 74 day conflict with the British and even longer tensions that still exist to this day. Want to know what yomping means? Brush up to find out!

Threatened by the French Revolution, European monarchies coalesced against Napoleon’s growing French Empire with little success until France’s defeat in Russia, which led to the restoration of the French monarchy. Want to hear about dental practices at the time? Brush up to find out!

To try non-Catholic Christians in the 12th century, the Pope set up the Inquisition, which split into various branches across Europe, leading to cruel practices but ending at Napoleon’s request in the early 19th century. Want to know about the infamous rack method of torture? Brush up to find out!

The Inca civilization, born in the 12th century, became a rapidly growing empire in the 15th century, but was defeated completely in 1572 after the arrival of the Spanish to the region. Want to know about the Incas’ extravagant calculator? Brush up to find out!

India’s independence movement grew in the late 19th century, flourished under Gandhi's peaceful leadership and resulted in the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. Want to know how many times Gandhi was arrested during the independence movement? Brush up to find out!

Carnival traditions that precede the fasting period of Lent and may have in fact arisen during Pagan rituals, are today an occasion for festivities in places like Rio and New Orleans. Want to know where Mardi Gras was first celebrated in North America? Brush up to find out!

From the late 13th to the 20th century the Ottoman Empire vastly expanded its territory and flourished in the fields of science and architecture. Want to know why Sultans killed their own family? Brush up to find out!

Despite religious and political pushback, a guild of stoneworkers in the middle ages evolved into one of the largest secret societies in history whose members range from astronauts to presidents. Want to know who’s called the Grand Architect? Brush up to find out!

Spanning over a thousand years, Ancient Rome was founded in the 8th century BC as a monarchy, grew into a Republic, fell as an empire, and involved war, philosophy, family, murder, passion, and more. Want to know where the word vandalism comes from? Brush up to find out!

In 1962, France and the UK start collaborating on the development of a supersonic passenger jet called the concorde, using technology that still inspires new aerospatial advances today. Want to know how Phil Collins performed a concert in London and Philadelphia on the same day? Brush up to find out!