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Victorian Christmas Cards
Printed Christmas cards became popular in the Victorian period (1837-1901) thanks to a combination of cheaper printing techniques and even cheaper post, with the arrival of the Penny Black postage stamp. Coming in all shapes, sizes, and materials...
Definition
The Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales (written c. 1388-1400 CE) is a medieval literary work by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer (l. c. 1343-1400 CE) comprised of 24 tales related to a number of literary genres and touching on subjects ranging from fate to God's...
Definition
Oracle Bones
Oracle Bones (also known as Dragon's Bones) were the shoulder blades of oxen or plastrons of turtles (the flat underside of the turtle's shell) which were used in the Shang Dynasty of China (c. 1600-1046 BCE) for divination. The symbols carved...
Article
Tibetan Sand Mandalas
Tibetan sand mandalas are works of art created to encourage healing, peace, and purification generally as well as spiritual or psychological focus specifically for those creating and viewing it. A mandala (Sanskrit for "circle") is a geometric...
Article
The Iraq Museum & Three Wars: Three Steps from Hell
This article documents and elaborates on the many critical behind-the-scenes events, unknown to the public, before the history leaves us. The author The bulk of the “the land between the two rivers” lies in what we call today...
Definition
Pope Joan
Pope Joan was a legendary female pope of the Middle Ages said to have reigned from 855 to 858. After her story was popularized by Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), a statue of her was placed alongside those of other popes at...
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Edgley Christmas Card
An 1848 Christmas card printed by William Maw Edgley (1826-19116) showing scenes of general merriment and, for the first time on such a card, holly. The sender wrote the name of the recipient at the very top and signed their name at the bottom...
Worksheet/Activity
Halloween Matching Card Game
Here is a little game to introduce Halloween into your social studies class without going off-topic! Instructions and a lesson plan included. Instructions Print the PDF Cut out each of the 8 cards Cut out the parts of the cards that you...
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The First Printed Christmas Card
The first printed Christmas card, commissioned by Sir Henry Cole (1808-82) and drawn by John Callcott Horsley (1817-1903) in 1843. One thousand copies of the card were printed. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) Orignal source note...
Image
The Card Players by Cézanne
An 1893-6 painting in oils, The Card Players, by Paul Cézanne (1839-1906), the French post-impressionist artist. Cézanne visited the subject of card players several times. In this version, he shows only two players and captures the tension...