By Tim Lambert Colonial Haiti Haiti forms part of the island of Hispaniola. Before the Europeans arrived a people called the Arawaks lived there. However, on 6 December 1492, Christopher Columbus landed at Mole Saint-Nicolas on the northwest and called the island Espanola, which was later anglicized as Hispaniola. Columbus built a fort on the… Continue reading A Short History of Haiti
A Short History of the Dominican Republic
By Tim Lambert The Early Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic forms part of the island of Hispaniola. Before the Europeans arrived a people called the Arawaks lived there. However, on 6 December 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in the northwest and called the island Espanola, which was later anglicized as Hispaniola. Spanish settlers founded San Domingo… Continue reading A Short History of the Dominican Republic
A Short History of Cuba
By Tim Lambert Early Cuba The first European to reach Cuba was Christopher Columbus in 1492. At that time the indigenous people lived by farming. They grew cassava, maize, and yams. They also smoked tobacco. In 1511 Diego Velasquez conquered the island of Cuba and he founded several settlements including Havana. The natives were devastated… Continue reading A Short History of Cuba
A Timeline of Chocolate
By Tim Lambert 1,500 BC The people of Central America begin to drink chocolate 1500 AD The Aztecs drink chocolate 1500s The Spanish bring chocolate to Spain. Later chocolate drinking spreads to other parts of Europe. 1657 A chocolate house opens in England where you can buy a drink of chocolate 1765 The first chocolate factory in America opens 1795 Steam engines… Continue reading A Timeline of Chocolate
The Indus Valley Civilization
By Tim Lambert The Rise of the Indus Valley Civilization The first Indian civilization arose in the Indus Valley about 2,600 BC. It straddled northwest India and Pakistan. By 6,500 BC the people of the area had begun farming. By 5,500 BC they had invented pottery. By about 2,600 BC a prosperous farming society had… Continue reading The Indus Valley Civilization
Tooth Worms
By Tim Lambert For centuries people thought that tooth decay was caused by worms. About 50 AD a Roman called Scribonius Largus wrote about them. He recommended putting henbane seeds on a hot metal plate over burning charcoal and inhaling the seeds to fumigate your mouth then rinsing your mouth with cold water. Henbane was… Continue reading Tooth Worms
A Timeline of Christianity
By Tim Lambert c. 30 On the day of Pentecost Peter preaches a great sermon and about 3,000 people are added to the church C 35 AD Saul is converted and changes his name to Paul 43 AD The Romans invade Britain C 46-48 AD Paul and Barnabas sail to Cyprus and what is now Turkey C. 48-51… Continue reading A Timeline of Christianity
A History of the Waldensians
By Tim Lambert The Waldensians are a Christian sect that began in the 12th century and continues to the present day. By the Middle Ages, the Church was rich and powerful and some people criticized its worldliness. About 1175 a merchant of Lyons called Peter Waldo gave away his wealth and began preaching. He soon… Continue reading A History of the Waldensians
A History of Angels
By Tim Lambert Angels are intermediaries between God and human beings. (The word angel is derived from the Greek word angelos, which means messenger). The study of angels is called Angelology. Angels in the Bible The Bible often mentions angels. Angels are mentioned 273 times. The Bible says that human beings were made a little… Continue reading A History of Angels
A Timeline of New Zealand
By Tim Lambert 10th Century The Maori arrive in New Zealand 1642 Abel Tasman arrives at New Zealand 1769 Captain Cook arrives in New Zealand 1773 Captain Cook sails to New Zealand again 1777 Captain Cook arrives in New Zealand again 1792 Sealers arrive in New Zealand 1814 Missionary Samuel Marsden arrives in New Zealand 1817… Continue reading A Timeline of New Zealand