By Tim Lambert The Early Arctic The first people in Alaska and Canada crossed the Bering Strait from Asia. The Inuit lived by hunting seals, walruses, caribou, and whales. The first inhabitants of Greenland were also Inuit. The Vikings arrived in Greenland at the end of the 10th century. They were led by Erik Thorvaldsson… Continue reading A History of the Arctic
Category: Histories of countries and key towns and cities around the world
A History of the City of Rome
By Tim Lambert The Ancient City of Rome There was a settlement in Rome by the mid-8th century BC. In the 6th century BC, it was ruled by Etruscan kings. The kings were advised by the Senate, a body that consisted of Roman aristocrats or patricians. However, in 510 BC the Romans rebelled and expelled… Continue reading A History of the City of Rome
A History of Toronto, Canada
By Tim Lambert The Foundation of Toronto For ten thousand years native people lived on the site of the city of Toronto. The first European to reach the area was a Frenchman named Etienne Brule in 1615. However, the first European settlement was a French trading fort called built in Fort Rouille in about 1750.… Continue reading A History of Toronto, Canada
A History of Torun, Poland
By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Agata Ulanowska Torun in The Middle Ages Torun is a historic city in Poland. It is famous for its many Medieval buildings. The town of Torun was founded by the Teutonic Knights (an order of German knights who ruled parts of the Baltic). On 28 December 1233, Torun was given… Continue reading A History of Torun, Poland
A History of Trondheim, Norway
By Tim Lambert Early Trondheim Trondheim was founded as a trading settlement in 997. However, before then, it was an assembly point where people met to discuss important issues. There may have been some merchants living there. However, it was formally founded as a town by the Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason (995-c.1000). Originally, Trondheim was… Continue reading A History of Trondheim, Norway
A History of Vancouver
By Tim Lambert The Foundation of Vancouver For 10,000 years, native people lived on the site of Vancouver. A Spaniard named Jose Maria Narvaez reached the area by sea in 1791. However, in 1792, George Vancouver claimed the land for Britain. In 1808, Simon Fraser reached the area after travelling overland. The Fraser River was… Continue reading A History of Vancouver
A History of Venice
By Tim Lambert Early Venice According to tradition, Venice was founded in 421 AD. At that time a Celtic people called the Veneti lived along the coast of what is now Northeast Italy. Since 49 BC they had been Roman citizens. However, in 453 Attila the Hun invaded Italy. In terror, some Veneti fled to… Continue reading A History of Venice
A History of Warsaw
By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Karina Smulska Early Warsaw Warsaw developed later than other Polish towns. By the 10th century, there was a small settlement on the River Wisla. However, it didn’t grow into a town until the 14th century. In 1413 Warsaw became the capital of the Duchy of Mazovia. Then in 1526, Mazovia… Continue reading A History of Warsaw
A History of Washington DC
By Tim Lambert The Foundation of Washington DC Washington DC was founded to be the capital of the United States. The first European to explore the area was Englishman John Smith in 1608. Later in the 17th century settlers created tobacco plantations worked by black slaves. The town of Alexandria was founded in 1749 and… Continue reading A History of Washington DC
A History of Waterford
By Tim Lambert VIKING AND MEDIEVAL WATERFORD Waterford is one of Ireland’s oldest towns. The Vikings founded it. They founded several towns in Ireland of which Waterford was one. The exact year Waterford was founded is not known. However, according to tradition, it was around 853 but some people believe it was founded later in… Continue reading A History of Waterford