Category: Histories of countries and key towns and cities around the world

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

By Tim Lambert The town of Whitehorse was founded after gold was found in Yukon in 1896. In 1897 many people were camping in the area and soon the tents were replaced by permanent buildings. It’s believed the town takes its names from nearby rapids because they reminded people of the manes of white horses.… Continue reading A History of Whitehorse

By Tim Lambert Early Winnipeg Winnipeg stands at the confluence of two rivers. Its name comes from native words meaning murky waters. The French built a fur trading post on the site in 1738 called Fort Rouge. However, the fort was later abandoned. Then in 1810, the North West Company built a new fort called… Continue reading A History of Winnipeg

By Tim Lambert Early Wroclaw Wroclaw is one of Poland’s great cities. It began in the 10th century as a settlement on an island called Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island). In 990 Silesia and Wroclaw became part of Poland. In 1000 a bishopric (diocese of a bishop) was established there. In 1241 Wroclaw was devastated when… Continue reading A History of Wroclaw, Poland

By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Bea Price Early Zakopane Zakopane is a flourishing winter sports center at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. It’s commonly called The winter capital of Poland. However, until the 19th century, Zakopane was only a tiny village. It does not appear in history until the 17th century. However during the… Continue reading A History of Zakopane

By Tim Lambert Ancient Albania The people of Albania learned to use bronze about 2,100 BC. Then about 1,000 BC, they learned to use iron. The Iron Age people of Albania are called the Illyrians. The Illyrians eventually came into conflict with Rome and the Romans conquered them in 167 BC. Under Roman rule, Albania… Continue reading A Short History of Albania

By Tim Lambert Early Amsterdam The city of Amsterdam began as a village on the River Amstel. However, in the Middle Ages, it grew rapidly as a center of trade. In 1275 Floris V, Count of Holland gave the people of ‘Amstelledamme’ to transport their goods by water through his territory. In 1306 the bishop… Continue reading A Short History of Amsterdam

By Tim Lambert From the 4th century, BC Celtic people lived in what is now Austria. At the end of the 1st century BC, the Romans conquered the region as far north as the River Danube, and in 45 AD they created the province of Noricum. The Romans built towns such as Vindobona (Vienna) in… Continue reading A Short History of Austria

By Tim Lambert Early Belgium The Romans conquered Belgium in 57 BC and it became integrated into the Roman Empire as Gallia Belgica. However, in the 5th century AD Roman rule collapsed and the Franks conquered Belgium. Their first capital was at Tournai. In the 9th century, the Franks ruled most of Western Europe. Yet… Continue reading A Short History of Belgium

By Tim Lambert Early Berlin The great city of Berlin began in the 13th century. Originally there were 2 settlements on either side of the Spree River, Colln and Berlin. Colln was first mentioned in 1237 while Berlin was first mentioned in 1244. The two towns grew rapidly and in 1307 they made an alliance.… Continue reading A Short History of Berlin