Famous for all eternity; Donald Trump only wishes he had this much bling Photo by v.williams46 Few historical figures are mired in as much mystery as the young boy king, Tutankhamun. Had he died in the 21st century, it's likely his face would have been plastered across celebrity gossip blogs (alongside pictures of his enormous treasure trove of wealth) and Internet forums endlessly circulating rumors regarding his cause of death. To this day, historians are still uncertain how Tutankhamun died so suddenly at age 19. However, had it not been for his untimely death, he might have been lost in historical obscurity; just another Egyptian pharaoh with a lot of pretty baubles. Sure, Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army is one of the greatest archeological discoveries of modern times, but did Steve Martin perform a song about him? British Egyptologist Howard Carter first discovered the steps to Tutankhamun's tomb under the remains of workers' huts in November of 1922, more than 3,000 years after it had first been sealed. A few weeks later on November 26, Carter and Lord Carnarvon entered the antechamber of the tomb, uncovering one of the most extensive and well-preserved burial sites of a pharaoh to date. Their discovery vaulted Tutankhamun out of royal anonymity and into the same sphere of other tragic historical figures such as Pocahontas, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, and Princess Diana. Within a short period of time, Tutankhamun had gone from a blip in an ancient line of rulers, to a mysterious young king frozen inside a gilded fairytale. People love a good story, but there's something unique about that combination of wealth, privilege, and a life cut down at its prime that continues to pique our curiosity. Suggested Sites... Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs - official website of the touring exhibition. Tutankhamun at the Griffith Institute - pictures of the original excavation, excerpts from Howard Carter's diary, and maps of the site. Global Egyptian Museum - a virtual museum that gathers artifacts and pictures from all over the world. The Mysteries of King Tut - National Geographic's exploration on the boy king, with photos, stories, and more. Theban Mapping Project - a project to catalog tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Theban Necropolis.

Directory categories: Tutankhamun, The Curse of King Tut, Howard Carter, Egyptian History, Egyptology

Archived under: 1920s, Ancient History, Archaeology, Curses, Egypt, History, Museums, Royalty, Tutankhamun

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The Tower as seen from the Thames -- the last view more than a few people had. (Photo by Les Hutchins) People tend to think of the Tower of London as a place of violence and bloodshed. It's understandable; after all, the Tower was the site of numerous murders and executions (including those of King Henry VI and Anne Boleyn), not to mention imprisonments (famous residents include Thomas More, Walter Raleigh, and Guy Fawkes). And it was also the setting of one of history's most infamous unsolved mysteries, the disappearance of King Edward V and his brother, Richard, the Duke of York, otherwise known as "the Princes in the Tower." Combine all of that, and it's obvious why the saying "sent to the Tower" evokes such fear. But the Tower's main purpose throughout history has been as a royal residence, rather than a prison (though criminals were imprisoned there as recently as 1952, when the mobster brothers the Kray twins called the Tower home). It was originally established as a fortress during the reign of William the Conqueror, and was later turned into a castle and home by Henry III. It also housed the royal menagerie, which included lions, leopards, camels, and even a polar bear! While that zoo no longer exists, the Tower is still home to an "unkindness" of ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens should ever leave the Tower, the entire structure -- and indeed Britain itself -- will collapse. Today, there are ten ravens in residence, whose care is paid for by the British government. Mostly a tourist attraction today, the Tower and its treasures, such as the Crown Jewels and the Royal Armoury, are protected by 35 Yeoman Warders, more popularly known as "Beefeaters." (The exact origin of this name is debated, but it may stem from the Middle Ages, when the guards were paid in rations of beef.) These retired military officers (traditionally all men until in 2007, when the first female guard was hired) live in the Tower proper with their families. One guard is given the title "Ravenmaster," and is responsible for the care of the Tower's avian tenants. But perhaps even more famous than its ravens and its Beefeaters are the Tower's other residents: its ghosts. Anne Boleyn (who carries "her head tucked underneath her arm"), the aforementioned princes, and Catherine Howard are all among the figures believed to haunt the Tower and its grounds. It's said to be the most haunted place in England, outranking even Stonehenge and Whitechapel (where the Jack the Ripper murders took place). If you visit the Tower today, you're seeing more than just some old buildings -- you're witnessing more than one thousand years of British history. Just watch out for bird droppings and headless ghosts! Suggested Sites... The Tower of London - official site for the Tower of London. Tower of London: Virtual Tour - take a look inside the Tower and learn more about its history and architecture. Camelot International: The Tower of London - site devoted to the Tower, run by its Yeoman Warders. CastleXplorer - explore Britain's many castles and discover more about their place in U.K. history. The British Monarchy - official site of the British Royal Family.

Directory categories: Tower of London, Castles, Middle Ages, London, UK Royalty

Archived under: Buildings, England, Hauntings, History, London, Museums, Prison, Royalty, Tourist Attractions, U.K. History, United Kingdom

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You've got to give Guy Fawkes credit. Even after being tortured, he still signed his confession with a fake name. "Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason, and plot...." Now, most readers of The Spark will be more than familiar with the traditional British festival of Guy Fawkes Day, but as the only current Spark contributor from the Sceptred Isle, I feel it falls to me on this most gruesome of days to set the record straight a little on this most macabre and sinister cultural event. Now, don’t get me wrong, I abhor the way the PC brigade, however well-intentioned, continually assaults our freedom to celebrate religious events for fear of offending those who may not share their particular values. However, I feel with Guy Fawkes the PC movement’s efforts should be doubled and rewarded with considerable financial backing. As I have aged and had children of my own, I have had to reassess what the event really means, and let me tell you, it sits in stark contrast to what I thought it meant 25 years ago. Take a look at this: Guy Fawkes Day What it meant to me then: A fun family evening when communities come together to share the experiences of good company, good food, and pretty fireworks. What it means to me now: The bloodthirsty Protestant glorification of the violent torture and execution of a Catholic dissident. Let me tell you, King James I and the practice of hanging, drawing, and quartering made Dick Cheney and water-boarding look a party game for kids. Anyone questioning my views on this should visit the town of Lewes, where the annual bonfire celebrations routinely include hooded torch-wielding enthusiasts burning effigies of the Pope with wanton abandon. Penny for the Guy What it meant to me then: A wholesome childhood activity that kept us off the streets, taught us the value of recycling, and put a few extra pennies in our pockets. What it means to me now: The building -- by children -- of an effigy of a minority political activist with the express intent of burning it publically. Seriously, what is the lesson here? And why do we get kids to do it? The Bonfire What it meant to me then:  Staring in wonder at the gigantic imposing inferno, just close enough to feel your cheeks, palms, and synthetic clothing fibers tingle; a rare chance to be face-to-face with the most deadly of elements. What it means to me now: A holocaust for hedgehogs. As the bonfire is slowly constructed in the days leading up to Guy Fawkes Night, the desperately cute (although undeniably stupid) hedgehog -- in perhaps one of Mother Nature’s cruelest of practical jokes -- is looking for a safe, cozy spot for winter hibernation. He sees the bonfire. He enters the bonfire. One can only imagine the inter-hedgehog conversations nationwide as the flames and smoke engulf them: "It’s a bit warm in here, isn’t it?" So what is the government doing to stop this egregious chain of events? Aside from painfully patronizing public information announcements about fireworks and bonfires being dangerous and hot -- nothing at all. So the message is loud and clear: Relive the persecution of Catholics, let your children burn their effigies freely, and rub salt into the mortal wounds of a man who has already been more than adequately punished and vilified... just try to be safe while you do it. Suggested Sites... The Gunpowder Plot Society - a comprehensive rundown of who, what, why, and where. The British Government Site - exactly how does Mr. Brown explain this one away? Guy Fawkes-Related Activities in York - the City of York appears desperate to claim one of its own. Lewes Bonfire Council - a real must-see for Medieval enthusiasts. The Fire Bridge Guy Fawkes Safety Page - how to avoid any unpleasantries on "Maim a Catholic" Day.

Directory categories: Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes Night, The Gunpowder Plot, UK Parliament, English History

Archived under: Assassinations, Conspiracies, Crime, Fireworks, Guy Fawkes Day, History, Holidays, London, U.K. History, United Kingdom

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Stalin, prior to death and relocation You know you're a bad guy when people don't want your body around, even after you're dead. Our case in point is Joseph Stalin, who was kicked out of his resting place on October 31, 1961. After his death, Stalin's embalmed body had been put in Lenin's tomb, but eight years later, Khrushchev gave him the boot. As part of the new leader's De-Stalinization campaign, Stalin's corpse was moved to a burial ground outside the walls of the Kremlin. Stalin wasn't the first controversial person to have his corpse moved from its original resting place. In one of the more bizarre cases in history, John Wycliffe's body was dug out of its grave, burnt, and the ashes deposited into the Thames River in 1428 -- over forty years after he died. This posthumous condemnation was designed to prevent Wycliffe's Protestant supporters from using his body as a relic. People sure did get their knickers in a twist about religion back then: Wycliffe’s biggest offense was translating the Bible into English. As for Stalin, the removal of his body has spawned a generation of fantastic Soviet jokes, which I learned from Emil Draitser's book, "Taking Penguins to the Movies: Ethnic Humor in Russia." My personal favorite regards a conversation between an ethnic Russian and an ethnic Georgian, who's just noticed that Stalin's body has disappeared (note bene: Stalin was Georgian): "Listen, comrade! What's happened to such a handsome mustached man, his decorations all over him, who was lying over here? Where is he? Where did you take him?" In order not to embitter the Georgian, one of the guards begins to explain: "Well, you know, his relatives came over…They took him away." "They took him away?! Can it be? And what about him?" He points to Lenin, "Why didn't anyone take him away? Is he an orphan, or what?" Indeed, Stalin is gone from Red Square, while Lenin remains, even 50 years later. If you have a hankering to see the body of somebody who died in 1924 (an odd memorial, if you ask me), you can still pay your respects. You may, however, have to wait in line. Suggested Sites... Lenin Mausoleum Homepage - see visitor information, as well as historical photos. Stalin Internet Archive - read Stalin's bio, writings, and see pictures. Russian Tourist Board’s guide to Moscow - figure out what to visit in Moscow.

Directory categories: Joseph Stalin, 20th Century Soviet Leaders, 20th Century Soviet History, The Cold War

Archived under: 1920s, 1950s, 1960s, Dead Celebrities, Death, History, Joseph Stalin, Russia

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The famous "From Hell" letter (From Casebook: Jack the Ripper) London, 1888. A fiend stalks the dank, filthy streets of the Whitechapel district, preying upon prostitutes -- gruesomely dismembering his victims -- and then disappears into the night. He is never caught. In the years since, identifying Jack the Ripper has been a parlor game that both criminologists and laypersons have played. Was the murderer a member of royalty -- a prince or a duke with a boundless and ferocious hatred of women? One such candidate is Prince Albert Victor, a grandson to Queen Victoria, who, it is theorized, killed women as revenge for contracting a nasty case of the clap. Or maybe the Ripper was a Freemason, who killed the women as part of some ghastly Masonic rite? Then again, maybe Jack was an artist. Patricia Cornwell, a crime novelist and former medical examiner, argues that he was a painter named Walter Sickert, who in a plot straight out of the "The Da Vinci Code" inserted clues to the slayings into his paintings. Arguing against these and other popular Ripper candidates is FBI profiler John Douglas, who proposes that the killer was too disorganized in thought and behavior to have fit in among the upper classes. Douglas proposes that the killer was probably a laborer who blended in well with the poverty and wretched surroundings of Whitechapel, and was thus able to escape detection. At the time of the murders, hundreds of letters claiming to be from the real killer were sent to the authorities. Of the letters received, the "From Hell" letter, received on September 15, 1888, is deemed as the strongest candidate to have come from the actual killer. The text of the "From Hell" letter reads as follows: From hell Mr Lusk, Sor I send you half the Kidne I took from one women prasarved it for you tother piece I fried and ate it was very nise. I may send you the bloody knif that took it out if you only wate a whil longer signed Catch me when you can Mishter Lusk The letter was sent to George Lusk, head of the Whitechapel Vigilance committee, and did indeed contain half of a kidney. A test confirmed it was from an adult female suffering from Brights disease, a condition common among the alcoholic prostitutes of Whitechapel. But because of the limitations of forensic science in Victorian London, the kidney was never conclusively linked to any of the victims. Because so much time has passed, it is unlikely that the identity of Jack the Ripper will ever be proven. Barring an earth-shattering piece of new evidence, the name of the person who killed in frenzy on those London nights in 1888, and then faded into the night, will remain lost to history. Suggested Sites... Casebook: Jack the Ripper - a comprehensive summary of all things Jack. Whitechapel Society - a contemporary organization that studies the Ripper case. Crime Library - case facts about one of history's most notorious serial killers.

Directory categories: Jack the Ripper, UK Serial Killers, Victorian Era, "From Hell" Movie

Archived under: 19th Century, Crime, Criminals, History, Jack the Ripper, London, Murder, Mysteries, U.K. History

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