History Mystery
The unknown whereabouts and supposed magical powers of this biblical artifact inspired the plot of the first Indiana Jones film.
Ark of the Covenant
Among the most common archaeological sites in the American West are these two types of establishments. Alcohol and prostitutes characterized them both.
Saloons and brothels
Viewing itself as a direct continuation of the ancient Roman Empire, this medieval state developed its own, more Greek-inspired culture over time. The last of its rulers to speak Latin was Justinian I.
Byzantium
Mesoamerica: Rose 1428, fell 1521
Aztec Empire (Triple Alliance)
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe, an occasion known by this name.
VE Day
In 1971, this still unidentified man hijacked a commercial aircraft, ransomed $200,000, and parachuted off into the night—and into popular legend.
D. B. Cooper
Western towns which sprang up quickly, usually after the discovery of precious metals, are sometimes known by this explosive name.
Boomtowns
This king of the Franks was crowned “Emperor of the Romans” on Christmas Day, 800, by Pope Leo III.
Charlemagne
West Africa: Rose c. 1235, fell 1610
Mali Empire
In the year 2076, the United States will experience this: the 300th year after its initial founding.
Tricentennial
This infamous but unidentified serial killer was active in London during the late 19th century. His targets were generally prostitutes.
Jack the Ripper
This game series, developed by Rockstar Games, is set in the American West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It features outlaw protagonists John Marston and Arthur Morgan.
Red Dead Redemption
This nominal successor state to the Roman Empire, first consolidated under the Ottonian dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries, was famously mocked by Voltaire.
Holy Roman Empire
North Africa & Arabia: Rose 909, fell 1171
Fatimid Caliphate
This Roman emperor, the third of the five “Good Emperors” (succeeding Hadrian and preceding Marcus Aurelius), celebrated Rome’s 900th anniversary in AD 147.
Antoninus Pius
The location of the tomb of this prominent historical figure, the famous tamer of Bucephalus, is still unknown.
Alexander the Great
Native Americans of the Great Plains had their livelihoods irreparably damaged by settler policies and practices which nearly resulted in this animal’s extinction.
Bison (American Buffalo)
Italian nationalism prompted the annexation of this North African territory, an ex-Roman colony, in 1912.
Libya
Japan: Rose 1603, fell 1868
Tokugawa shogunate
On wedding anniversaries of particular significance (25th, 50th, etc.), Catholics can apply for this special recognition from the Church.
Papal blessing
Many theories have been proposed, including the mysterious “Sea Peoples,” to explain this relatively sudden collapse of civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean around the year 1200 BC.
Bronze Age Collapse
The concepts of Manifest Destiny and the “taming of the West” were popularized by this late 19th century historian. His eponymous thesis influenced scholars and laypeople alike for generations.
Frederick Jackson Turner
This Eastern European city was claimed to be the “Third Rome,” in part because its ruler married the niece of the last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI.
Muscovy (Moscow)
South Asia: Rose c. 240, fell c. 579
Gupta Empire
The Islamic calendar (years marked AH) begins with this event, when Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina. 2025, or AH 1446-7, is the 1403rd anniversary of this event.
The Hijrah