Hammurabi's Code

Hammurabi's Code is the first known written system of justice.

Around the year 1792 BC, a king named Hammurabi ruled the Babylonian Empire. Hammurabi wrote down a series of laws he wanted people to follow-not because they were forced to-but because the laws were right and just. These laws were called the Code of Hammurabi.

Wanderlust

Women and children searched for nuts and berries while men hunted for meat.

The first nomads lived thousands of years ago. Nomads were people who wandered from place to place in search of food.

America's First Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo opened on July 1, 1874.

The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo in America. It's still open today and is Philadelphia's most popular family attraction.

Look! Up in the Sky!

Charles Edward Taylor always wanted to learn to fly but he never did.

Charles Edward Taylor built the first airplane engine in 1903.

Snap Crackle and Pop

Rice Krispies are known as Rice Bubbles in Australia.

Snap! Crackle! and Pop! were the very first cartoon characters the Kellogg Co. created to represent one of their products. The characters were introduced in the 1930's.

Working Girl

artist Barbie

Barbie has held more than 100 careers since she was first introduced by Mattel in 1959.
 

Lady Long Legs

The Statue of Liberty Stands 305 feet, 6 inches tall.

The Statue of Liberty is the tallest statue in the United States.

Black Figure Pottery

A simple horse silhouette decorates this krater.

The Ancient Greeks enjoyed painting. Many of their black-figure pottery paintings are on display in museums around the world.

Bulletproof Smile

Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503.

The Mona Lisa is displayed behind bulletproof glass to protect it from vandalism, as the painting has been hit with acid and stones in the past.

 

Roman Dishwashers

Roman woman washing dinner dishes

The ancient Romans washed dishes by rubbing them with sand then rinsing them in water.

Signing The Magna Carta

King John signs the Magna Carta in June of 1215

The Magna Carta limited the power of the King of England. It guaranteed the rights of the average citizen.

The First TV Commercial

TV ad for the Bulova Watch Co.

The first legal tv commercial aired in 1941. It was ten seconds long and cost the Bulova Watch Company nine dollars. You can watch the tv ad below.

Singing Cowboys

Cattle getting lulled to sleep

 

Cowboys often sang to their cattle at night to soothe them and to help prevent a stampede.

The Gray House?

Can you imagine our modern-day White House gray?


Reportedly, the White House was originally gray but was painted white to cover fire damage that occurred to it during the war of 1812.

The World's First Teddy Bear Museum

Teddy bears on display

The world's first teddy bear museum opened in Petersfield, Hampshire, England in 1984.

Chess Anyone?

Egyptian women enjoying a board game

 

Just as we do today, many ancient Egyptians enjoyed playing board games.

Those Smelly Scottish Castles

Dogs pick the scraps off the castle's table.

 

Life in a Scottish castle wasn't exactly a bed of roses. Castles were often smelly. Dogs ate scraps off the table and the stench of the toilets could cause you to lose your lunch.

Scylla the Sea Monster

Scylla can't wait to snatch a sailor off this passing ship.

According to Greek mythology, Scylla was a sea monster with six heads and twelve feet. She lived in a cave on a cliff, snatching up sailors off the decks of their ships and devouring them for snacks.