The Normandy Invasion
Commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day with Britannica
Secrets Buried in Sand
The mysteries of ancient Egypt only seem to deepen with each new archaeological find. In the past few weeks, an ancient Egyptian treatment for cancer came to light; a possible explanation for the transport of pyramid stones emerged; and a sarcophagus belonging to Ramses II was announced hiding in plain sight. Taken together, the stories testify to the enduring allure of a civilization so advanced that we’re still trying to solve its puzzles thousands of years later.
The History and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt
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What Made Ancient Egypt So Successful?
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Mikhail Kokhanchikov/Dreamstime.com
Who Really Built the Pyramids of Giza?
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The Art of Eggs
Today is National Egg Day, a celebration of a highly versatile source of protein. But they’re more than just food—eggs can also serve a higher purpose.
As a symbol
Since antiquity, eggs have symbolized renewed life. Pre-Christian Europeans viewed eggs as a symbol of the regeneration that comes with springtime. The practice was eventually adopted by Christians, and today Easter eggs are decorated during Lent as a symbol of resurrection.
As a canvas
Easter eggs were on the mind of Alexander III when he commissioned Peter Carl Fabergé, jeweler and goldsmith to the Russian imperial court, to make an elaborate jewel of an Easter egg for his wife, Maria Fyodorovna. Over the years, 50 Fabergé eggs were produced for the Romanovs, and today they are highly prized artworks, with some valued at more than $30 million.
As a medium
Painters have used eggs as binders for applying pigments. The pigment color was produced by ground-up materials found in nature—everything from lapis lazuli to scale insects was crushed, then mixed with egg yolk to produce egg tempera. In a similar vein, Louis-Désiré Blanquart-Évrard invented a photographic process that used albumen (the clear gelatinous part around the yolk) in 1850, and it became the most popular method for photographic printing in the 19th century.
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The history of sneakers
Trainers, gym shoes, runners, tennis shoes. Whatever you call them, these simple shoes have become ubiquitous.
Colossal squid
It has the biggest eyes in the world, and can grow to more than 14 feet (4.2 meters), and 1,100 pounds (499 kg).
Birkin bag
Produced by French retailer Hermès, this exclusive handbag is named after the actress and singer Jane Birkin.
America Ferrera
This actress was the first Latina and youngest person to win an Emmy for best lead in a comedy series.
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