npr:

criminalwisdom:

The Gentleman’s Guide To Amputation
Via Dangerous Minds

For the real deal see our previous post: THE GENERAL METHOD FOR AMPUTATIONS

I think I feel faint. — tanya b.

Wtf.

(Source: criminalwisdom)

theweekmagazine:

In 1860, an 11-year-old girl wrote to Abe Lincoln, suggesting he grow a beard. He not only responded, he obliged.

“Hon A B Lincoln…

Dear Sir

My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin’s. I am a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try to get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chautauqua County New York. 

I must not write any more answer this letter right off Good bye

Grace Bedell”

Lincoln responded a few days later: 

“Miss Grace Bedell

My dear little Miss 

Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received — I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters — I have three sons — one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age — They, with their mother, constitute my whole family — As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now? 

Your very sincere well wisher,

A. Lincoln”

While he made no promises about the beard to Bedell, he stopped shaving and allowed the beard to grow not long after their exchange and was elected as the 16th president of the United States a few weeks later. On his inaugural train ride from Illinois to Washington, D.C., the president-elect stopped in Bedell’s hometown of Westfield, N.Y., and asked to meet her.

(Source: theweek.com, via pbsthisdayinhistory)

guardian:

‘Kim made this newspaper’s editorial board swoon with his impeccable fashion sense, chic short hairstyle, and, of course, that famous smile.’ 

The online version of China’s Communist party newspaper has hailed a report by The Onion naming North Korean dictator as the Sexiest Man Alive – not realising it is satire.

Photograph: Kns/AFP/Getty Images

That is one handsome picture

pbsthisdayinhistory:

November 26, 1922: Archaeologists Enter King Tutankhamun’s Tomb

On this day in 1922, British archaeologists Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon entered King Tutankhamun’s tomb. They were the first humans to enter the tomb in more than 3,000 years. King Tutankhamun’s sealed burial chambers were found intact and included a gold coffin containing the mummy of the teenage king.

The excavation process of the four-room tomb took several years and uncovered an incredible collection of thousands of objects, which shed light on the culture and history of ancient Egypt.

Explore King Tut’s magnificent tomb with Secrets of Pharaohs’ interactive tour.

Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Imagining the moment when he opens that coffin

npr:

Nutmeg is a feel-good holiday spice found in cakes and cider, and even spiking our spinach, if we’re lucky. But it once caused serious bloodshed and may have even been a reason the Dutch were willing to part with Manhattan back in the 1600s.

No Innocent Spice: The Secret Story Of Nutmeg, Life And Death : The Salt

Photo: Wiki Commons

newshour:

During the Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, lanterns are launched into the night sky in the belief that grief and misfortune will fly away with them.

Photo by Hong Wu/Getty Images

(via npr)

pbsthisdayinhistory:

November 26, 1922: Charles Schulz Is Born

On this day in 1922, American cartoonist Charles Schulz was born. Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts became one of the most popular and influential in the history of comics. At the peak of its popularity, Peanuts was published daily in 2,600 papers in 75 countries in 21 languages.

To learn more about the life and career of the beloved cartoonist, explore American Masters’ timeline for Charles Schulz.

Photo: Library of Congress

guardian:

Happy world toilet day! See our gallery of public poo, crap compost and a golden turd 

Photograph: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/IRIN

(Source: )