In 1917, Russia was collapsing. The Tsar had abdicated, World War I was bleeding the country dry, and revolution was in the air.

Then, suddenly, Vladimir Lenin—Russia’s most radical revolutionary—returned from exile.

How? Germany smuggled him back... (bookmark this): By 1917, Germany was still locked in World War I, fighting both France and Britain in the west and Russia in the east.

The German High Command knew:

If Russia stayed in the war, Germany would remain trapped in a two-front conflict.

Most soldiers serve for a few years.

He served in the French Army for 90 years.

Born in 1698, he fought under Louis XV, Louis XVI, and even Napoleon.

This is the incredible story of France’s most loyal soldier (you'll want to bookmark this): Jean Thurel was born in France under King Louis XIV, the Sun King.

By the time he was old enough to fight, France was engaged in constant warfare across Europe.

A European empire. An Asian rising power.

In 1904, the Russian and Japanese empires clashed in a brutal war that would shock the world—and announce Japan as a global power.

How did a small island nation defeat one of the largest empires on Earth... ? In 1904, the world still believed European empires were invincible.

That illusion died when Japan—a nation once closed off from the world—humiliated the Russian Empire in a brutal war.

It was the first time an Asian power defeated a European great power in modern history.

In 1683, the Ottomans stood at the gates of Vienna, ready to crush Christian Europe.

By 1699, they had lost Hungary, Transylvania, and their dream of European domination.

This is the story of the Great Turkish War—the campaign that ended Ottoman expansion forever (bookmark): For centuries, the Ottoman Empire expanded relentlessly into Europe.

From the fall of Constantinople (1453) to the conquest of Hungary (1526), they crushed every major Christian force in their way.

But in 1683, their luck ran out.

A country smaller than most cities—but it never fell.

While kingdoms crumbled and empires collapsed, San Marino remained independent for over 1,700 years. No invasions, no conquests—just survival.

How did this tiny republic outlast history’s greatest powers (bookmark this): A country the size of a small town, yet it survived centuries of war and conquest.

While empires rose and fell, San Marino—the world’s oldest republic—remained independent.

But how did this tiny mountain enclave resist popes, kings, and dictators?

In 1640, after 60 years under Spanish rule, the Portuguese rose in rebellion.

What followed was a brutal war of ambushes, sieges, and shifting alliances as Spain tried to crush them.

This is the story of the Acclamation War—Portugal’s fight for independence (bookmark this): For 60 years, Portugal was ruled by Spain.

From 1580 to 1640, the Iberian Union placed Portugal under the Spanish Habsburgs.

But in December 1640, Portugal had had enough—and launched a war for independence.

Walk through an old European city, and you’ll see buildings designed to inspire.

Walk through a modern city, and you’ll see concrete boxes.

What happened? Why did we stop building beautiful cities?

A thread on the decline of beauty in architecture: For most of history, architecture aimed at beauty.

Buildings weren’t just shelters—they were statements of culture, faith, and craftsmanship.

Look at a Gothic cathedral, a Venetian palazzo, or a Beaux-Arts train station. These were meant to impress, to uplift.

A Hungarian king backed by the Holy Roman Empire.

A rebellious duke supported by Byzantium.

The year is 1074, and the Battle of Mogyoród will determine who rules Hungary... (you'll want to bookmark this): In 1074, Hungary was torn apart by a brutal civil war.

Two brothers—King Solomon and Duke Géza—fought for the throne, dividing the kingdom.

Behind them stood two powerful empires: The Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.

In October 1813, Napoleon faced the largest battle in European history (until World War I).

Over 600,000 soldiers fought across the fields of Leipzig, Saxony.

This was the moment Napoleon’s empire began to unravel (you'll want to bookmark this): After his disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812, Napoleon was weakened but not finished.

He had lost over 400,000 men in the freezing Russian winter, but he rebuilt his army in a matter of months.

His goal? To maintain control of Germany and keep the Coalition divided.

In 941 AD, a fleet of Viking warships sailed toward Constantinople, ready to plunder the greatest city in Christendom.

They expected gold and glory.

Instead, they met fire—Greek fire... (you'll want to bookmark this): In 941 AD, a fleet of Rus' warriors—fierce Viking raiders from Kievan Rus'—sailed across the Black Sea to attack Constantinople, the greatest city in Christendom.

In 1565, the Ottoman Empire launched one of the largest invasions in history.

Their target? A tiny island defended by just 700 knights and a few thousand soldiers.

What happened next would shake the world (you'll want to bookmark this): By the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire was at its peak.

It controlled much of the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Balkans.

Christian Europe was on the defensive.

The year is 722.

A small band of Christian warriors, outnumbered and cornered in the mountains of northern Spain, prepares for battle.

Their leader, Pelayo, has no empire, no great army—just faith and determination.

What happens next changes history forever: In 711, the Muslim armies of the Umayyad Caliphate swept through Spain, crushing the Visigothic Kingdom.

Within a few years, nearly the entire Iberian Peninsula fell under Islamic rule.

October 7, 1571—Islamic conquest seemed unstoppable.

A massive Ottoman fleet sailed to crush Christian Europe. No one had beaten them at sea.

Then, at Lepanto, 200 galleys of the Holy League stood in their way.

What happened next changed history forever: By the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire ruled the Mediterranean.

Their navy was the most powerful in the world, and their armies had taken Constantinople, much of the Balkans, and parts of Hungary.

In 732 AD, a Muslim army swept into France.

Nothing had stopped them before. Kingdoms had fallen. Cities had burned.

Then, at Tours, one man stood in their way—Charles Martel.

What happened next decided the fate of Europe: In 732 AD, a Muslim army from the Umayyad Caliphate invaded the Frankish Kingdom.

Their goal was not just conquest but domination—Europe lay open before them.

They came to conquer Europe.

150,000 Ottoman soldiers stood at the gates of Vienna, ready to break through...

Then, on September 12, 1683, 20,000 horsemen appeared on the horizon—the largest cavalry charge in history.

What happened next changed the course of history forever: The year was 1683.

The Ottoman Empire, at the height of its power, had set its sights on Vienna.

If the city fell, the road to Western Europe lay open. The stakes could not have been higher.

The ancients knew things we’ve forgotten.

Concepts that shaped great civilizations but are missing from modern life.

Here are 33 ancient ideas we should bring back (you'll want to bookmark this): 1. Arete (Greece) – Excellence as a way of life. The goal wasn’t just to be good at one thing but to develop mind, body, and character fully.

2. Xenia (Greece) – Hospitality as a sacred duty. Treat strangers well, because one day you’ll be the stranger.

Men used to have spaces. Now they have the internet.

The Greeks had gymnasiums.
The Vikings had longhouses.
The Samurai had dōjōs.

Here are 15 ancient spaces where brotherhood, skill, and strength were forged (you'll want to bookmark this): The Greek Gymnasium

In ancient Greece, the gymnasium wasn’t just for exercise.

It was where men debated philosophy, trained for war, and built friendships. A man didn’t just sharpen his body—he sharpened his mind.

Most people think of Da Vinci as just an artist.
But he was much more than that.

He was a scientist, engineer, anatomist, and inventor—one of the most curious minds to ever live.

50 lessons from Da Vinc (you'll want to bookmark this): 1. Curiosity is a superpower—never stop asking why.

2. Learn from everything; the world is your teacher.

3. Art and science aren’t opposites—they’re two sides of the same coin.

4. The best ideas come from connecting unrelated things.

Most people have no idea how much Aquinas shaped Western thought.

His insights on truth, virtue, and the good life are more relevant than ever.

Here are 50 lessons from one of history’s greatest minds: 1. Truth exists, and we can know it.

2. Faith and reason are not enemies.

3. The universe is ordered, not chaotic.

4. Evil is not a thing, but the absence of good.

5. Happiness is found in knowing and loving God.

Western civilization didn’t fall overnight—it’s been dying for decades.

20 brutal truths about the West you need to accept (you'll want to bookmark this):

1. Weak men didn’t ruin the West—strong men chose comfort over duty and let it happen. 2. A civilization that stops believing in itself is already dead.

3. The West abandoned its traditions, then acted surprised when nothing filled the void.

4. You can’t have freedom without responsibility—most people only wanted the first half.

Mozart was a musical genius, but he was also a passionate reader.

There are 10 books he couldn’t live without—works that inspired his creativity, wit, and philosophy on life.

Mozart’s ultimate reading list… (you'll want to bookmark this): "Orlando Furioso" by Ludovico Ariosto

An epic tale of knights and love, this 16th-century masterpiece sparked Mozart’s imagination and likely influenced the fantastical elements in The Magic Flute.