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In June 1941, Soviet archaeologists excavated the tomb of Mongol Emperor Tamerlane (1336-1405). Why was this a bad idea?

Answer: Local Mongols considered that any who excavated such a sacred tomb would be cursed. In one way they were right: on the same day the tomb was opened Hitler’s armies invaded the Soviet Union (22 June 1941).

Source: The Forensic Historian by Robert C. Williams

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1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

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“In Russia a man is a called reactionary if he objects to having his property stolen and his wife and children murdered.”

Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman

Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

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HistoryWow’s Featured Historical Figure of Note

Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.

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