HistoryWow

Not pushing your luck is often applied to one particular number. How is the accuracy of this perspective reflected in the voyages of two English naval adventurers?

Answer: Famed explorer and cartographer Captain James Cook had two very successful voyages before, despite the advice of many, embarking on his third voyage which resulted in him being killed by the inhabitants of the Hawaiian islands in 1779. Sixteenth century naval commander John Hawkins first two voyages to the Caribbean were successful, but disaster struck on the third.

Source: Modern World Encyclopedia

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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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A short, sharp hit of history in video format. Acclaimed Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde was the toast of London society in the 1890s until things came decidedly unstuck through an association with a young British aristocrat, Lord Alfred Douglas, known as ‘Bosie’.

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I was born in Huanggang, China, in 1908.
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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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