Tony Dunnell

Apr 10, 2024 | historyfacts.com | Tony Dunnell

The British nobility is divided into tiers or ranks, known as the peerage. The roots of this hierarchical system date back around a thousand years; it began to gain a defined structure (as with many things in British history) after William I conquered England in 1066. The peerage has five ranks: baron, viscount, earl, marquess, and duke, in ascending order. And within each tier, superiority is given to the holder of the oldest peerage.

Feb 22, 2024 | historyfacts.com | Famous Figures |Leonardo da Vinci |Tony Dunnell

Muhammad Ali once , “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” Like Ali and his own best pal, photographer   Howard Bingham, some friendships in history have been formed by figures with wildly different backgrounds and career choices. The following friendships are as surprising as they were genuine — though they were not all long-lasting.

Oct 13, 2023 | historyfacts.com | Tony Dunnell

Humans and animals have fought side by side since prehistoric times. Dogs have long been our faithful companions in times of peace and conflict, while horses, camels, elephants, and other mounts helped win many of the most important battles in history. In modern times, particularly during World War I and World War II, animals played a vital role in active combat, transportation, and communication — not to mention the numerous animal mascots who helped keep morale high in the most testing of times.

Sep 7, 2023 | historyfacts.com | Tony Dunnell

The Central Intelligence Agency has its fingers in many pies, from counterterrorism to offensive cyber operations and covert paramilitary actions. The mere mention of the CIA brings with it a certain mystique, conjuring up images of secret agents, globe-trotting spies, and clandestine activities. It’s no surprise, then, that the agency has featured heavily in numerous Hollywood movies, from Spy Game and Zero Dark Thirty to The Bourne Identity and Bridge of Spies.

Sep 7, 2023 | historyfacts.com | Tony Dunnell

Humans have been fascinated with flight for a long, long time. The ancient Chinese built the first kites, mimicking the shapes of birds, as far back as 475 BCE. Around 300 BCE, the ancient Greek mathematician Archytas built a steam-propelled flying pigeon. And then there was Bladud, king of the Britons, who, according to legend, was so obsessed with the idea of flight that around 850 BCE he donned a pair of homemade wings, jumped off a building, and promptly fell to his death.