On May 21, 1539, it was reported that Estevanico, a Black Muslim explorer from Morocco, was killed by Native people in what’s now New Mexico — marking the end of one of the most remarkable and overlooked journeys in early American history. Estevanico wasn’t just another name on a map — he was the first known African explorer of the American Southwest, and he had traveled more of the continent than most Europeans of his time.

He originally came to the Americas as an enslaved man, brought along on the ill-fated Narváez expedition in 1527. After that mission went south, he survived years in the wild alongside Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and two others, crossing from Florida to Texas to Mexico, learning Native languages and customs along the way. His skills as a translator, guide, and negotiator made him invaluable — and eventually, he was sent ahead of a new Spanish expedition to scout the legendary Seven Cities of Gold, said to be ruled by the Muisca people.

That expedition was led by Fray Marcos de Niza, who sent Estevanico out in front with a group of Native allies. But when Estevanico reached the Zuni pueblo of Hawikuh, things went bad. According to reports, the Zuni were suspicious of his demands and symbols of authority, and they killed him, though the exact details are murky. Some say he may have survived, gone into hiding, or even stayed with a local tribe — but history records May 21, 1539 as the day of his death.

Though his name’s not as well known as Columbus or Coronado, Estevanico’s journey broke boundaries — not just across the land, but through race, culture, and class. From enslaved man to trailblazer, he played a key role in exploring the early American frontier.

On May 21, 1932, Amelia Earhart made history by becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She took off from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, in a bright red Lockheed Vega 5B, bound for Paris. The weather was rough, and she didn’t make it to her exact destination, but after 14 hours and 56 minutes, she touched down in a field near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and proved to the world that she had the guts and the skill to fly with the best.

This wasn’t just a stunt. Five years earlier, in 1927, Charles Lindbergh had made his famous solo flight — and Amelia was determined to show that women could conquer the skies too. She faced icy winds, mechanical issues, and a leaking fuel tank, all while flying over open water with no radio contact. At one point, her plane even caught fire briefly, but she kept her cool and pushed through.

When she landed, she didn’t just break records — she broke barriers. Amelia became a global icon overnight, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, and becoming a symbol of women’s independence and courage during a time when the world didn’t expect women to be piloting anything, let alone crossing oceans alone. She proved that aviation wasn’t just for the boys — it was for the bold.

That solo flight in 1932 wasn’t the end of her story, but it was the moment she truly soared into legend. Earhart kept pushing boundaries until her mysterious disappearance in 1937, but her legacy still flies high. On that cold spring day, she didn’t just fly a plane — she flew straight through the limits society tried to put on her.

Ancient Healthy Beer🍻
In ancient Mesopotamia, if you wanted to stay alive, you were better off sipping beer than water — because back then, beer was actually safer. Water sources were often contaminated with bacteria, waste, or worse, and there was no concept of filtration or germ theory yet. But beer? It was boiled during brewing, mildly alcoholic, and had natural antibacterial properties — which made it a surprisingly clean and reliable source of hydration. People of all ages drank it daily, often in the form of a thick, porridge-like brew with a straw. It was so central to life that wages were sometimes paid in beer, and the goddess Ninkasi even had her own beer hymn (basically the first written recipe). So in Mesopotamia, cracking open a cold one wasn’t just a lifestyle — it was public health. 🍺👨‍🌾

Spartans vs Holiday’s🎉
During the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE), the fearsome Spartan army — known for discipline, toughness, and all-around battlefield excellence — had one big exception to their warlike reputation: they refused to fight during certain religious festivals. Most famously, they skipped early action at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE (during earlier Persian wars) because they were observing the Carneia, a sacred festival honoring the god Apollo. According to Spartan law, no military campaigns could begin during this time — not even if Athens was being invaded. During the Peloponnesian War against Athens, this tradition stuck, occasionally affecting how and when the Spartans would engage in combat or even send reinforcements. In short, for all their warlike glory, Spartans took their holidays seriously. If the gods were being honored, the spears stayed sheathed.🛡️📜

11 Hole In Ones⛳️
According to North Korean state media, the very first time Kim Jong-il played golf, he didn’t just do well — he reportedly shot 11 holes-in-one… on an 18-hole course. That would make him the greatest golfer in human history. By a mile.
(For reference, Tiger Woods has 3 holes-in-one. In his entire professional career.) The story, released in the 1990s, claimed Kim’s minders were so amazed by his performance that they burst into spontaneous applause after every shot. He allegedly retired from golf immediately after — because, obviously, there was nothing left to prove. Of course, no one outside North Korea believes this story, and it fits neatly into a long tradition of over-the-top propaganda meant to portray the ruling Kim family as superhuman.🏌️‍♂️

Dali’s Scuba Lecture🤿
In true Salvador Dalí fashion, when he showed up to give a lecture in 1936 at the London International Surrealist Exhibition, he didn’t wear a suit and tie. Nope — he wore a full deep-sea diving suit, complete with helmet, boots, and air hose. Why? Dalí said it symbolized how deep he was about to go into the unconscious mind. Very on-brand. Very surrealist. The problem? He forgot to leave enough air.
Partway through his talk, he started gasping and flailing inside the helmet — and the audience thought it was just part of the performance. It wasn’t. He was actually suffocating, and had to be rescued by someone with a wrench.🪖🖌️

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