On June 13, 1373, England and Portugal signed what’s now recognized as the oldest still-standing diplomatic treaty in the world — the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance. Known formally as the Treaty of London, it was sealed between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand I of Portugal. The treaty promised perpetual friendship, mutual aid, and military support between the two kingdoms. It wasn’t just talk — this alliance would go on to survive centuries of wars, dynasties, revolutions, and shifting global empires.

The deal came at a time when both nations had strategic reasons to unite. England was deeply involved in the Hundred Years’ War with France, and Portugal was looking to fend off Castilian influence from neighboring Spain. By aligning with England, Portugal strengthened its position on the Iberian Peninsula. The treaty ensured that the two countries would support each other not just on land, but also across their growing naval empires.

What makes the 1373 treaty stand out isn’t just its wording — it's the fact that it’s been honored time and time again. Portugal supported Britain during the Napoleonic Wars, and Britain defended Portuguese independence more than once. Even in World War I and World War II, the alliance played a subtle but important role, with Portugal offering safe harbors and strategic cooperation.

So on June 13, 1373, two kingdoms signed a pact that outlasted kings, empires, and centuries of global change. The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance still technically stands today — not just as a historical relic, but as a symbol of how long-lasting diplomacy can actually be when both sides decide to mean it.

On June 13, 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department finally put an end to one of the weirdest chapters in its history — mailing babies by parcel post. Yes, seriously. After parcel post service launched in 1913, some families realized it was cheaper to mail a child to a relative than to buy a train ticket. As long as the child was under the 50-pound weight limit, technically, it was allowed — and some postal workers, especially in rural areas, went along with it.

The children weren’t tossed in mailbags or stuffed in crates. Instead, they were often “mailed” with postage attached to their clothing, and handed off to trustworthy mail carriers, usually friends or neighbors. In one famous case, a couple in Ohio mailed their 10-month-old baby to his grandmother — about a mile away — for just 15 cents in stamps (plus insurance). The press loved it, and stories of "parcel post babies" spread quickly.

Though the Post Office quietly discouraged the practice, it didn’t officially outlaw it for seven years. It wasn’t until June 13, 1920, that postal regulations were updated to clearly state: no more mailing human beings. After that, babies were officially off the mailing list, and the odd loophole was finally closed.

So while it sounds like urban legend, it's true — for a brief moment in U.S. history, it was perfectly legal (and occasionally practical) to ship your toddler like a package. But on June 13, 1920, the Post Office decided enough was enough… and put an end to the country’s strangest delivery service.

Korean Turtle Ship🐢
The Korean turtle ship, or geobukseon, was a revolutionary warship used during the late 16th century, most famously by Admiral Yi Sun-sin during battles against Japanese forces. Its roof was covered in a curved wooden deck lined with iron spikes, making it nearly impossible for enemy soldiers to board without injury. The ship also featured cannon ports, a dragon-shaped head that could emit smoke, and a low profile that helped it move swiftly and strike hard. With its mix of armor, mobility, and psychological intimidation, the turtle ship became a symbol of Korean naval dominance — and one of the earliest examples of ironclad warfare. 🐢⚓🔥

A Designer Death💀
According to some ancient sources, Cleopatra VII tested a variety of poisons on condemned prisoners to observe how quickly and painfully each one acted, all in preparation for choosing the most dignified way to die. She reportedly ruled out substances that caused convulsions, vomiting, or disfigurement, seeking a method that was swift and serene. Eventually, she settled on the bite of an Egyptian snake—likely a cobra—believing it would cause a painless, graceful death. Whether this story is entirely accurate or part of later myth-making, it reflects Cleopatra’s legendary control over her image, even in death. 🐍👑⚰️

Star Wars Execution🍿
The last person executed by guillotine was Hamida Djandoubi in France, on September 10, 1977 — the same year Star Wars hit theaters. Convicted of torture and murder, Djandoubi was executed in Marseille, marking the final use of a method long associated with the French Revolution. Though it sounds like something from a distant past, the guillotine remained France’s official execution tool until capital punishment was abolished in 1981. So while audiences were watching lightsaber duels in theaters, France was still using a real-life blade of justice. ⚔️🇫🇷🎥

Moby Dick Origins🐳
In 1804, the Whaleship Essex was struck and sunk in the Pacific Ocean by an enraged sperm whale, an event that would later inspire Moby-Dick. After the attack, the surviving crew drifted in small boats for over 90 days, facing starvation, dehydration, and madness. With no rescue in sight, they eventually resorted to cannibalism, eating the bodies of their dead shipmates — and in at least one case, drawing lots to decide who would be killed and eaten. Only eight out of twenty crew members survived. It remains one of the most harrowing real-life survival stories in maritime history. 🐳🚢☠️

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