IN 1911, an American explorer, Hiram Bingham, re-discovered the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, helping to popularize this site, which today is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Hiram Bingham, at Harvard, with wife Alfreda Church built on the former site of the Coricancha, Cuzco, Peru Francisco Pizarro Capture of Atahualpa by Pizarro at Cajamarca Execution of Atahualpa by Pizarro, Cajamarca Sacsayhuaman fortress ruins, Cuzco

IN 1911, an American explorer, Hiram Bingham, re-discovered the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, helping to popularize this site, which today is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Hiram Bingham, 1912 Machu Pichu, Hayna Picchu in the background Machu Picchu, photographed by Hiram Bingham Hiram Bingham, Air Corps during WWI Bingham, US Senator Bingham with other members of President’s Coolidge’s committee on Aviation . Hiram Bingham Grave, Arlington National Cemetery

The triumph, tragedy and bizarre secrets of one of the 20th century’s most prominent figures. Lindbergh with his father CA Lindbergh Lindbergh as an Air Army Cadet Anne Morrow as a teenager Lindbergh with The Spirit of St. Louis The Spirit of St. Louis at the Smithsonian Institute Lindbergh at Croydon, 1927 Anne Morrow Lindbergh Lindbergh estate, Highfields, now a youth rehabilitation center, Hopewell, NJ Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr. Lindbergh baby, cover of time Magazine Wanted poster With Goering in Germany, 1936

The triumph, tragedy and bizarre secrets of one of the 20th century’s most prominent figures. Bruno Richard Hauptman John Condon on the witness stand Lindbergh on the witness stand Gasoline can which contained Lindbergh ransom money found in Hauptmann’s garage Norman Schwarzkopf, NJ State Police, and father of future Desert Storm commander Lindbergh in the Pacific, WW II Anne and Charles Lindbergh with JFK, a politician that Lindbergh admired Lindbergh, later in life, in the Philippines Lindbergh grave, Kipahalu, Maui, Hawaii

In 1963, two British criminals masterminded the robbery of 2.6 million pounds in cash from a Royal Mail Train, an amount worth 45 million pounds today. The robbery and its aftermath caused a nationwide sensation. Bruce Reynolds Gordon Goody Recent photo, Sears Crossing Bridge #127, aka Bridego Bridge Ronnie Biggs, mug shot Ronnie Biggs and Bruce Reynolds, sons Michael Biggs and Nick Reynolds

In 1963, two British criminals masterminded the robbery of 2.6 million pounds in cash from a Royal Mail Train, an amount worth 45 million pounds today. The robbery and its aftermath caused a nationwide sensation. Detective Tommy Butler Leatherslade Farm Judge Edmund Davies in robes Plaque at Crewe railroad station commemorating Jack Mills and David Whitby. Charmain Biggs, later years Gordon Goody, later years Grave of Bruce Reynolds, bust sculpted by his son, Nick in Highgate cemetery.

Acclaimed in his lifetime for his remarkable literary career, Charles Dickens’ private life was wracked by dysfunction, scandal and the cruelty he inflicted on his wife and his children. Charles Dickens, as a younger man Catherine Dickens, 1838 Ebenezer Scrooge and Marley’s ghost, A Christmas Carol Grip, the Raven from Barnaby Rudge Freddy Bartholomew, in the MGM version of David Copperfield Dickens, later in life

Acclaimed in his lifetime for his remarkable literary career, Charles Dickens’ private life was wracked by dysfunction, scandal and the cruelty he inflicted on his wife and his children. Portrait of Dickens, circa 1850 Catherine Hogarth Dickens, 1852 Georgina Hogarth and Dickens’ daughter Mamie Charles Dickens, far right in hat, with daughters, Georgina on steps and guests at Gad’s Hill Place. Grave of Charles Dickens, Westminster Abbey. Catherine Dickens and daughter Dora’s grave, Newgate Cemetery, London

The remarkable story of the courage and suffering of the passengers aboard the Mayflower and the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. Postcard of the Mayflower On November 11, 1620, a 100 foot long cargo ship called the Mayflower entered what is today known as Provincetown Harbor, virtually on the tip of present day Cape Cod.  This was the culmination of over two months at sea for 102 immigrants, originally from England, some of this contingent intent on establishing their own religious settlement in the New World, free from persecution from the British crown.  Their Atlantic crossing was difficult, their time spent mostly below deck, lashed by gale driven waves that left them and their clothes and quarters in a miserably damp and chilly condition, their diet of hardtack, dried meat and watered down beer little comfort. Artist’s rendition William Bradford William Bradford was born in March of 1590, in Austerfield, Yorkshire, England.  The exact date is unknown although he was baptized on March 19 of that same year.  Many members of his family died when he was a child, and Bradford was orphaned by the age of seven.  Sent to live with two uncles, he spent most of his time as a farm laborer and his leisure activity consisted of reading and studying the Bible and other classic philosophical tracts.  Intellectually curious, he was exposed to various sermons of area preachers who radically suggested that the Church of England was still inappropriately influenced by Catholicism.   Edward Winslow Figuring he couldn’t just abandon the Billington boy, Bradford ordered ten armed men, including Edward Winslow, to load up the small sailing ship used during exploration, take Squanto and another native interpreter, Tokamahamon and head to eastern Cape Cod and Nauset territory.  A storm forced the boat to come ashore at what is now Barnstable, Massachusetts, on the northern shore of the Cape, about halfway across the lower portion of the peninsula.  Mayflower voyage, passengers praying during the Atlantic crossing The passengers were situated on the deck immediately located underneath the open air of the main deck.  While they could hear waves and smell sea water, they were unable to view the horizon or the surface of the sea around them.  Tossed practically on top of each other in makeshift compartments created by cloth curtains, the Separatist contingent strived to get along with each other, realizing that the stress of the voyage would only be increased by personality conflicts.   Signing the Mayflower Compact This premature landing outside of territory designated by British authorities presented an immediate problem.  Since the Stranger contingent on board was inclined to dispute any attempts at the Separatists controlling the governance of the colonists once they landed, assertions were made that as a result of the ship landing in an undesignated territory, they were free to do as they wished and were not obliged to respect any other authority.  To address this situation several charismatic individuals on board the ship composed an agreement that set out specifically what laws and guidelines should be followed by the community.

The remarkable story of the courage and suffering of the passengers aboard the Mayflower and the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. Artist’s rendition of Samoset entering Plymouth Colony On March 16, the inevitable occurred, although the incident did not unfold as the settlers previously feared.  As described in a pamphlet entitled, “Mourt’s Relation,” a description of the first year of Plymouth Colony, co-written by William Bradford and another settler named Edward Winslow, with work suspended for a regularly scheduled meeting about specific plans for the defense of the settlement, the meeting participants became aware of a native looking down at their group from a nearby hill.  This had happened previously, but whenever an inhabitant gestured or even attempted to make contact with these previous visitors, the natives fled.  This time, however, the lone native began to purposefully walk directly towards the settlement.  Without hesitation, he walked past the crude lane of houses and seemed headed directly towards the shelter that protected the colony’s women and children during such an emergency.  Without overt hostility, some of the armed settlers got in his way and made it clear he could not enter the shelter.  Instead of bristling or running away, this remarkably tall, long haired individual dressed only in an animal skin loin cloth stood to his full height, saluted and probably understanding the effect he would elicit cheerfully spoke the words, “Hello, English!” Fanciful artist’s rendition of the Pilgrims landing in Massachusetts Sunday was of course another leisurely day, but on Monday, they began to reconnoiter the harbor in earnest.  It was certainly deep enough for a ship the size of the Mayflower, and eventually, upon landing on shore they found large areas suitable for agriculture, fresh water in several streams and no obvious signs of any kind of recent habitation by natives.  Additionally, although at least one sizable boulder was certainly situated in the area, there was no mention by Bradford in either of his two personal accounts of this excursion of a landing assisted by a large rock.  This seems to have been an invention of subsequent residents, much to the delight of future chambers of commerce.  Today, an elaborate, arched, templelike edifice encloses a rather unimpressive large rock embossed with the date of 1620, the alleged landing spot of America’s Pilgrims.   The Mayflower II, a reconstruction of the original ship With the onset of Spring and milder weather, the establishment of at least an initial footprint of a settlement and the astonishing new relationship with a powerful local ally, Captain Christopher Jones decided that this was the appropriate time to sail back to England.  After all of its cargo was removed and brought ashore, rocks were added for ballast and, on April 5, the Mayflower slowly made its way out of the harbor, an introspective moment for all of those left on shore.  Because of the seasonably calm weather and westerly prevailing winds that propelled the ship instead of impeding the craft, It took only a month for the Mayflower to reach its home port and Jones’ residence on the outskirts of London at Rotherhithe.  For a brief period he and his ship continued to participate in transporting goods like sugar between England and neighboring countries across the English Channel.  But Jones’ health, permanently impaired by his Atlantic crossing with the Plymouth settlers,