“Black Hawk Down”

The humanitarian effort to provide food for starving Somalians turned into a military disaster for the US.

Helicopter wreckage from Somalia on display at the North Caroline History Museum

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

When the colony of Roanoke was founded in North Carolina, it was the first attempt at establishing a permanent English settlement in North America. But the expedition ended in failure and mystery.

A pottery fragment from the Roanoke site

Edgar Allan Poe’s Grave

Edgar Allan Poe may be one of the most significant and well-known writers of the 19th century, and his influence can still be seen today. Poe was one of the first Americans to attempt to make a living solely through writing (though, as he lived poor and died penniless, one could argue how successful that was). But he helped establish the literary genres of science fiction and gothic horror, while virtually single-handedly inventing the detective mystery. He popularized the short-story format, and also wrote in poetry. For an English major like me, visiting his grave in Baltimore was like paying homage at a holy temple.

Edgar Allan Poe’s gravesite

The Hawaiian Goose

The Hawaiian Goose, or Nene, is the subject of intense conservation efforts.

Nene

The Arabic Game of Al-Qirqut

This may have been one of the most influential board games ever made.

A game of Al-Qirqut photo from WikiCommons