1. The Netherlands Back in the 1600s, the Dutch were basically the kings of commerce. Amsterdam was the center of global trade, and the Dutch East India Company became the world’s first real multinational corporation. They dominated shipping, banking, and […]

1. The Kingdom of Ebla Tucked away in what is now modern-day Syria, the Kingdom of Ebla thrived over 4,000 years ago, long before many of its neighbors. For centuries, it was a major trading hub, with its own written

1. Monopoly – Banned in the Soviet Union for Promoting Capitalism You might’ve had a marathon Monopoly session with friends or family growing up, but did you know it was once considered a threat to an entire political system? In

1. Japanese Kimonos at Backyard Barbecues There was a time when our moms would proudly float into the backyard in a silky, floral kimono—usually from a department store clearance rack—and it made them feel worldly. They weren’t heading to a

1. Sunday Roast – United Kingdom There’s something about a proper Sunday roast in the UK that feels like a warm hug from your grandma. We’re talking roasted meat—usually beef, lamb or chicken—served with golden roast potatoes, fluffy Yorkshire puddings,

1. Jell-O Salad at Every Occasion There was something oddly festive about a wobbly, pastel-hued mold sitting in the center of the table, full of suspended fruit, nuts, or—brace yourself—shredded carrots. American grandparents didn’t just serve Jell-O salad; they prized

1. J.R. Ewing from Dallas Back in the ’80s, if you lived in the U.S., you knew exactly who shot J.R. Ewing. He was the swaggering oil tycoon everyone loved to hate, and Larry Hagman’s performance had Americans hooked every