The Wild Hunt was a once prevalent folk myth across northern, western, and central Europe involving a phantasmal group of armed huntsmen, horses, and hounds in mad pursuit across the skies or along the ground. The hunters were variously believed to be spirits, deities, or historical or legendary figures. Seeing the Wild Hunt was thought to presage some catastrophe such as war or plague or the death of the one who witnessed it. The Wild Hunt was often used to explain what weather phenomenon?
Back in the day
In 1624, the Dutch founded forts in southern Taiwan. Two years later, the Spanish occupied the northern part of the island. The Dutch expelled the Spanish in 1641 and assumed control of the entire island but were, in turn, forced to abandon it when Koxinga, a general of the Ming dynasty of China, successfully laid siege to the main Dutch settlement, Fort Zeelandia, and took the island in 1662, establishing an independent kingdom. What happened to the colony's governor, Frederick Coyett?
Born on a day like today
Hughes was an American poet and a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. His writing is largely concerned with depicting African-American life, particularly the experience of the urban African American, and often uses dialect and jazz rhythms. Along with several collections of poetry, Hughes published numerous other works, including several plays, books for children, and novels. While working as a busboy, Hughes launched his literary career by presenting his poems to what poet as he dined?