Photo from www.bitrot.de

Tsars. That's what one normally thinks of when Russia comes to mind. Or the Soviet Union, but that's more recent history. Ivan the Terrible was the first (official) Tsar of Russia (1530-1584). He was crowned at 17; three weeks later he  married Anastasia, the daughter of a minor noble. How did he chose his bride? There was a national virgin competition; virgins over the age of twelve were brought to the Kremlin and paraded before him. The last Tsar was Nicholas II (1868-1918). Two famous tsars for totally different reasons. Ivan was believed mad, and, indeed, did kill his only son, but was brilliant when it came to his country and gaining territory. Nicholas was a terrible ruler, and considered completely inept. In fact, he didn't even want to rule, but be by his wife, Alexandra's, side to raise their children

The time between was filled with fascinating characters from Peter the Great who built St. Petersburg and forced his nobles to live in this new city, to Catherine the Great, who expanded Russia and created entire cities to help the poor surfs. And she was German-born. Wars, revolutions, political upheavals, and scandalous affairs. Russia had all this and so much more. Think the English throne has gossip? It's got nothing compared to Russia Tsars.

Photo from pbs.org

This era, named after Queen Victoria of England, lasted from 1837-1901. That's a lot of years to glump all in one era. So many things happened during this time period, it's hard to know where to begin. America was still exploring the continent, The Cherokee Trail of Tears occurred, Antebellum reigned, the Civil War tore apart the nation, we Reconstructed, moved West, found gold, freed a people, and subjected another. Tried for women's rights, built up and tore down cities and peoples, traveled across the country in wagons, trains, and automobiles. The photograph, telegraph, telephone, x-ray, were all invented or improved upon. 20 states were admitted into the Union. Baseball was founded. Women Lawyers were permitted to argue cases in front of the Supreme Court. And still, we managed to fight the Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish American War, and too many battles between Native Americans to count with any sense of accuracy.

That's only America! In Ireland, Charles Stewart Parnell began the movement for Irish independence in 1875. 1870-71 the Franco-Prussian War Unified Germany. French troops occupied Mexico City in 1863 and Maximilian of Austria was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico. Upper and Lower Canada were united in 1840 and in 1867 the Dominion of Canada was formed. Karl Marx and Friedrick Engels  published The Communist Manifesto in 1848. Alexander Dumas wrote The Three Musketeers in 1844, Nathanial Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter in 1850, and Leo Tolstoy War and Peace 1865.

Photo by Christine

From the Picti and Scoti raiding Roman fortifications in 297, through Dalriada and onto Robert the Bruce and the troubles with England and their persistence in claiming the Scottish throne. Highlands, Lowlands, the 1715 Rising, the '45 and the final battle at Culloden Moor. The end of the Clan system that had held together Scottish Families for centuries. Transportation of 'criminals' to the Americas. The Clearances. And finally, the resurgence of Scottish culture. 

What's not to like about a man in a kilt? Or about the haunting sounds of a bagpipe across the moors?

Photo from  fodors.com