Time Tangled Island: Aztec Empire Factropica Fast Facts and quizzes Aztec Empire Quiz! Factropica Fast Facts The Aztecsruled what is now Mexicofrom about 1428 to 1521. Tenochtitlán (modern Mexico City) was the capital of the Aztec empire. The Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlanstood about 197 feet (60 meters) high. A shrine to the god Huitzilopochtlisat atop the Great Pyramid. It was the site of both sacrifices and festivals. The Aztecs made important developments in engineering, architecture, art, math, and astronomy. The Aztecs used two calendars: a 260-day cycle for rituals and a 365-day cycle for the civil year. The Aztec sun stone is 12 feet in diameter and shows both calendars. It is one of the most famous sculptures from the Aztec Empire. Montezumaruled the Aztecs from about 1502–1520. He was a brutal ruler, and his reign was known for continuous warfare. The Aztecs worshipped many gods, including Huitzilopochtli. He was the Aztec's primary god, and the god of the sun and of war. Hernán Cortés, along with 500 Spaniards, arrived in Mesoamericain 1519 and found the region rich in gold. He captured Montezuma and forced him to pledge allegiance to the king of Spain. Cacao beans were used as currency in the Aztec Empire. Nahuatlwas the native language of the Aztecs. Dialects of it are still spoken in rural areas of Mexico. The words avocado, chocolate, and tomato are derived from Nahuatl.

Time Tangled Island: Viking Explorers Factropica Fast Facts and quizzes: Viking Explorer Quiz! Factropica Fast Facts Vikings lived in Scandinavia, which is present day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The Vikings were the best shipbuilders and sailors of their time. If the direction of land was unknown, Viking sailors would release a raven into the air and follow its course. Viking warriors were buried with their weapons, but not their armor. Viking women could get divorced, own property, control their wealth, and join or lead raiding parties. Vikings used runes, a complicated system of symbols, to write their language. Each rune represented a different goddess or god. Vikings believed Valkyries, female warriors, watched over battles and decided who would die. Vikings believed their dead went to Valhalla, the banquet hall of the god Odinin Asgard. Leif Ericssonwas the first European discoverer of North America, c. 1000. The last attempt by the Vikings to establish a colony in North America occurred around 1013 A.D.

Time Tangled Island: Ancient China Factropica Fast Facts and quizzes by Mark Hughes Related Links Great Wall of China Famous Buildings and Structures Seven New Wonders Try our Great Wall of China Quiz! Factropica Fast Facts Chinese astronomers made the first recorded sighting of Halley's Cometin 240 B.C. The Chinese have been using wheeled vehicles for the last 3,500 years. Chinese mathematicians were among the first to use powers of 10 to express magnitudesand to use negative numbers. The lessons of Confuciuswere written down around 470 B.C. His teachings are notable for being ethical rather than religious, for example, centering on the golden rule of doing to others as one would have done to oneself. From 214 B.C. to 206 B.C., General Meng Dian began connecting the existing defensive walls in northern China in order to form a single fortified system that became known as the Great Wall of China. The wall became the largest human building project in history. Chinese scholars recognized the connection between ocean tides and the phases of the moon about 2,200 years ago. The Silk Road was a trade route connecting China to Europe, a distance of 8,000 miles (12,800 km). In addition to defense, the Great Wall of China was used to store and protect state documents, which were written on paper. Gunpowder was invented in Chinaaround 270 A.D. It was first used to make fireworks. About 1,500 years ago, the Chinese were making flying toys that used horizontal propellers to slow their descent. That practice is similar to modern day helicopters.

2005 World History Mahmoud Abbas (1935– ) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (1956– ) Angela Merkel (1954– ) Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (1938– ) 2005 Worldwide aid pours in to help the 11 Asian countries devastated by the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami(Jan.). Mahmoud Abbaswins presidency of the Palestinian Authorityin a landslide(Jan. 9). The Sudanesegovernment and rebels from southern Sudan sign a peace agreement to end a 20-year conflict that has claimed about 2 million people(Jan. 9). George W. Bushis officially sworn in for his second term as president(Jan. 20). Iraqi elections to select a 275-seat National Assembly take place despite threats of violence. A total of 8.5 million people voted, representing about 58% of those Iraqis eligible to vote(Jan. 30).In State of the Union address, President Bush announces his plan to reform Social Security; despite months of campaigning, his plan receives only a lukewarm reception(Feb. 2).Saudis (men only) are allowed to vote for the first time in municipal elections(Feb. 10).Former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri> a nationalist who had called for Syria'swithdrawal from Lebanon—is assassinated(Feb. 14). The Terry Schiavocase becomes the focus of an emotionally charged battle in Congress(March 20).Schiavo dies 13 days after a federal judge refuses to order the reinsertion of her feeding tube(March 31). Pope John Paul IIdies(April 2).Violent protests follow March elections in Kyrgyzstan,which international monitors deem severely flawed. President Askar Akayevflees the country and then resigns(April 4). Benedict XVIbecomes the next pope(April 24).The Syrianmilitary, stationed in Lebanonfor 29 years, withdraws(April 26). Tony Blairbecomes first Labour Party prime minister to win three successive terms, but his party loses a large number of seats in the elections(May 5).South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-sukannounces that he has devised a new procedure to successfully produce human stem cell lines from a cloned human embryo(May 20),but claim is discredited in Dec. 2005. The European Union abandons plans to ratify the proposed European constitution by 2006 after both France and the Netherlands vote against it(June 16).Former Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a hard-line conservative, wins Iran's presidential election with 62% of the vote. He defiantly pursues Iran's nuclear ambitions over the course of his first year(June 24).Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connorannounces her retirement(July 1). NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft hits comet Tempel 1in effort to research primordial remnants of our solar system(July 4). Londonhit by Islamic terrorist bombings, killing 52 and wounding about 700. It is Britain's worst attack since World War II(July 7). Group of Eightindustrial nations pledge to double aid to Africa to $50 billion a year by 2010, cancel the debt of many poor countries, and open trade.(July 8).Federal appeals court upholds lower court decision that so-called Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act is unlawful because it fails to make an exception to the law for women whose health would be in jeopardy without the late-term procedure(July 8).Pentagon assessment finds Iraq'spolice force is, at best, “partially capable” of fighting the country's insurgency. The U.S.'s eventual withdrawal plan hinges upon Iraqi security forces replacing U.S. soldiers: “As Iraqis stand up, Americans will stand down,” President Bush had stated(July 20).The Irish Republican Army announces it is officially ending its violent campaign for a united Ireland and will instead pursue its goals politically(July 27). President Bushsigns the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which will remove trade barriers between the U.S. and Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua(Aug. 2).The Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) sign a peace accordto end their nearly 30-year-long civil war(Aug. 15). Israelbegins evacuating about 8,000 Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip, which has been occupied by Israel for the last 38 years(Aug. 15). Hurricane Katrinawreaks catastrophic damage on the Gulf Coast; more than 1,000 die and millions are left homeless. Americans are shaken not simply by the magnitude of the disaster but by how ill-prepared all levels of government were in its aftermath.(Aug. 25–30).Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist,who served on the U.S. Supreme Court for 33 years, dies(Sept. 3). John Roberts, Jr.,becomes 17th chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court(Sept. 22).Another major hurricane, Rita, ravages the Gulf Coast(Sept. 23).House majority leader Tom DeLayis accused of conspiring to violate Texas's election laws. He steps aside from his House leadership position(Sept. 28).A 7.6 earthquake centered in the Pakistani-controlled part of the Kashmir region kills more than 80,000 and leaves an estimated 4 million homeless(Oct. 2). President Bushselects Harriet Miers,White House counsel, to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor(Oct. 3).

2004 World History Viktor Yushchenko (1954– ) 2004 Former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow pleads guilty to defrauding Enron(Jan. 13).Bush proposes ambitious space program that includes flights to the Moon, Mars, and beyond(Jan. 14).Iraq weapons investigator David Kayresigns, says there’s no evidence of weapons of mass destruction, one of the Bush administration’s chief reasons for launching war in Iraq(Jan. 23).About one third of Iran's Parliament steps down to protest hard-line Guardian Council’s banning of more than 2,000 reformists from running in parliamentary elections(Feb. 1).A.Q. Khan, founder of Pakistan'snuclear program, admits he sold nuclear-weapons designs to other countries, including North Korea, Iran, and Libya(Feb. 4).Armed rebels in Haiti force President Aristideto resign and flee the country(Feb. 29). John Kerrysecures Democratic nomination after winning nine out of ten primaries and caucuses(March 2). Spainis rocked by terrorist attacks, killing more than 200. Al-Qaedatakes responsibility(March 11).Spain's governing Popular Party loses election to opposition Socialists. Outcome seen as a reaction to terrorist attacks days before and Popular Party's support of the U.S.-led war in Iraq(March 14). North Atlantic Treaty Organizationformally admits seven new countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia(March 29).U.S. troops launch offensive in Falluja in response to killing and mutilation on March 31 of four U.S. civilian contractors.(April 5–May 1).Israeli prime minister Sharonannounces plan to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza Strip(April 12).Greek Cypriots reject UN reunification plan with Turkish Cypriots(April 24).U.S. media release graphic photos of American soldiers abusing and sexually humiliating Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. Images spark outrage around the world(April 30). Gay marriagesbegin in Massachusetts, the first state in the country to legalize such unions(May 17). Sudanrebels (SPLA) and government reach accord to end 21-year civil war. However, separate war in western Darfurregion between Arab militias and black Africans continues unabated(May 26).U.S. hands over power to Iraqi interim government; Iyad Allawibecomes prime minister(June 28).InRasulv.Bush,Supreme Court rules that “enemy combatants” held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, are legally entitled to file petitions for writs of habeas corpus; and inHamdiv.Rumsfeld,court rules that the detention of a U.S. citizen held as an enemy combatant is invalid, rejecting government's claim that the executive branch has unreviewable authority in time of war(June 28).Israeli Supreme Court orders removal of part of security barrier dividing Israeli and Palestinian lands(June 30).Senate Intelligence Committee reports that intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs was “overstated” and flawed(July 5).Sept. 11 commission harshly criticizes government’s handling of terrorist attacks(July 22).Democratic National Convention in Boston nominates John Kerryfor president(July 26–29).Security Council demands Sudanese government disarm militias in Darfur that are massacring civilians(July 30). Florida hit by hurricanesBonnie(Aug. 12)and Charley(Aug. 13). Summer Olympicstake place in Athens, Greece(Aug. 13–29). Venezuelanpresident Hugo Chavezsurvives recall referendum(Aug. 16).Pentagon-sponsored Schlesinger report rejects idea that Abu Ghraib prison abuse was work of a few aberrant soldiers, and asserts there were “fundamental failures throughout all levels of command”(Aug. 24).Republican Convention in New York renominates President Bush(Aug. 30–Sept. 2). Chechen terroriststake about 1,200 schoolchildren and others hostage in Beslan, Russia; 340 people die when militants detonate explosives(Sept. 1–3). Hurricane Ivan ravages U.S. south(Sept. 15).U.S.’s final report on Iraq’s weapons finds no WMDs(Sept. 16). UN Atomic Energy Agencytells Iran to stop enriching uranium; a nascent nuclear weapons program suspected(Sept. 18).Bush eases trade restrictions on Libya(Sept. 20).Congress extends tax cuts due to expire at the end of 2005(Sept. 23). Hurricane Jeannehits Florida(Sept. 26).380 tons of explosives reported missing in Iraq(Oct. 25). Bushreelected president(Nov. 2).U.S. troops launch attack on Falluja, stronghold of the Iraqi insurgency(Nov. 8). Yasir Arafatdies in Paris(Nov. 11). Ukrainepresidential election declared fraudulent(Nov. 21).Red Cross alleges abuse at U.S.-run Guantánamo prison(Nov. 30). Hamid Karzaiinaugurated as Afghanistan's first popularly elected president(Dec. 7).Missile test fails; setback for Bush administration's missile defense system(Dec. 15).Massive protests by supporters of opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko'slead to a new Ukrainian election; Yushchenko eventually declared prime minister(Dec. 26).Enormous tsunamidevastates Asia; at least 225,000 killed(Dec. 26).