Jack Hawkins articles

We are all familiar with the basic principles of our legal system and how they became enshrined into law over generations. You might even know the ins and outs of how laws get passed in the United States, but what about laws pre-America? How did ancient legal documents written thousands of years ago influence the modern law of today?

The Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan is experiencing a huge tourism boom following a huge change in government policy that allows more tourists to come into the country and more goods to be exported. These policy changes came into effect in mid-2023. But after less than a year, some Uzbeks and the Uzbekistani government regret those changes after a tourism boom.

Europeans tend to build things to last, as evidenced by centuries-old buildings that have withstood conflict and turmoil on the continent. From monarchies vying for power in Europe to the German Blitzkrieg that decimated Europe in the 1940s, here are some of the oldest buildings in Europe that stand resolutely against the ravages of time and man.

If you love history, architecture, or both, this article is for you! We're recapping America's oldest buildings, including where they are, what they're called, and when they were built. Some you may have heard of before, others have been hidden away, unfortunately relegated to the dustbin of history. Let's recap some of America's oldest buildings as the country enters its 249th year.

When Pompeii was destroyed by a volcanic eruption on August 24, 79 CE, the city's footprint was astonishingly well preserved under the ash, providing historians with a glimpse into Roman life from a city frozen in time. From the remains of harnessed horses found in 2018 to the most recent discovery: a Thermopolis, or bath house that's 2,000 years old. Let's explore this newest discovery and what it could mean for our understanding of the ruins of Pompeii.

Some of the world's greatest artists crafted ancient works known as frescoes. Frescoes were created using a painting technique in which watercolor paint is applied to wet plaster. The paint seeps into the plaster and becomes fixed once it dries. Let's explore the history of frescoes and some of the world's most famous fresco paintings.

Archaeologists from the Universities of Newcastle and Exeter in the UK believe they have found the home of Harold II, otherwise known as Harold Godwinson, one of England's earliest Kings. This find, made in early January 2025, offers key insight into where the King may have lived and provides yet another window into England's tumultuous, complicated history before the Norman Conquest.

In late January, the archaeological world was alive with the news that a papyrus scroll over 1,500 years old—first discovered in 1950—had finally been analyzed. Join us as we take you inside a criminal trial in Israel that's been described as the most significant since that of Jesus of Nazareth.

If you've been searching for the perfect retirement present, birthday gift, or vacation you'll never forget, consider using Amtrak's transnational rail journey from New York to San Francisco, for a journey across America by train that is out of this world.