Dr. Chris Colloca

In 1973, Saudi Arabian King Faisal cut off all oil supplies to the US and other countries for supporting Israel. America then threatened to bomb their oil fields. In response, King Faisal said, “You are the ones who can’t live without oil. Our ancestors lived on dates, and we can easily go back to living like that again.” 🇺🇸🇸🇦 The image captures a moment from the 1973 oil crisis, a pivotal episode in modern history. That year, following U.S. support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War, Saudi Arabia led an oil embargo through OPEC, cutting off supplies to the U.S. and other Western nations. The result was immediate and severe—gas stations across America ran dry, prices soared, and drivers waited for hours in long lines, often only to be turned away. The U.S. even considered military intervention to secure oil fields. When American officials reportedly threatened military action, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia delivered a now-famous rebuke: “You are the ones who can’t live without oil. Our ancestors lived on dates, and we can easily go back to living like that again.” His words highlighted the cultural and economic divide between the oil-rich Gulf and the energy-dependent West. The crisis reshaped global energy politics and led to lasting changes in how nations approached energy independence. © Vintage American Photos #archaeohistories

The bar tab of a 1787 farewell party for George Washington is still intact. The Founding Fathers drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 of beer, and 7 bowls of alcoholic punch. There were only 55 attendees. In September 1787, just before the signing of the U.S. Constitution, George Washington attended a farewell gathering in Philadelphia with fellow delegates of the Constitutional Convention. What makes this night memorable is not just its historical significance, but the surviving bar tab that documents the staggering volume of alcohol consumed. With only 55 men in attendance, the tally reveals a feast of indulgence: dozens of bottles of fortified Madeira wine and claret, substantial amounts of whiskey, porter, and cider, along with large bowls of communal punch. By today’s standards, the sheer quantity seems almost unbelievable, averaging more than a bottle per man before considering the punch and beer. This extravagant send-off was not unusual for the era. Alcohol was a central feature of 18th-century social and political life, often consumed at levels that would astonish modern observers. Taverns and banquets were places where ideas were debated, alliances forged, and trust built, fueling not only camaraderie but the revolutionary spirit itself. The farewell party’s surviving record gives us a rare glimpse into the daily lives of the Founding Fathers, reminding us that these men, though monumental in history, were also human, fond of celebration, fellowship, and raising a glass to their new nation. Madeira wine was George Washington’s personal favorite, and he often ordered it by the cask. © Historyfeels #archaeohistories