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The beloved story of *Alice in Wonderland* traces its origins to a sunny afternoon on July 4, 1862, when Charles Lutwidge Dodgson—better known as Lewis Carroll—rowed down the River Thames with Reverend Robinson Duckworth and the three daughters of the Dean of Christ Church. Among them was young Alice Liddell, who asked Dodgson to tell her a story. On the spot, he spun a whimsical tale of a curious girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a land of peculiar creatures and surreal adventures. Alice was so enchanted that she pleaded with him to write it down. Two years later, in 1864, Dodgson gifted Alice a handwritten manuscript titled *Alice’s Adventures Under Ground*, complete with his own charming illustrations. Friends urged him to publish the story more broadly, and in 1865 it appeared as *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland*, with illustrations by renowned artist John Tenniel. The book was an instant success, captivating readers with its imaginative world and becoming a classic of English literature. Over time, it has been translated into numerous languages and adapted into stage productions, films, and artworks worldwide. What sets *Alice in Wonderland* apart is its layered brilliance. While it delights children with talking animals and playful absurdities, it also offers adults a sly critique of Victorian society’s rigid norms. Characters like the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts satirize authority and convention, while Carroll’s love of logic and mathematics subtly shapes the narrative’s structure. Inspired by real people and rooted in both fantasy and intellect, the tale remains a timeless celebration of curiosity, imagination, and the joy of seeing the world differently. © History Pictures #archaeohistories