The "Little Ice Age"

[suddenseer]

I keep seeing programs on the History Channel about this "little ice age" that happened, generally, around the 17th century. Don't really know many details about it except that it caused disruptions and upheaval in Europe and, presumably, North America.

The burning question about this is, "Why am I only learning about this now?" I never heard of it before the last 2 or 3 years. WTF?

The History Channel is one of my favs. However, they have aired programs about 2012, predictions in the bible, Nostradamus predictions, etc. Not much history there. They did air a very good 2 hour production about Thomas Jefferson. I will forgive them on the other stuff.