An acorn is the nut of an oak tree. Each acorn contains one seed, sometimes two, enclosed in a cupule and further encased by an outer shell made of a tough fibrous material. Depending on species, acorns can take 6 to 24 months before reaching maturity. Acorns serve as a vital food source for many animals; pigeons, squirrels, mice, pigs, deer, and bears rely heavily on acorns as part of their diet. Human use of acorns has a long history stretching from ancient Greece to modern day Korea.
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When the Korean Empire was proclaimed in 1897, Emperor Gojong strived to modernize the nation through domestic and foreign reforms. Korea was able to disengage itself from the traditional close relationship it had with China, but soon found itself falling under the influence Tsarist Russia. Following the Russo-Japanese War, 1904 to 1905, Korea became a Japanese protectorate. The Japanese held Korea until the end of World War II; the country has since been divided between north and south.
