Which Mediterranean herb is also known as wild marjoram ?

What Is Oregano? (Is It the Same as Marjoram?) What is oregano? Is oregano the same as marjoram? Oregano is often confused with marjoram Answer Common oregano is botanically known as Origanum vulgare, Greek for "joy of the mountains." It can be found growing wild on mountainsides of Greece and other Mediterranean countries where it is a herb of choice. Also known as wild marjoram, the oregano plant is a perennial which grows up to two feet tall and bears tiny leaves which lend a pungent aroma and strong flavor to a variety of savory foods. When in bloom, the plant sports pink or purple flowers , which are also edible. The leaves are used fresh from the plant or dried. Oregano is one of the few herbs that is stronger when dried than when fresh. Commercially, oregano's biggest market is in perfumes. Oregano, commonly called "the pizza herb," is one of the most widely-used herbs worldwide, so it is hard to imagine anyone not having tried it. However, oregano was virtually unused in America until returning World War II soldiers heightened the popularity of pizza . In fact, sales of oregano increased by 5200 percent between 1948 and 1956 due to pizza mania. Yet oregano to one person may be something completely different to another, as it is easily confused with its close relative, marjoram. Oregano Confusion There are a number of different varieties of oregano. The strongest is considered to be Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens), which is actually from a different botanical family. Mexican oregano is also known as Mexican marjoram or Mexican wild sage, and if your recipe calls for this specifically, try not to substitute. Spanish (Origanum vivens) and Greek (Origanum heraclites) oregano follow in a depth of flavor. Adding more confusion to the mix is the close relationship between marjoram (Origanum majorana) and oregano, which naturally means they also look very much alike. While its gentler flavor is sweeter and its aroma not quite as pungent, marjoram is often confused with oregano. Sweet marjoram has leaves which are slightly hairy and more gray-green in color. More about Oregano and Oregano Recipes:


What was adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956 ?

History of 'In God We Trust' History of 'In God We Trust'   Page Content The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received many appeals from devout persons throughout the country, urging that the United States recognize the Deity on United States coins. From Treasury Department records, it appears that the first such appeal came in a letter dated November 13, 1861. It was written to Secretary Chase by Rev. M. R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, and read: Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to the Congress respecting the affairs of the national finances. One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins. You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the allseeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW. This would make a beautiful coin, to which no possible citizen could object. This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed. From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters. To you first I address a subject that must be agitated. As a result, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861: Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition. It was found that the Act of Congress dated January 18, 1837, prescribed the mottoes and devices that should be placed upon the coins of the United States. This meant that the mint could make no changes without the enactment of additional legislation by the Congress. In December 1863, the Director of the Mint submitted designs for new one-cent coin, two-cent coin, and three-cent coin to Secretary Chase for approval. He proposed that upon the designs either OUR COUNTRY; OUR GOD or GOD, OUR TRUST should appear as a motto on the coins. In a letter to the Mint Director on December 9, 1863, Secretary Chase stated: I approve your mottoes, only suggesting that on that with the Washington obverse the motto should begin with the word OUR, so as to read OUR GOD AND OUR COUNTRY. And on that with the shield, it should be changed so as to read: IN GOD WE TRUST. The Congress passed the Act of April 22, 1864. This legislation changed the composition of the one-cent coin and authorized the minting of the two-cent coin. The Mint Director was directed to develop the designs for these coins for final approval of the Secretary. IN GOD WE TRUST first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin. Another Act of Congress passed on March 3, 1865. It allowed the Mint Director, with the Secretary's approval, to place the motto on all gold and silver coins that "shall admit the inscription thereon." Under the Act, the motto was placed on the gold double-eagle coin, the gold eagle coin, and the gold half-eagle coin. It was also placed on the silver dollar coin, the half-dollar coin and the quarter-dollar coin, and on the nickel three-cent coin beginning in 1866. Later, Congress passed the Coinage Act of February 12, 1873. It also said that the Secretary "may cause the motto IN GOD W


Which fish, with the scientific name Pleuronectes platessa , is a flatfish immediately identifiable by the reddish or orange spots on its upper side ?

A guide to buying seafood and fish | Living a Life in Colour Living a Life in Colour a guide to Italian food, wine and culture Seafood and Fish Atlantic white-spotted octopus – See Octopus Boston lobster – See Lobster Chiocciola di mare – See Sea snail Clams, Razor clams (Vongola / Arsella, Lupino, Tellina / Tartufo di mare, Caparozzoli, Cappa liscia/Fasolaro / Cannolicchio, Cappalunga) (Venerupis decussata / Tapes decussatus, Venerupis semidecussatus / Tapes philippinarum, Chamelea gallina, Venerupis semidecussatus / Tapes philippinarum, Venus verrucosa, Donax trunculus, Callista chione and Solen vagina / Solen marginatus / Ensis Minor / Ensis Ensis / Pharus legume) Vongole verace by Meimanrensheng Wedge shelled clams by Gia Parsons Razor clams by Rubber Slippers in Italy Buy: Buy only very fresh clams of medium size (not too big or small). Clams can also be purchased frozen and tinned but fresh and alive are the best. Vongole verace and razor clams are only sold fresh. All the shells should be firmly shut with no cracks in the shells. If some of the clams are open, shake them around and they should shut immediately. They should not have a fishy or sharp odour. Varieties: Carpet shell clams (Vongola verace, Falsa verace/Vongola gialla, and Lupino/Venus gallina are the most important varieties) (Venerupis decussata / Tapes decussatus, Venerupis semidecussatus / Tapes philippinarum, Chamelea gallina): These have a rounded shell. Lupino/Venus gallina (Chamelea gallina) clams are rounded with deep concentric grooves on the shell and a greyish brown zig-zag patterned colouring. They are 3 to 4cm in diameter and are harvested throughout the year except June.  They are prevalent in the Adriatic Sea. They are quite flavourful. Lupini cannot be farmed and should be purchased packaged and labelled as a guarantee to the consumer. Falsa verace/Vongola gialla (Venerupis semidecussatus / Tapes philippinarum) have shells which are thinner and more elongated than venus gallina. It is more vividly coloured with brown colour has spots of lighter or darker colour. They are 4cm or less in diameter. It is distinguishable from the vongola verace by its siphons which form a “II”. Many of these clams originate in the Philippines. They are inferior in flavour to the vongola verace. Vongola verace (Venerupis decussata / Tapes decussatus) are the most prized of the clams but are more rare nowadays. They have irregular concentric grooves on the shell and are a varied smokey brown colour. They grow to a maximum of 4 to 5cm in diameter. They are different from the vongola gialla as the inside is more yellow, the shell is so thin you can break it with your thumbnail, it is less vividly coloured on the outside and the siphons form a “V” shape. Vongole verace are farmed in the Po delta and in the Venetian lagoon. Venus (bumpy shelled: Tartufo di mare / Caparozzolo) (Venus verrucosa): These are one of the largest clams and can reach 5 to 6 cm in diameter. They are distinguishable by the concentric circles on their shell. They should be purchased packaged and labelled as a guarantee to the consumer. These clams can be eaten raw with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of black pepper or cooked with pasta like vongole verace (linguine con vongole). Wedge shelled clams (Tellina / Arsella) (Donax trunculus): Wedge shelled clams live on sandy beaches. Wedge shelled clams should be purchased packaged and labelled as a guarantee to the consumer. They have a refined and elegant flavour so should not be paired with strong flavours. Smooth clam (Cappa liscia/Fasolaro) (Callista chione): The smooth clam can reach a diameter of 8 cm. It has a thick dark brown shell. They should be purchased in packaged net bags and labelled as a guarantee to the consumer. Razor clams (Cannolicchio / Cappalunga) (Solen vagina): Razor clams have an elongated, thin, rectangular brown or cream shell and can be up to 15cm long and 2 cm wide. They live in the Adriatic and Tyrrhennian Seas. They are sold in bunches fresh or frozen. Store: Keep the clams alive until it is time to cook


On which river does the city of Lisbon stand , just before it reaches the Atlantic Ocean ?

Lisbon – Travel guide at Wikivoyage Understand[ edit ] Lisbon is built on seven hills, so getting around Lisbon can be a workout. Numerous slopes and few really flat areas is one of Lisbon's trademarks. This is also a city of enchanting contrasts: The elegant squares, broad avenues, monumental buildings and rectangular layout of the lower areas quickly gives way to the hilly, narrow, winding, unpredictable and cramped streets of districts such as Alfama and Bairro Alto. The elegant dining rooms and smart rooftop bars of expensive hotels seems like a different world compared to the excellent restaurants disguised behind an inconspicuous façade in a modest Bairro Alto street. Quality patisseries and restaurants thrive side by side with late night bars and noisy discos. The old, tiny squeaky trams (one of the city's trademarks) are no less of a contrast to the efficient metro network. Source: w:Lisbon#Climate Portugal may be a Southern European country, but Lisbon is a port on the Atlantic coast, so be prepared for wind and rain Lisbon enjoys a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and very warm summers. Strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream it is one of the mildest climates in Europe. Among all the metropolises in Europe, here are the warmest winters on the continent, with average temperatures above 15.2°C (59.4°F) during the day and 8.9°C (48.0°F) at night in the period from December to February. Snow and frost are unknown. The typical summer's season lasts about 6 months, from May to October, with an average temperature of 25°C (77°F) during the day and 16.2°C (61.2°F) at night, although also in November, March and April sometimes there are temperature above 20°C (68.0°F) with an average temperature of 18.5°C (65°F) during the day and 11.2°C (52.2°F) at night. Rain occurs mainly in winter, the summer is very dry. Lisbon is very close to the ocean and that brings windy and fast-changing weather, so you'd better bring a jacket or an umbrella with you, at least in winter, spring and autumn. Following the Great Earthquake, Marquis Pombal led the effort to redesign and rebuild the lower town in an organized fashion Orientation[ edit ] The city stretches along the northern bank of the river Tejo as it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. As the terrain rises north away from the water, steep streets and stairways form the old tangled neighbourhoods or give way to green parks in the western suburbs. Basic navigation is easy by learning the main axis from the Praça do Comércio (the waterfront) through Rossion (main square) and Avenida da Liberdade (main street) to Praça de Marques de Pombal and Parque Eduardo VII on the top. Each neighbourhood (such as Alfama or Bairro Alto) is distinct and easy to recognize. The hilltop castle and the waterfront are clear reference points, landmark structures such as the Santa Justa elevator, the Rossio station façade, the massive Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa), the white dome of Santa Engrácia and Augusta street arc (Arco da rua Augusta) also adds to the sense of direction. Also look out for the two huge bridges across the Tejo. Navigating the winding, hilly and narrow streets can challenging however, only the most detailed map gives the precise location. It is often said that Lisbon lacks a defined "downtown", but tourists will find most of their points of interest in relatively compact area centred around the vast Praça do Comércio, facing the river. This is the starting point of the pedestrianized grid of Baixa (lower town), which immediately borders other historic quarters of Alfama, Chiado and Bairro Alto. Further northwest from Baixa stretches Avenida da Liberdade, a broad boulevard resplendent in leafy trees, chic hotels and upmarket shops, terminating at the circular Praça de Marques de Pombal. The financial centre, however, is further removed (hence the notion of "no downtown") up north towards the hills, and not directly connected to the historic districts. Other districts of interest to the tourists are generally those by the riverside - the historic Belem in the southwest, the m


What word is given to the thin leather straps used in falconry to tether the bird ?

JESSES CAFE AMERICAIN | JESSES CAFE AMERICAIN JESSES CAFE AMERICAIN Jesses Cafe Americain cafe americain Cafe Americain is an American sitcom starring Valerie Bertinelli which aired on NBC during the 1993-1994 television season. It was filmed at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, California. jesses Jesses (singular “jess”) are thin straps, traditionally made from leather, used to tether a hawk or falcon in falconry. They allow a falconer to keep control of a bird while it is on the glove or in training, and allow a bird to be secured on a perch outside of its aviary. (Jess®) Jess® is a rule engine for the Java platform – it is a superset of CLIPS programming language, developed by Ernest Friedman-Hill of Sandia National Labs. It was first written in late 1995. A short leather strap that is fastened around each leg of a hawk, usually also having a ring or swivel to which a leash may be attached (Jess (fictional cat)) Postman Pat is a British stop-motion animated children’s television series first produced by Woodland Animations. jesses cafe americain – Bobby Flay's Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook: Celebrate America's Great Flavors When Bobby Flay looks at a map of the United States, he doesn’t see states—he sees ingredients: wild Alaskan king salmon, tiny Maine blueberries, fiery southwestern chiles. The Food Network celebrity and renowned chef-restaurateur created his Bar Americain restaurants as our country’s answer to French bistros—to celebrate America’s regional flavors and dishes, interpreted as only Bobby Flay can. Now you can rediscover American cuisine at home with the recipes in Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain Cookbook. Start with a Kentucky 95—a riff on a classic French cocktail but made with bourbon—and Barbecued Oysters with Black Pepper–Tarragon Butter. Choose from sumptuous soups and salads, including a creamy clam chowder built on a sweet potato base, and Kentucky ham and ripe figs over a bed of arugula dressed with molasses-mustard dressing. Entrees will fill your family family-style, from red snapper with a crisp skin of plantains accompanied by avocado, mango, and black beans to a host of beef steaks, spice-rubbed and accompanied by side dishes such as Brooklyn hash browns and cauliflower and goat cheese gratin. Bar Americain’s famed brunch dishes and irresistible desserts round out this collection of America’s favorite flavors. Bobby also shares his tips for stocking your pantry with key ingredients for everyday cooking, as well as expert advice on essential kitchen equipment and indispensable techniques. With more than 110 recipes and 110 full-color photographs, Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain Cookbook shares Bobby’s passion for fantastic American food and will change the way any cook looks at our country’s bounty. Featured Recipe: Sweet Potato Gratin Definitely decadent, this sweet potato gratin is destined to become a do-or-die part of your family’s holiday spread. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg perfume the cream with their warm flavors and seep their rich taste of fall into each layer. A mandoline makes quick work of slicing the potatoes and is worth the investment for the time it will save you in prep work. Don’t forget to remove the cover for the last portion of baking time–the browned and bubbling crust is not to be missed. Yield 8 servings 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1?8 inch thick on a mandoline Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Preheat the oven to 375°F. Whisk together the cream, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until smooth. In a 10-inch square baking dish, arrange an even layer of sweet potatoes. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of the cream mixture and season with salt and pepper. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and cream, seasoning with salt and pepper, to form 8 to 10 layers. Press down on the layers to totally submerge the sweet potatoes in the cream mixture. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and continue baking until the cream has been absorbed, the potatoes are cooked through, and the top is browned, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 1


In 1960 , Alberto Korda took an iconic photograph of which revolutionary leader ?

How a Che Guevera Photo Spawned a Thousand Copies | Eye on Design Share Tweet Share Email With the United States lifting travel restrictions on visiting Cuba, who isn’t fantasizing about a trip to the off-limits tropical time warp? Of course you don’t have to travel far to see the (often illegally reproduced likeness) of the country’s infamous revolutionary leader. But here’s the full story behind the famous image. On March 5, 1960 Cuban photographer Alberto Korda took what would become one of the most iconic images of the second half of the 20th century. A personal friend of Field Castro, Korda had been anointed as his official photographer for the Cuban Revolution (1953–1959), a drastic change from his previous shooting banquets, baptisms, and weddings. According to Korda, “Nearing 30, I was heading toward a frivolous life when an exceptional event transformed my life: The Cuban Revolution.” Korda’s original photograph The day before the aforementioned iconic photo was taken, the freighter “La Coubre” exploded while 76 tons of Belgian munitions was being unloaded in Havana harbor. It was during a memorial service the following day–attended by French existentialist philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, as well as Castro—that Kordo snapped the photo, now known as “Guerrillero Heroico” (“Heroic Guerrilla Fighter”). It was of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, of course, an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist, as well as a leader of the Cuban Revolution. But the editor of Revolución passed it up in favor of Korda’s shots of Castro, Sartre, and Beauvoir. Believing in the power of the image, Korda cropped, upped the contrast, rotated the photo slightly, and made copies to give out as gifts. A stylized version of Jim Fitzpatrick’s drawing The image remained relatively unknown until 1968, a year after the leader’s execution, when Italian publisher Giangiacomo Feltrinelli used it on the cover of Guevara’s Bolivian Diary. That same year, the image began popping up everywhere. Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick used Korda’s image for a stylized, psychedelic-influenced poster. Gerald Malanga, American poet, photographer, filmmaker, curator, and archivist, sold an Andy Warhol forgery based on Fitzpatrick’s poster (below). In February, American publisher Barney Rosset commissioned designer and illustrator Paul Davis to create the cover of Evergreen No. 51, featuring speeches and letters by Castro and Guevara. The theme for the issue was “The Spirit of Che,” but Davis also based his painting on Korda’s photograph, marking the first time the image was seen in the United States. Davis’ painting became as iconic in American as Korda’s had become in Europe. As a result, the Evergreen publisher’s offices were firebombed by anti-Castro Cuban émigrés. Malanga’s forgery When I visited France in 2002, Che’s visage was everywhere: as graffiti, as a car-seat cover pattern (alongside icons like Dali, Dean, Gandhi, Einstein, and Marley), even as a little girl’s T-shirt, with his beret and locks intact but his face replaced by a teddy bear’s. Cover of Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life In the AIGA Design Archives , art Director John Gall pays tribute to both iconic versions, first using Davis’ painting in 1997 for the cover of Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life , by Jon Lee Anderson (while he was the art director of Grove/Atlantic), then using Korda’s image in 2009 for Che’s Afterlife , by Michael Casey (while he was art director at Vintage). Special thanks to Morris Taub


Name the Year: The musical My Fair Lady has its first performance on Broadway ; Elvis Presley has his first U.K. hit.

My Fair Lady (1964) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error A misogynistic and snobbish phonetics professor agrees to a wager that he can take a flower girl and make her presentable in high society. Director: Alan Jay Lerner (book), George Bernard Shaw (from a play by) (as Bernard Shaw) | 1 more credit  » Stars: a list of 44 titles created 10 Dec 2011 a list of 35 titles created 21 Dec 2011 a list of 40 titles created 25 Apr 2012 a list of 30 titles created 03 Feb 2013 a list of 24 titles created 5 months ago Title: My Fair Lady (1964) 7.9/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won     8     Oscars. Another    15 wins & 13 nominations. See more awards  » Videos A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower. Director: Robert Wise Young Oliver Twist runs away from an orphanage and meets a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor. Director: Carol Reed A magical nanny helps bring the two children she's in charge of closer to their father through songs and magical adventures. Director: Robert Stevenson A Victorian Englishman bets that with the new steamships and railways he can circumnavigate the globe in eighty days. Directors: Michael Anderson, John Farrow Stars: David Niven, Cantinflas, Finlay Currie Edit Storyline Pompous phonetics professor Henry Higgins is so sure of his abilities that he takes it upon himself to transform a Cockney working-class girl into someone who can pass for a cultured member of high society. His subject turns out to be the lovely Eliza Doolittle, who agrees to speech lessons to improve her job prospects. Higgins and Eliza clash, then form an unlikely bond -- one that is threatened by an aristocratic suitor. Written by Jwelch5742 The loverliest motion picture of them all! See more  » Genres: 25 December 1964 (USA) See more  » Also Known As: Mi bella dama See more  » Filming Locations: Did You Know? Trivia Of the main cast only Stanley Holloway actually sang. The others were either dubbed or just talked their way through the songs. See more » Goofs In the Royal Ascot scene, the horses race in the wrong direction. Ascot is a right-handed track where the horses race clockwise and the grandstand is on the outside of the track. The camera is facing the crowd, so the horses should race from left to right, but they're shown racing the other way. See more » Quotes [first lines] [sounds from crowd, occasionally a word or phrase, indistinct and mostly not associated with a character] Mrs. Eynsford-Hill : Don't just stand there, Freddy, go and find a cab. Freddy Eynsford-Hill : All right, I'll get it, I'll get it. See more » Crazy Credits In the posters, playbills and the original cast album for the stage version of "My Fair Lady", the credits always read "based on Bernard Shaw's 'Pygmalion' ", letting the audience know what play "My Fair Lady" was actually adapted from. The movie credits simply read "from a play by Bernard Shaw". See more » Connections I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face (1956) (uncredited) A musical with a brain as well as a heart 28 August 2003 | by eliza-doolittle (Cambridge) – See all my reviews There's a lot of negative things been said about Audrey Hepburn's interpretation of the role of Eliza. Perhaps she's not ideal in the earliest scenes of the movie - her "dirtiness" is never quite believable - but it has to be said that despite this smallish drawback she still glows, and makes an amazing Eliza overall. The reason for this is simple; Audrey Hepburn brings her "own spark of divine fire", (to quote Higgins) to the role and her vulnerability, mixed with her sweet, naive charm and even her wonderfully juvenile pettishness shown in "Just You Wait" all prove what a talented actress she really is. For an example of this, jus


Which German composer wrote the music of the overture Rienzi, often heard in the concert hall ?

Three Reasons Why Wagner’s Rienzi is Rarely Performed - WQXR Three Reasons Why Wagner’s Rienzi is Rarely Performed Thursday, October 25, 2012 - 12:00 AM 'Rienzi' at Leipzig Opera (Andreas Birkigt) Wagner’s Rienzi is an opera that hardly ever gets produced by major companies. F. Paul Driscoll, editor-in-chief of Opera News , gives three simple reasons why you never see it in production.   Recommended Links Today: 'Rienzi' on World of Opera 1: Wagner wasn't proud of it One problem might have to do with the fact that Hitler owned the autographed score, which was destroyed when he died in 1945. “But the principal reason it’s not done that much,” Driscoll said, “is that Wagner himself didn’t like it.” the composer disavowed Rienzi along with two other early operas (Die Feen and Das Liebesverbot) because they "sounded too Italian." They were his "immature operas." And he refused to have any of the three performed at Bayreuth. After he died, Wagner's widow Cosima ruled Bayreuth with an iron hand and kept the ban in place. Wagner’s family followed suit. But the ban will be lifted next summer during the ‘Wagner Year’ (2013) , and all eyes and ears will be glued on the festival house when Christian Thielemann conducts the Bayreuth premieres of each of the three neglected works. In the case of Rienzi, Driscoll says that he hopes Thielemann applies some judicious cuts at the Bayreuth performance. “When Rienzi had its premiere in Dresden,” he tells us, “the performance lasted more than six hours!” He goes on to explain that Rienzi is not particularly well written. It doesn’t move along fluidly. As a result, the opera seems long rather than connected and inevitable like the Ring Cycle and Die Meistersinger,   2: The Title Role is Murder The second reason why Rienzi is rarely performed is that the title role is extremely difficult. "For me there’s no real payoff,” Driscoll said. “He sings and talks and argues and exhorts and never really has a moment where he can relax into a character. His most difficult singing is "Rienzi’s Prayer," which comes in Act V. The aria was created for a tenor who was evidently a singing machine. So I guess for that type of person you’re still fresh after five hours. But most modern singers would look for something a little bit more reasonably paced.” Two legendary tenors as Rienzi: Lauritz Melchior was the heldentenor of all heldentenors. He was a Danish artist who made it big in Europe and then ruled the "Wagner roost" at the Metropolitan Opera throughout the 1930s and '40s. Melchior recorded Rienzi’s aria more than once. The recording here was made in London in 1930. Melchior singing ‘Rienzi’s Prayer’ Max Lorenz was a German tenor who was a big star at Bayreuth. He was an extraordinary artist. There are films of him in rehearsal in Bayreuth. You can’t quite believe the ease and the power with which the voice just pours out of him. “I can see how Wagner’s daughter-in-law, Winifred, could not imagine having a festival without that kind of talent.” Driscoll said. Max Lorenz as Rienzi singing Erstehe, hohe Roma, neu! 3: The Best Female Aria Goes to a Minor Character According to Driscoll, the third and final reason that Rienzi is rarely performed is that the best female aria goes to a minor character. “The female principal who is sung by a female and is playing a female is Rienzi’s sister, Irene,” says Driscoll. “But Irene’s boyfriend – Adriano – is sung by a female singer. The big aria and the big moment for female voice is Adriano’s neat little aria that comes in at about two-and-a-half minutes long which basically says ‘Where am I? What am I doing?’ It’s a terrific piece for soprano or mezzo soprano….but it’s a character that you could essentially remove from the central action and still have the plot move forward.” Janis Martin singing ‘Wo bin ich’: Should Rienzi be performed more frequently? Have you seen a performance that was particularly memorable? Please leave your comments below: Guests:


Julia Gillard is the current Prime Minister of which country ?

Julia Gillard | World news | The Guardian browse all sections close Julia Gillard Julia Gillard is a former Australian politician who was country's 27th prime minister and the leader of the Australian Labor party. She was the first woman to hold either position December 2016 Academic review of 2016 federal election warns trend of dissatisfaction with politicians should be seen as ‘wake up call’ Published: 20 Dec 2016 Jeff Sparrow Published: 17 Nov 2016 Unlike Julia Gillard, Hillary Clinton will inherit an electorate incredibly alive to sexism Kristina Keneally Australia didn’t stand up for our first female leader when sexism reared its ugly head. Thanks to Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton might avoid the same fate Published: 25 Oct 2016 Former PM says female politicians will face sexism and misogyny but must ‘face it and ultimately eradicate it’ Published: 12 Oct 2016 Commonwealth v states: Gonski schoolyard fight is just getting started Gabrielle Chan Education minister Simon Birmingham has to convince Senate crossbench to change the Education Act, while also appeasing the Coalition backbench Published: 23 Sep 2016 Former prime minister hits out at broadcaster during an interview in the Atlantic about the ‘age of public misogyny’ Published: 19 Aug 2016 Former prime minister writes in New York Times that ‘every person who believes women and men are equal should call out any sexism’ Published: 27 Jul 2016 With polls suggesting a very close election result, the personal vote of Coalition MPs could give Malcolm Turnbull’s government the edge over Labor Published: 1 Jul 2016 Despite passing 92.8% of its bills, the government complains the Senate is obstructionist. But analysis shows the Coalition’s problems have been of its own making – and things aren’t about to improve Published: 27 Jun 2016 The more the Liberals flounder, the more credible an Abbott comeback seems Jeff Sparrow A Tony Abbott return to Liberal leadership seems far-fetched until you consider the political landscape that enabled the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd melodrama Published: 30 May 2016 For 15 years activist Van T Rudd, nephew of the former PM, has been collecting used forks from the world’s most powerful Published: 26 Apr 2016 The former prime minister of Australia has recently taken on another girls’ education role. She says the battle for equality fuels her work Published: 10 Mar 2016 How much can you remember about politicians on supermarket-related business? Published: 13 Jan 2016 Commission recommends a new body to stamp out corruption and refers former HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson and Victorian AWU secretary Cesar Melhem for possible prosecution Published: 29 Dec 2015 Former prime minister backs the Democrat candidate and warns against her rivals’ ‘cheap and easy statements’ about complex foreign policy Published: 16 Dec 2015 Malcolm Turnbull's big test in an age of coup culture and disenchantment Katharine Murphy As the drumbeat of discontent grows louder, politics is increasingly becoming a complicated and messy affair – just ask Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott Published: 11 Dec 2015


In the British and American armies, what rank is between a General and a Major-General ?

Ranks - British Army Website Ranks Ranks The rank system forms the backbone of the Army's structure and it defines a soldier or officer's role and degree of responsibility. Soldiers and Officers have different rank systems. Broadly speaking, officers have more leadership duties. However many Officers start off as soldiers, before gaining their commission. Officer Ranks This is the rank held during initial officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.   Second Lieutenant The first rank held on commissioning. It is normally held for up to 2 years, during which time they complete special to arms training relevant to their Corps. Afterwards they are responsible for leading up to 30 soldiers in a platoon or troop, both in training and on operations.   Lieutenant Lieutenant is a rank typically held for up to 3 years. They normally command of a platoon or troop of around 30 soldiers, but with experience comes increased responsibilities. They also have the opportunity to gain specialised skills outside their unit.   Captain Captains are normally made second-in-command of a sub-unit of up to 120 soldiers. They are key players in the planning and decision-making process, with tactical responsibility for operations on the ground as well as equipment maintenance, logistic support and manpower.   Major Promotion to Major follows between 8-10 years service. Typically a Major will be given command of a sub-unit of up to 120 officers and soldiers with responsibility for their training, welfare and administration both in camp and on operations, as well as the management of their equipment.   Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonels typically command units of up to 650 soldiers, containing four or five sub-units. They are responsible for the overall operational effectiveness of their unit in terms of military capability, welfare and general discipline. Typically a two-year appointment.   Colonel Colonels are not usually field commanders (except in the Royal Army Medical Corps) - typically they serve as staff officers between field commands at battalion/brigade level. It is the lowest of the staff ranks and they are the principal operational advisors to senior officers.   Brigadier (aka 1 star) Brigadier is not considered to be a General Officer rank by the British Army but rather a Field officer rank. Brigadiers can command a brigade or be a director of operational capability groups such as a director of staff.   Major General (aka 2 star) Major Generals command formations of division size and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and hold senior staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence and other headquarters.   Lieutenant General (aka 3 star) Lieutenant Generals command formations of Corps size and other commands in the UK and overseas, and hold very senior staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence and other headquarters.   General (aka 4 star) Generals hold the most senior appointments - such as the Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of the General Staff , Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and Commander in Chief Land Forces.   Warrant Officer Class 2 (Company/Squadron Sergeant Major) This is a senior management role focussing on the training, welfare and discipline of a company, squadron or battery of up to 120 soldiers. WO2s act as senior adviser to the Major in command of the sub-unit and may also be selected for a commission as an Officer.   Warrant Officer Class 1 (Regimental Sergeant Major) The most senior soldier rank in the British Army, typically reached after 18 years of outstanding service. WO1s are the senior advisors of their unit's Commanding Officer, with leadership, discipline and welfare responsibilities of up to 650 officers and soldiers and equipment.


Which Monty Python film features the exploding Mr Creosote ?

The Meaning of Life (10/11) Movie CLIP - Mr. Creosote Blows (1983) HD - YouTube The Meaning of Life (10/11) Movie CLIP - Mr. Creosote Blows (1983) HD Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Jun 16, 2011 The Meaning of Life movie clips: http://j.mp/15vNO1x BUY THE MOVIE: http://amzn.to/ru1ruR Don't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6pr CLIP DESCRIPTION: Monsieur Creosote (Terry Jones) underestimates his stomach when his waiter (John Cleese) offers him a parting mint. FILM DESCRIPTION: The Meaning of Life is without a doubt the most tasteless of the Monty Python feature films; it also happens to be one of the funniest. Life's questions are "answered" in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a pre-credits sequence at a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. One of our favorite bits involve the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still-living donor, pointing out that there's nothing in his contract preventing this. And of course, there's the scene with the world's most voracious glutton, who brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise. Be warned: though hilarious, this may be the grossest bit of comedy filmmaking ever conceived (there aren't enough words in the world to describe it in detail!). Loyal Pythonites Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin star in The Meaning of Life and share writing responsibilities, while Jones is in the director's chair this time out. CREDITS: Cast: John Cleese, Terry Jones Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones Producer: John Goldstone Screenwriters: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin WHO ARE WE? The MOVIECLIPS channel is the largest collection of licensed movie clips on the web. Here you will find unforgettable moments, scenes and lines from all your favorite films. Made by movie fans, for movie fans. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MOVIE CHANNELS:


Clara Petacci was the mistress of which dictator ?

In Bed with Benito: Sex Diaries Reveal Mussolini's Soft Side - SPIEGEL ONLINE In Bed with Benito: Sex Diaries Reveal Mussolini's Soft Side In Bed with Benito Sex Diaries Reveal Mussolini's Soft Side Mussolini's mistress, Clara Petacci, recorded intimate details of her affair with Il Duce in her journal. Her newly published diary reveals Mussolini as a sex-addicted anti-Semite who found Hitler "very likeable" -- and who occasionally suffered from impotence. Getty Images Feedback On one occasion, Il Duce's little Führer apparently let him down. "It was as if I were made of wood. Not even a hair on my body was erect," Benito Mussolini said in amazement. Maria José di Savoia, the wife of the later King Umberto II, had done absolutely everything in her power to seduce the leader of the Italian fascists on the beach. But Benito simply couldn't rise to the occasion. "I wasn't a man, but a politician," he said. This, at least, was the way Mussolini, who was prime minister of Italy for 21 years and was known as "Il Duce," later described the scene to his mistress Clara "Claretta" Petacci, who then recorded his words in her diaries. Those diaries were published for the first time last week, to the considerable consternation of one of Mussolini's descendents. "This woman would be convicted of stalking today," says Alessandra Mussolini, Il Duce's granddaughter. She insists that "not a word" of what Petacci wrote about her grandfather is true. 'Your Giant' The Mussolinis never had a very high opinion of Petacci, the only woman who was faithful to Mussolini literally to the bitter end. Her father was a doctor at the Vatican, and as a teenager she rhapsodized about the "Duce, mio grandissimo Duce." She became his mistress at 19. In 1936, after a two-year separation, she became Mussolini's principal and permanent concubine, the only one who was entitled to bodyguards, a chauffeur and quarters at the Palazzo Venezia. She called him "Ben," and he referred to himself, none too modestly, as "your giant." He would complain to Claretta, his confidante, about the tight boots he always had to wear. A sentimentalized version of her story was made into a film in 1984, with Claudia Cardinale as the lead. Mussolini was as obsessed with sex as he was with his own power. Until the day of his removal from power, July 25, 1943, he had "a woman brought to him every day, every afternoon," as his valet Quinto Navarra recalls. The women were recorded in the guest book as "fascist visitors." "There was a time when I had 14 women and took three or four them every evening, one after the other," Mussolini said. But now, he insisted, Claretta was the only one. "Amore," he said, "why do you refuse to believe me?" Mussolini spent much of the night before March 13, 1938, when Austria was annexed into the German Reich in the Anschluss, trying to persuade Claretta not to be jealous, and his efforts were successful. As she wrote: "We make love as we have never made love before, until he has heart pain, and then we do it again. Then he falls asleep, exhausted and blissful." 'Your Precious Little Body Shall Only Tremble for Me' Mussolini himself was intensely jealous and had his "bambina's" every movement observed. "Your precious little body shall only tremble for me," he told Claretta, who was 29 years his junior. Petacci wrote to pass the time she spent waiting for him. She wrote quickly and copiously, writing almost 2,000 pages in 1938 alone. Writing was "therapy" for Petacci, according to publisher Mauro Suttora, "because she spent her days doing nothing but living for Mussolini." For the most part, however, the pillow talk Petacci describes, interspersed with diatribes against Mussolini's wife Ráchele, is a record of sex addiction, infatuation and hypocrisy. In one instance, for example, Mussolini weeps as he describes the horrors of the war in Spain, where 150 children had just been killed during an air raid. "Just think, entire buildings destroyed, as if they were made of cardboard." But Italy had just ordered the intensification of the bombing. There have been


Which is the only London borough on both sides of the Thames ?

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames | London Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia London Borough of Richmond upon Thames 9,649pages on 57.41 km² (22.2 sq. mi.) Population The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is a London borough in South West London, England, which forms part of Outer London. Contents Edit It can been seen from a map that the borough is not entirely urbanised. There are some large areas of open space within the borough boundaries. The main suburban developments are Hampton and Teddington in the south, Twickenham , St Margarets and Whitton in the central area west of the River Thames and the Richmond- Kew - Mortlake - Barnes corridor across the loop of the river. It is the only London borough to straddle the Thames with districts on both sides of the river. List of districts Edit Parks take up a great deal of the borough and include Richmond Park , Bushy Park , Kew Gardens , and Hampton Court Park . There are over 100 parks and open spaces within its boundary and 21mi of river frontage - five times more green and open space than any other London borough. The borough is also home to the National Physical Laboratory and the attractions of Hampton Court Palace , Twickenham Stadium and the WWT London Wetlands Centre draw both domestic and international tourism. In December 2006, Sport England published a survey which revealed that residents of the Richmond upon Thames were the 2nd most active in England in sports and other fitness activities. 29.8% of the population participate at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. [2] History Edit The borough was formed in 1965 by the merger of the Municipal Borough of Twickenham from Middlesex with the Municipal Borough of Richmond and the Municipal Borough of Barnes from Surrey; council offices were centred at York House in Twickenham. The name 'Richmond upon Thames' was coined at that time; it is now commonly but inaccurately used to refer to Richmond only.


Which composer , when just 17, wrote the Overture A Midsummer Night's Dream ?

Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture - Classic FM Schedule Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture Felix Mendelssohn wrote his A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture when he was only 17, but he didn't finish the job until 16 years later… Almost unbelievably, Felix Mendelssohn wrote this zipping overture when he was just 17 years old. The wunderkind was sure to include all sorts of special effects too - ones that are completely in keeping with Shakespeare's original play. So, you'll hear the scuttling feet of fairies as they scamper about the stage, and even the braying of poor Bottom, who is turned into an ass. Legend has it that Mendelssohn had to battle through a ferocious snow storm to even attend the overture's premiere in 1827. It was his first public appearance, and surely marked the dawning of a major new musical talent in Europe. Even if he wasn't 17 years old when he wrote it, it's a remarkably sophisticated work - broadly romantic in sound, it actually adheres to a more old-fashioned, classical structure. Strangely, it wasn't until 16 years later in 1842 that Mendelssohn wrote the incidental music for a production of the play, by which time you'd expect him to have evolved his compositional style somewhat. However, it's perfectly common to hear an orchestral suite of not only the Overture, but several highlights from the incidental music too. Mendelssohn News


The drug digitalis comes from which plant ?

Digitalis Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database Adverse reactions are generally related to toxicity. Toxicology All parts of the plant are toxic. The incidence of digitalis toxicity in therapeutic use has been estimated to range from 5% to 25%. Ingestion of extremely small amounts of the plant may be fatal to humans, especially children, and to animals. Toxicity is cumulative. Botany Digitalis is typically a biennial plant but may be annual or perennial depending on the species. It is characterized by a thick, cylindrical, downy stem that reaches a height of up to 2 m. Leaves form a thick rosette during the first year of growth. The leaves, which are woolly, veined, and covered with white hairs on the underside, have a very bitter taste. Flowers grow in the first or second year, depending on the species, and are tubular and bell-shaped, growing to 8 cm in length. Many colors of flowers have been bred from digitalis, and they are rarely white. Digitalis is native to the British Isles, western Europe, and parts of Africa, but is found today as an ornamental plant throughout the world. Related species that have found some use in traditional medicine include Digitalis lutea (straw foxglove), Digitalis grandiflora and Digitalis ambigua (yellow foxglove), and Digitalis ferriginea (rusty foxglove). 1 , 2 , 3 History Digitalis was one of the many herbal remedies used by the ancient Romans. Although its use for the treatment of heart failure has been traced back to 10th century Europe, digitalis was not widely used for this indication until its scientific investigation by British physician William Withering in the late 1700s. For most of the 1800s, digitalis was used to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders. In 1875, German chemist Oswald Schmiedeberg first isolated pure digitoxin from digitalis, leading others to extract and identify other glycosides from various species of digitalis. In 1957, digoxin was isolated from D. lanata and is now a major cardiac glycoside marketed in tablet form. Digitalis was admitted into the first edition of the Pharmacopeia of the United States (1820) and is currently recognized by all major pharmacopeias. In South America, preparations of the powdered leaves are used to relieve asthma, as sedatives, and as diuretic/cardiotonics. In India, an ointment containing digitalis glycosides is used to treat wounds and burns. 2 , 4 , 5 Chemistry Ornamental strains of D. purpurea typically have low concentrations of active compounds. Leaves of wild varieties that have been used for medicinal purposes contain at least 30 different glycosides in total quantities ranging from 0.1% to 0.6%; these consist primarily of purpurea glycoside A (yielding digitoxin) and glycoside B, the precursor of gitoxin. Upon hydrolysis, digitoxin and gitoxin lose sugar moieties, producing their respective aglycones, digitoxigenin and gitoxigenin. Biosynthetic pathways in the production of cardenolides are reliant on the enzymes of malonyltransferase and progesterone 5 beta-reductase. The main glycosides of D. lanata are the lanatosides, designated A through E. Removal of acetate groups and sugars results in formation of digitoxin, gitoxin, digoxin, digitalin, and gitaloxin. D. lanata is not typically used in powder form in the United States, but serves as a major source of lanatoside C and digoxin (300 times more potent than the powder prepared from D. purpurea ). Isolated digitoxin is 1,000 times more potent than whole powdered leaves and is completely and rapidly absorbed from the GI tract. The seeds also contain digitalis glycosides, while steroidal saponins, flavones, the flavonoid chrysoeriol, anthraquinones, and organic acids have been identified in the leaves. High performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy have been used to identify and quantify glycoside composition. 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Uses and Pharmacology Cardiovascular effects Cardiac glycosides possess positive inotropic effects due to inhibition of sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase, which allows calcium to accum


The novel Notre Dame de Paris, by Victor Hugo, is better known by what title in the English-speaking world ?

Victor Hugo | French writer | Britannica.com French writer Sir Stephen Spender Victor Hugo, in full Victor-Marie Hugo (born February 26, 1802, Besançon , France —died May 22, 1885, Paris ), poet, novelist, and dramatist who was the most important of the French Romantic writers. Though regarded in France as one of that country’s greatest poets, he is better known abroad for such novels as Notre-Dame de Paris (1831) and Les Misérables (1862). Victor Hugo, photograph by Nadar (Gaspard-Félix Tournachon). Archives Photographiques, Paris Early years (1802–30) Victor was the third son of Joseph-Léopold-Sigisbert Hugo, a major and, later, general in Napoleon’s army. His childhood was coloured by his father’s constant traveling with the imperial army and by the disagreements that soon alienated his parents from one another. His mother’s royalism and his father’s loyalty to successive governments—the Convention, the Empire, the Restoration—reflected their deeper incompatibility. It was a chaotic time for Victor, continually uprooted from Paris to set out for Elba or Naples or Madrid, yet always returning to Paris with his mother, whose royalist opinions he initially adopted. The fall of the empire gave him, from 1815 to 1818, a time of uninterrupted study at the Pension Cordier and the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, after which he graduated from the law faculty at Paris, where his studies seem to have been purposeless and irregular. Memories of his life as a poor student later inspired the figure of Marius in his novel Les Misérables. From 1816, at least, Hugo had conceived ambitions other than the law. He was already filling notebooks with verses, translations—particularly from Virgil—two tragedies, a play , and elegies. Encouraged by his mother, Hugo founded a review, the Conservateur Littéraire (1819–21), in which his own articles on the poets Alphonse de Lamartine and André de Chénier stand out. His mother died in 1821, and a year later Victor married a childhood friend, Adèle Foucher, with whom he had five children. In that same year he published his first book of poems, Odes et poésies diverses, whose royalist sentiments earned him a pension from Louis XVIII . Behind Hugo’s concern for classical form and his political inspiration, it is possible to recognize in these poems a personal voice and his own particular vein of fantasy. In 1823 he published his first novel, Han d’Islande, which in 1825 appeared in an English translation as Hans of Iceland. The journalist Charles Nodier was enthusiastic about it and drew Hugo into the group of friends, all devotees of Romanticism , who met regularly at the Bibliothèque de L’Arsenal. While frequenting this literary circle, which was called the Cénacle , Hugo shared in launching a new review of moderate tendencies, the Muse Française (1823–24). In 1824 he published a new verse collection, Nouvelles Odes, and followed it two years later with an exotic romance, Bug-Jargal (Eng. trans. The Slave King). In 1826 he also published Odes et ballades, an enlarged edition of his previously printed verse, the latest of these poems being brilliant variations on the fashionable Romantic modes of mirth and terror. The youthful vigour of these poems was also characteristic of another collection, Les Orientales (1829), which appealed to the Romantic taste for Oriental local colour. In these poems Hugo, while skillfully employing a great variety of metres in his verse and using ardent and brilliant imagery, was also gradually shedding the legitimist royalism of his youth. It may be noted, too, that “Le Feu du ciel,” a visionary poem, forecast those he was to write 25 years later. The fusion of the contemporary with the apocalyptic was always a particular mark of Hugo’s genius. Britannica Stories Dinosaur Eggs May Have Taken Six Months or More to Hatch Hugo emerged as a true Romantic, however, with the publication in 1827 of his verse drama Cromwell . The subject of this play, with its near-contemporary overtones, is that of a national leader risen from the people who seeks to be crowned king. But the play’s rep


Which famous U.S. highway originally ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, covering 2,448 miles ?

WhatWasThere | Route 66 in Ash Fork, Arizona - 1930s 1930s Route 66 Description U.S. Route 66 (also known as the Will Rogers Highway after the humorist, and colloquially known as the "Main Street of America" or the "Mother Road") was a highway within the U.S. Highway System. One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 -- with road signs erected the following year. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in America, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, before ending at Los Angeles, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). Route 66 served as a major path for those who migrated west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. U.S. 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System on June 27, 1985 after it was decided the route was no longer relevant and had been replaced by the Interstate Highway System. More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66 User


Who, for a time, was the wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta ?

Menelaus - Greek Mythology Link About • Copyright © 1997 Carlos Parada and Maicar Förlag. Menelaus advanced 0218: Kopf des Menelaus. Von einer Statuengruppe im Typus des "Pasquino" Römische Kopie nach einem griechischen Werk des 2. Jh. v. Chr. Glyptotek, München. "Look to my affairs, and          to the household, and to our guest from Troy ." (Menelaus to Helen . Ovid, Heroides 17.160). Menelaus is the king of Sparta who was robbed of      his sweet wife Helen by a      guest he received in his palace. For his sake, a      fleet of unprecedented size sailed to Troy in order to demand, by      persuasion or by force, the restoration of Helen and the Spartan      property that the seducer Paris , breaking all laws      of hospitality, had stolen. Youth King Atreus of Mycenae , having a serious feud with his brother Thyestes 1, decided to arrest him. For this purpose he sent his sons, Agamemnon and      Menelaus, who seized him in Delphi , and having      brought him to Mycenae , cast him into prison, where Atreus attempted to      murder him. However, having made false judgements, Atreus was himself killed by Thyestes 1's son Aegisthus , who then gave the throne to his father. As a result, the two Atrides went into exile. They first stayed with King Polyphides 1 of Sicyon , and later with King Oeneus 2 of Calydon . But afterwards,     when they thought the time was ripe to dethrone Mycenae 's hostile ruler,     they returned; and assisted by King Tyndareus of Sparta , they drove Thyestes 1 away to Cythera, an island off the southern coast of the Peloponnesus. Marriage Having thus seized power, the Atrides married      the daughters of Tyndareus : Agamemnon wedded Clytaemnestra ,      sitting as king in Mycenae ; and Menelaus,      having been united to Helen , received the      kingdom from his father-in-law at the time when the DIOSCURI passed away      and went to heaven. The Oath of Tyndareus Now, when Helen was      married, Tyndareus ,      following Odysseus '      advice, exacted an oath from her many SUITORS (kings and      princes of Hellas), stipulating that they would      defend and protect him who was chosen as Helen 's husband against any wrong done against him in regard to his marriage. This was the agreement, and Helen , they say, chose     Menelaus, putting a wreath on his head. Ten years later, Menelaus received Paris as a guest in his      palace, but when several days had passed he had to      sail to Crete in order to      attend the funeral of Catreus (his mother's      father). Taking advantage of his absence, Paris and Helen became lovers, and      having put most of the Spartan treasures on board,      they sailed away to Troy ,      leaving behind little Hermione , daughter of      Menelaus and Helen , then      nine years old. Coalition formed When Menelaus learned what had happened, he bade      his brother Agamemnon to raise an army and demand, by means of threat,      the restoration of his wife and his property. So,      invoking The Oath of Tyndareus , heralds      were sent across Hellas to remind the former SUITORS that they      were bound to defend Helen 's husband, and help him to avenge the outrage. This is how the coalition was formed that gathered in Aulis, a Boeotian harbor opposite the island of Euboea. The mighty fleet, however, could not leave Aulis      because of unfavorable winds; and as impatience      grew in the army, the seer Calchas declared that      they would be able to sail if Agamemnon sacrificed      his daughter Iphigenia to Artemis . This was outrageous, even for a man like Agamemnon ; for even if     the ruler could accept the price, the father would     not. But Menelaus, eager to be avenged, and to have     his wife and property restored, persuaded his     brother to become the murderer of his own daughter,     thus slaying a woman in ord


Who is the hero of George Orwell's novel 1984 ?

1984: By George Orwell’s definition, is Winston Smith a hero? English help please? | Essay Title Generator - getthingsonline.com 1984: By George Orwell’s definition, is Winston Smith a hero? English help please? August 17th, 2013 Timerse George Orwell once offered this definition of heroism: ordinary people doing whatever they can to change social systems that do not respect human decency, even with the knowledge that they can’t possibly succeed.In Winston Smith, the protagonist of 1984, Orwell creates an ordinary person, an "everyman" who stands for all the oppressed citizens of Oceania. Yet, as the novel closes, Winston cries as his love for Big Brother overwhelms him. Is Winston the novel’s hero, by Orwell’s definition? Is he a hero that readers can admire and emulate? Explain your position by tracing Winston’s actions throughout the novel and considering the results of those actions.Cite specific examples from the novel in your response.I can't decide which side to take.He is a hero because:-he bought his diary and wrote in it-he continuously wrote "down with big brother"-he went about his love affair with Julia-it took him a long time to become brainwashed--> all of this even though he would be tortured and/or killed if he got caught.He's not a hero because:-he broke at the end of the novel, told them to set the rats on Julia-at the end of the novel, he loves Big Brother-he doesn't openly revolt, he sneaks around instead-his rebellion can be interpreted as purely for his own desires, rather than a need to rebel against the governmentWhat do you think? Please don't answer if you haven't at least thoroughly read the sparknotes on the book. Also, please don't tell me to do my own homework, because I have obviously read the book, I just can't decide which side to take for my essay. Both sides seem to be sort of equal. I need three specific examples in the essay, and I have those four in mind for each, but I don't know which side is stronger or which examples are the best to use. So if anyone has any opinion or any thoughts on this, please help me out. I'm not asking for someone to write my essay, I just need a little guidance and maybe some ideas. Thanks!Of course, 10 points to best answer. Thanks again. Similar Asks: Whats a good essay topic on the novel 1984 by George Orwell? - 1. Describe Winston’s character as it relates to his attitude toward the Party. In what ways might his fatalistic streak contribute to his ultimate downfall?2. How does technology affect the Party’s ability to control its citizens? In what ways does the Party employ technology throughout the book?3. Discuss the idea of Room 101, the place Bush Administration?/George Orwell? - I just read a book called 1984 written by George Orwell.I need to write an essay abouthow the policies of the Bush Administration parallel those of Big Brother and the effect it has upon civil liberties in the United States.Any ideas?THanks! User tags:1984 george orwell was winston a hero1984 hero anti hero quotes1984- winston showing heroismgeorge Shakepeare’s twelfth night and sonnet 130…please help? - I am writting and essay to analyze how both cover the similair theme to not judge a book by its cover. In twelfth night I know that Olivia is pretending to be her brother and the queen falls in love with her, olivia is also in love with the man teaching her to mature into Verbal irony? Please help… I have an English essay.? - I’ve looked in my text book at the definition but that hasn’t helped. I need like some really good examples. I have to write an essay explaining the use of verbal and dramatic irony in a specific passage of a book that my English class has read, The Crucible(A play about the Salem Witch Trials). How would i go about writing an Expository Essay on the definition of a “tragic hero”? - I am writing an essay on the definition of a tragic hero for my college Eng. 70 class. I have the definition down, I’m just unsure of how to start out the essay.. Should I use the definition as my topic sentence in my intro? What should my body paragraphs consist of? (Exam


In which century was the mausoleum known as the Taj Mahal built ?

The Taj Mahal - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com Google Taj Mahal: Shah Jahan’s Romantic Gesture Shah Jahan was a member of the Mughal dynasty that ruled most of northern India from the early 16th to the mid 18th-century. After the death of his father, King Jahangir, in 1627, Shah Jahan emerged the victor of a bitter power struggle with his brothers, and crowned himself emperor at Agra in 1628. At his side was Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal (“Chosen One of the Palace”), whom he married in 1612 and cherished as the favorite of his three queens. Did You Know? According to one gruesome (and most likely sensational) story, Shah Jahan had his minions cut off the hands of the Taj Mahal's architect and his workers after the structure was completed, ensuring they would never build another of its kind. In 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died after giving birth to the couple’s 14th child. The grieving Shah Jahan, known for commissioning a number of impressive structures throughout his reign, ordered the building of a magnificent mausoleum across the Yamuna River from his own royal palace at Agra. Construction began around 1632 and would continue for the next two decades. The chief architect was probably Ustad Ahmad Lahouri, an Indian of Persian descent who would later be credited with designing the Red Fort at Delhi. In all, more than 20,000 workers from India, Persia, Europe and the Ottoman Empire, along with some 1,000 elephants, were brought in to build the mausoleum complex. Design and Construction of the Taj Mahal Named the Taj Mahal in honor of Mumtaz Mahal, the mausoleum was constructed of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones (including jade, crystal, lapis lazuli, amethyst and turquoise) forming intricate designs in a technique known as pietra dura. Its central dome reached a height of 240 feet (73 meters) and was surrounded by four smaller domes; four slender towers, or minarets, stood at the corners. In accordance with Islamic tradition, verses from the Quran were inscribed in calligraphy on the arched entrances to the mausoleum, in addition to numerous other sections of the complex. Inside the mausoleum, an octagonal marble chamber adorned with carvings and semi-precious stones housed the cenotaph, or false tomb, of Mumtaz Mahal. The real sarcophagus containing her actual remains lay below, at garden level. The rest of the Taj Mahal complex included a main gateway of red sandstone and a square garden divided into quarters by long pools of water, as well as a red sandstone mosque and an identical building called a jawab (or “mirror”) directly across from the mosque. Traditional Mughal building practice would allow no future alterations to be made to the complex. As the story goes, Shah Jahan intended to build a second grand mausoleum across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, where his own remains would be buried when he died; the two structures were to have been connected by a bridge. In fact, Aurangzeb (Shah Jahan’s third son with Mumtaz Mahal) deposed his ailing father in 1658 and took power himself. Shah Jahan lived out the last years of his life under house arrest in a tower of the Red Fort at Agra, with a view of the majestic resting place he had constructed for his wife; when he died in 1666, he was buried next to her. The Taj Mahal Over the Years Under Aurangzeb’s long rule (1658-1707), the Mughal empire reached the height of its strength. However, his militant Muslim policies, including the destruction of many Hindu temples and shrines, undermined the enduring strength of the empire and led to its demise by the mid-18th century. Even as Mughal power crumbled, the Taj Mahal suffered from neglect and disrepair in the two centuries after Shah Jahan’s death. Near the turn of the 19th century, Lord Curzon, then British viceroy of India, ordered a major restoration of the mausoleum complex as part of a colonial effort to preserve India’s artistic and cultural heritage. Today, some 3 million people a year (or around 45,000 a day during peak tourist season) visit the Taj Mahal. Air pollution from nearby fac


In what academic discipline does Queen guitarist Brian May hold a PhD from Imperial College , London ?

Doctors of Rock: 10 Musicians with PhDs - The Best Colleges Doctors of Rock: 10 Musicians with PhDs  Share “We don’t need no education” sang Pink Floyd, famously. Regardless of where you live – New Hampshire , New Jersey , Ohio , South Carolina , Wyoming – you’ve probably heard that famous line. Apparently though, not all their fellow musicians agreed. Defying the stereotypes of theÂ stupid rocker, brainless pop star and dumb punk,Â these ten musicians took their formal education as far as it would go. 1. Greg Graffin Lead singer and songwriter of the influential punk band Bad Religion, Graffin got his PhD in zoology from Cornell and regularly teaches courses in geology at UCLA. Graffin has co-authored two books on science and religion, Is Belief in God Good, Bad or Irrelevant: A Professor and a Punk Rocker Discuss Science, Religion, Naturalism and Christianity (2006) and more recently Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science and Bad Religion in a World Without God (2010). Maybe God is dead, but not punk! 2. Brian May The legendary Queen guitarist and composer earned a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London. MayÂ began working on his PhD over 30 years prior to completing it in 2007, but got sidetracked when Queen hit the big-time. Apparently its never too late to finish what you started. 3. Brian Briggs Singer and co-founder of the British folk-pop band Stornoway, Briggs has a PhD inÂ zoology from the University of Oxford, writing hisÂ dissertation on duck behavior. Briggs found time toÂ craftÂ songs in his head whileÂ driving back and forthÂ between Oxford and the various ponds where he did his research. Who knew what ornithologists didÂ with their down time? 4. Brian Cox While finishing up his PhD in physics at the University of Manchester, Cox was the keyboardist for the popular 90â€™s Irish pop rock/synthpop and dance band D:Ream. Now a professor at the University of Manchester,Â Cox made it into People Magazineâ€™s Sexiest Men Alive issue in 2009. D:Reamy. 5. Sterling Morrison Co-founder and guitaristÂ for the seminal experimental rock band Velvet Underground, Morrison completed a PhD in medieval studies at the University of Texas at Austin after the band split up in 1971. Morrison worked his way through graduate school piloting tugboats, eventually earning his captainâ€™s license. That’s Dr. Captain Morrison to you. 6. Milo Aukerman Lead singer of the popular Los Angeles area punk band the Descendents, Aukerman earned his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison . Unashamed of his academic bent and general nerdiness, Aukerman and theÂ Descendents titled their first full-length album Milo Goes to College(1982). Aukerman has yet to figure out how to juggle touring and science, but has contemplated building a research lab in the back of his tour bus. 7. Mira Aroyo The Bulgarian born Aroyo is a keyboardist, singer and songwriter for the electropop/New Wave band Ladytron, and also a research scientist with a PhD in molecular genetics from Oxford University. Besides speaking several languages, it is rumored Aroyo can play a mean accordion. Sorry guys, she’s married. 8. Dan Snaith Snaith, who goes under the stage names Caribou and Manitoba, is a Canadian born electronica/psychedelic pop composer and musician with a PhD in mathematics from Imperial College London. Snaithâ€™s father is a mathematics professor at the University of Sheffield and his sister is studying mathematics at the University of Bristol. Insert nerdy math joke here. 9. David Grubbs Probably best known for his work with the experimental rock group Gastr del Sol, Grubbs was also a founding member of Squirrel Bait and Bastro, and a contributing member of the The Red Krayola and The Wingdale Community Singers. Somewhere in the midst of all that Grubbs found the time to complete a PhD in English at the University of Chicago.Â The hands-down winner of “the guy who played in the most bands with the wierdest names” contest, Grubbs is alsoÂ an assistant professor of Radio and Sound Art at Brooklyn College, CUNY. 10. Karl Precoda Legendary


In Alexandre Dumas's novel The Man In the Iron Mask , the man is the twin brother of which king ?

The Man in the Iron Mask : Alexandre Dumas : 9781905638536 The Man in the Iron Mask Paperback By (author)  Alexandre Dumas , Retold by  Jim Pipe , Illustrated by  Penko Gelev Share US$5.97 US$9.67 You save US$3.70 Free delivery worldwide Add to basket Add to wishlist Description "Graffex" is a new series of illustrated literary classics retold for young readers. "The Man in the Iron Mask" is the last instalment of the adventures of the famous musketeers, Athos, Aramis, Porthos and D'Artagnan. They become involved in a plot to depose King Louis XIV and replace him with his secret twin brother, but the plot goes horribly wrong and leads to an exciting showdown where our heroes must fight for their lives against terrible odds. This classic story is presented as an exciting and fast-paced graphic novel which remains faithful to Dumas' original text - unlike the many later film versions.Specially commissioned full-colour artwork brings excitement and atmosphere to this classic tale. Speech bubbles work with the main text to emphasise and enhance the retelling. There is a detailed timeline of important events during Dumas' lifetime, and notes on the historical characters who appear in the novel. Information about Dumas' life and work - including a list of film and TV adaptations - is provided to encourage young readers to explore other works by this perennially popular author. show more Product details 170                   x 259                   x 5mm                                   | 178g Publication date


Which of his sons succeeded King Alfred the Great ?

King Alfred the Great of England (849-901) lfred, b. 849, d. Oct. 26, 899, succeeded his brother ï¿½thelred as king of Wessex in April 871. Both he and his brother were sons of King ï¿½thelwulf. The only English king called "the Great," Alfred is renowned both for his ability as a war leader and for his love of learning. He can be counted, with Charlemagne, as one of the two most outstanding rulers of the 9th century. Alfred was the first English monarch to plan systematically for the defense of his realm against the Danes, with whom he was almost constantly at war from 876 until the end of his life. He was also the first monarch of an English kingdom to become a symbol and focus of national unity. Although effective ruler only of Wessex and English Mercia, he was regarded as the protector of all the English living under Danish rule. His capture of London in 886, which marked the farthest extent of his essentially defensive territorial expansion, led to general English recognition of his leadership. After his death, however, Wessex and Mercia were still unable to expel the Danes from England. A learned layman, Alfred tried to ensure that his countrymen had the opportunity to become literate. To that end, he relied upon the bishops of the Anglo-Saxon church both to teach and to seek out students. Alfred himself translated into Anglo-Saxon the Pastoral Care of Pope Gregory I, Orosiuss Seven Books of History Against the Pagans, Boethiuss Consolation of Philosophy, (possibly) the Ecclesiastical History of the Venerable Bede, and part of Saint Augustine of Hippos Soliloquies. To each of these except the fourth he added his own commentary. Alfreds military victories saved English culture and national identity from destruction, and his intellectual activities began the education of his people in the Latin heritage. James W. Alexander Bibliography: Duckett, Eleanor S., Alfred the Great (1956); Dumville, David, Wessex and England from Alfred to Edgar (1992); Frantzen, Allen, King Alfred (1986); Mapp, Alf Johnson, The Golden Dragon (1974; repr. 1991); Smyth, Alfred P., King Alfred the Great (1996); Stevenson, W. H., ed., Assers Life of King Alfred (1904; repr. 1959); Sturdy, David, Alfred the Great (1995); Woodruff, Douglas, The Life and Times of Alfred the Great (1974). [Groliers Online Encyclopedia] Alfred, the Great (c. 849-c. 901) King of Wessex from 871. He defended England against Danish invasion, founded the first English navy, and put into operation a legal code. He encouraged the translation of works from Latin (some he translated himself), and promoted the development of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle . Alfred was born at Wantage, Oxfordshire, the youngest son of Ethelwulf (died 858), king of the West Saxons. In 870 Alfred and his brother Ethelred fought many battles against the Danes. He gained a victory over the Danes at Ashdown 871, and succeeded Ethelred as king April 871 after a series of defeats. Five years of uneasy peace followed while the Danes were occupied in other parts of England. In 876 the Danes attacked again, and in 878 Alfred was forced to retire to the stronghold of *Athelney, from where he finally emerged to win the victory of Edington, Wiltshire. By the Peace of Wedmore 878 the Danish leader Guthrum (died 890) agreed to withdraw from Wessex and from Mercia west of Watling Street. A new landing in Kent encouraged a revolt of the East Anglian Danes, which was suppressed 884-86, and after the final foreign invasion was defeated 892-96, Alfred strengthened the navy to prevent fresh incursions. ï¿½ Copyright Helicon Publishing Ltd 1996 [The Hutchinson Encyclopedia] Alfred [Old Eng. ï¿½lfred], 849-899, king of Wessex (871-99), sometimes called Alfred the Great, b. Wantage, Berkshire. Youngest of the four sons of King ï¿½thelwulf, he was sent in 853 and again in 855 to Rome, where the pope invested him with the honorary dignity of a Roman consul. He lacked adequate instruction and learned to read English only after he was 12. His adolescence was marked by ill-health and deep religious devotion, both of whi


BBC TV science presenter Brian Cox played keyboards with which nineties band ?

The Observer profile: Brian Cox | Science | The Guardian The Observer profile Putting the fizz into physics The former keyboard player with D:Ream is set to become the nation's favourite scientist after talking us through the subatomic goings-on at Cern. Just don't mention the end of the world... Saturday 13 September 2008 19.01 EDT First published on Saturday 13 September 2008 19.01 EDT Share on Messenger Close In the transient media parlance, Gordon Ramsay is a 'rock star' chef, Dan Snow is a 'rock star' historian and Sarah Palin is now a 'rock star' politician. In the case of Dr Brian Cox , the soubriquet is not so much tired as justified. The scientist who leapt to ubiquity last week, enthusing over what he describes as mankind's 'biggest project since Apollo', had a previous life in a Nineties band with regular gigs on Top of the Pops. Cox played keyboards for D:Ream for the last time in May 1997. The occasion was New Labour's election night party at the Royal Festival Hall, and the song was 'Things Can Only Get Better'. In the years that followed, Britain got Blair and physics got its own ambitious, telegenic communicator in Cox. Today, as Blair's heir is apparently sucked into a black hole, Cox is poised to slip the surly bonds of geekiness and become the god of small things. A youthful 40, without a boffin whisker in sight, and articulating in the kind of regional accent that TV executives find 'warm', Cox became the acceptable face of physics last week when the world's most powerful particle experiment was switched on at the Cern international science centre. In vast underground caverns near Geneva, the £5bn Large Hadron Collider (LHC), where Cox works on a particle detector called Atlas, has begun recreating the conditions present in the universe less than a billionth of a second after the big bang. The event captured the public imagination, or at least the media's, on the day with blanket coverage on Radio 4 and an image on Google's homepage, which the internet company told Cox will have been seen by around half a billion people. To Cox himself fell the role of public oracle, conveying the strange beauty and violence of subatomic particles, and making unfathomably complex science accessible to the man in the street via BBC2's Newsnight, Radio 4, Australia's equivalent of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and countless other media. He reeled off facts and figures of undeniable wow factor: the accelerator's circumference of 27 kilometres, buried about 100 metres underground; the temperature inside the tube, -271C, colder than space, making it the biggest fridge in the world; a proton beam whizzing around one way - 11,000 times a second, with as much energy as an aircraft carrier going at 30mph - and another proton beam whizzing around the other way; the beams smashing together up to 600 million times a second. Among the aims of the biggest experiment of all time: to isolate the elusive Higgs boson, or 'God particle', which gives the matter in the universe its mass. As Cox put it, with his gift for user-friendly terms, that really means: why is this table solid? Some marginal scientists warned that the LHC might conjure a black hole that would gobble up the entire planet, a gift to any headline writer who ever dreamt of plastering 'End of the world is nigh' on sandwich boards. Cox and his colleagues received cranky emails including implied death threats. Eventually, as peeved as Richard Dawkins at a convention of creationists, he delivered a blunt riposte: 'Anyone who thinks the LHC will destroy the world is a twat.' In this plain-speaking professor from Manchester University, television might have discovered its evangelist for science. Just as history has fresh-faced Tristram Hunt or Bettany Hughes brimming with passion for the subject, so Cox's enthusiasm for physics could be the biggest boost for the subject since David Tennant flourished a sonic screwdriver in Doctor Who. He has the looks, the likes-a-drink-or-two street cred, and still a lingering rebellious streak: he married his American wife, glamorous TV p


What rank in the British Army was abolished in 1904 ?

Army Council (1904) | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit The disastrous campaigns of the Crimean War led to the consolidation of all administrative duties in 1855 under the Secretary of State for War, a Cabinet post. That office was not, however, solely responsible for the Army; the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) held a virtually equal level of responsibility. This was reduced in theory by the 1870 reforms introduced by Edward Cardwell , which subordinated the C-in-C to the Secretary for War. In practice, however, a huge amount of influence was retained by the exceedingly conservative C-in-C Field Marshal Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge , who held the post between 1856-1895. His resistance to reform caused military efficiency to lag well behind Britain's rivals, a problem which became painfully obvious during the Second Boer War . The situation was only remedied in 1904 when the post of Commander-in-Chief was abolished and replaced with that of the Chief of the General Staff . An Army Council was created along similar lines to the Board of Admiralty , chaired by the Secretary of State for War, and an Imperial General Staff was established to coordinate Army administration. [1] All branches of the Army were directed to be subordinated to the Army Council, which was designated as the "supreme administering body" of the Army. [2] In 1964 the Army Council was reconstituted as the Army Board. [3] See also


History of Snooker including how snooker was invented, how snooker was named and how snooker has developed over the years   History of Snooker Below               is what we understand to be the 'History of Snooker'.               Snooker compared to Billiards is a relatively new               game that has fast become one of the nations most               popular spectator and participation sports. Find out               more below about how it was first invented and the               unexpected way the name 'Snooker' was given it's name. Billiards which snooker derived from was            thought to be played as early as the 1340's, with Louis            XI of France owning a billiard table in the 1470's. The term 'snooker' was given to the game            by Colonel Sir Neville Chamberlain in 1875 whilst serving            in the Army. In the Officers' Mess at Jubbulpore in India,            gambling games such as pyramids, life pool and black pool            were popular, with fifteen reds and a black used in the            latter. To these were added yellow, green and pink, with            blue and brown introduced some years later. One afternoon            Chamberlain's Devonshire regiment was visited by an young            officer who had been trained at the Royal Military Academy            in Woolwich. This officer explained that a first-year cadet            at the Academy was referred to as a 'snooker'. Later, when            one of the players failed to hole a coloured ball, Chamberlain            shouted to him: 'Why, you're a regular snooker.' He then            pointed out the meaning and that they were all 'snookers'            at the game. The name was adopted for the game itself. Chamberlain himself joined the Central            India Horse in 1876, taking the game with him. After being            wounded in the Afghan War, he moved to Ooatacamund and the            game became the speciality of the 'Ooty Club', with rules            being posted in the billiards room. John Roberts (Junior), who was then Billiards            Champion, visited India in 1885, met Chamberlain at dinner            with the Maharajah of Cooch Behar and enquired about the            rules of snooker. He then introduced the game into England,            although it was many years before it became widely played            there. Manufacturers of billiards equipment, however, soon            realised the commercial possibilities of snooker, and by            the end of the 1800's the game had developed as had the            tables into as we know them today. The biggest individual contribution to            snooker came from Joe Davis and his brother Fred who dominated            the game for over 50 years between them and were instrumental            in the games transition from a grand aristocratic game to            a working class pastime. Joe won 15 consecutive world championships            and Fred won 8 world championships. There was only a handful            of decent players but the standard was relatively low the            highest break in 1922 being 33, Joe's game developed to            a point where he made a 147 maximum break which was recognized            in 1957, and was obviously way ahead of his time in terms            of skills and techniques. Fred was younger than Joe by 12            years and was unlucky not to have had his name highlighted            in snooker history like his brothers. Fred came very close            to beating J


"An ""event horizon"" is the defining feature of which astronomical phenonmenon ?"

event - definition - What is ? What is ? definition : event Event may refer to: ==Gatherings of people== * Ceremony, an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion * Convention (meeting), a gathering of individuals engaged in some common interest * Event management, the organization of events * Festival, an event that celebrates some unique aspect of a community * Happening, a type of artistic performance * Media event, an event created for publicity * Party, a large social or recreational gathering * Sporting event, at which athletic competition takes place ==In science, technology, and mathematics== * Event (computing), a software message indicating that something has happened, such as a keystroke or mouse click * Event (philosophy), an object in time, or an instantiation of a property in an object * Event (probability theory), a set of outcomes to which a probability is assigned * Event (relativity), a point in space at an instant in time, i.e. a location in spacetime * Event (synchronization primitive), a type of synchronization mechanism * Event (UML), in Unified Modeling Language, a notable occurrence at a particular point in time * Event (particle physics), refers to the results just after a fundamental interaction took place between subatomic particles * Event horizon, a boundary in spacetime, typically surrounding a black hole, beyond which events cannot affect an exterior observer * Celestial event, an astronomical phenomenon of interest * Extinction event, a sharp decrease in the number of extant species in a short period of time * Impact event, in which an extraterrestrial object impacts planet * Mental event, something that happens in the mind, such as a thought ==In arts and entertainment== * The Event, an American conspiracy thriller television series for NBC * The Event (2003 film), a 2003 film directed by Thom Fitzgerald * Derren Brown: The Events, a Channel 4 television series featuring the illusionist Derren Brown * Event, a literary magazine published by Douglas College ==See also== * Competition, a contest between organisms, animals, individuals, groups, etc. * Disaster, an event causing significant damage or destruction, loss of life, or change to the environment * Event chain methodology, in project management * Eventing, an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country and show-jumping * Eventive (disambiguation) * Grouped Events, in philosophy, the experience of two or more events that occur in sequence or concurrently that can be subsequently categorized * News, new information or information on current events * Phenomenon, any observable occurrence * Portal:Current events (Wikipedia portal) * Sequence of events * Sustainable event management or Event Greening * The Event (disambiguation)


Who was the mother of King Henry VI of England ?

HENRY VI, King of England (1421-1471) [Wars of the Roses] Search   HENRY VI, King of England, son of King Henry V and Catherine of Valois , was born at Windsor on the 6th of December 1421. He became King of England on the 1st of September 1422, and a few weeks later, on the death of his grandfather Charles VI, was proclaimed king of France also. Henry V had directed that Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick , should be his son's preceptor; Warwick took up his charge in 1428; he trained his pupil to be a good man and refined gentleman, but he could not teach him kingship. As early as 1423 the baby king was made to appear at public functions and take his place in parliament. He was knighted by his uncle Bedford at Leicester in May 1426, and on the 6th of November 1429 was crowned at Westminster. Early in the next year he was taken over to France, and after long delay crowned in Paris on the 26th of December 1431. His return to London on the 14th of February 1432 was celebrated with a great pageant devised by Lydgate . During these early years Bedford ruled France wisely and at first with success, but he could not prevent the mischief which Humphrey of Gloucester caused both at home and abroad. Even in France the English lost ground steadily after the victory of Joan of Arc before Orleans in 1429. The climax came with the death of Bedford, and defection of Philip of Burgundy in 1435. This closed the first phase of Henry's reign. There followed fifteen years of vain struggle in France, and growing disorder at home [cf. Hundred Years' War ]. The determining factor in politics was the conduct of the war. Cardinal Beaufort , and after him Suffolk , sought by working for peace to secure at least Guienne and Normandy. Gloucester courted popularity by opposing them throughout; with him was Richard of York , who stood next in succession to the crown. Beaufort controlled the council, and it was under his guidance that the king began to take part in the government. Thus it was natural that as Henry grew to manhood he seconded heartily the peace policy. That policy was wise, but national pride made it unpopular and difficult. Henry himself had not the strength or knowledge to direct it, and was unfortunate in his advisers. The cardinal was old, his nephews John and Edmund Beaufort were incompetent, Suffolk, though a man of noble character, was tactless. Suffolk, however, achieved a great success by negotiating the marriage of Henry to Margaret of Anjou in 1445. Humphrey of Gloucester and Cardinal Beaufort both died early in 1447. Suffolk was now all-powerful in the favour of the king and queen [ Margaret of Anjou ]. But his home administration was unpopular, whilst the incapacity of Edmund Beaufort ended in the loss of all Normandy and Guienne. Suffolk's fall in 1450 left Richard of York the foremost man in England. Henry's reign then entered on its last phase of dynastic struggle. Cade's rebellion suggested first that popular discontent might result in a change of rulers. But York, as heir to the throne, could abide his time. The situation was altered by the mental derangement of the king, and the birth of his son in 1453. York after a struggle secured the protectorship, and for the next year ruled England. Then Henry was restored to sanity, and the queen and Edmund Beaufort, now Duke of Somerset , to power. Open war followed, with the defeat and death of Somerset at St Albans on the 22nd of May 1455. Nevertheless a hollow peace was patched up, which continued during four years with lack of all governance. In 1459 war broke out again. On the 10th of July 1460, Henry was taken prisoner at Northampton , and forced to acknowledge York as heir, to the exclusion of his own son. Richard of York 's death at Wakefield (Dec. 31, 1460), and the queen's victory at St Albans (Feb. 17, 1461) , brought Henry his freedom and no more. Edward of York had himself proclaimed king, and by his decisive victory at Towton on the 29th of March, put an end to Henry's reign. For over three years Henry was a fugitive in Scotland. He returned to take part in an


What title did George Orwell give his book recalling his time as a soldier in the Spanish Civil War ?

Homage to Catalonia: George Orwell, Will Jonson: 9781505818390: Amazon.com: Books Homage to Catalonia Buy the selected items together This item:Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell Paperback $6.99 In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. Paperback $11.29 Prime Page 1 of 1 Start over Sponsored Products are advertisements for products sold by merchants on Amazon.com. When you click on a Sponsored Product ad, you will be taken to an Amazon detail page where you can learn more about the product and purchase it. To learn more about Amazon Sponsored Products, click here . Man with Gun and The Sea of Ulysses John Ireland Killers, cops, movie stars, Jesus, Bella Darvi, a teenage boy's secret, reality and fiction all bend and blend into a psychological autobiography The Libyan Esther Kofod THE LIBYAN provides a rare look into an obscure culture and a young mothers journey into a chaotic world of political intrigue... Ad feedback Special Offers and Product Promotions A National Review Top Ten Best Nonfiction Books of the Century   “One of Orwell’s very best books and perhaps the best book that exists on the Spanish Civil War.”—The New Yorker   In 1936, originally intending merely to report on the Spanish Civil War as a journalist, George Orwell found himself embroiled as a participant—as a member of the Workers’ Party of Marxist Unity. Fighting against the Fascists, he described in painfully vivid and occasionally comic detail life in the trenches—with a “democratic army” composed of men with no ranks, no titles, and often no weapons—and his near fatal wounding. As the politics became tangled, Orwell was pulled into a heartbreaking conflict between his own personal ideals and the complicated realities of political power struggles.   Considered one of the finest works by a man V. S. Pritchett called “the wintry conscience of a generation,” Homage to Catalonia is both Orwell’s memoir of his experiences at the front and his tribute to those who died in what he called a fight for common decency. This edition features a new foreword by Adam Hochschild placing the war in greater context and discussing the evolution of Orwell’s views on the Spanish Civil War.   “No one except George Orwell . . . made the violence and self-dramatization of Spain so burning and terrible.”— Alfred Kazin, New York Times