Tenerife, La Palma, and Fuerteventura are part of what Spanish island chain?

Travel information, videos and reviews on the beautiful Canary Islands Highlights of Canary Islands Canary Islands The islands of the eternal spring, the archipelago Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, form a part of Spain, although they are more closely situated to Africa. The seven islands: La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and the two lesser unspoilt islands of Hierro and Gomera, form a part of a volcanic mountain range which lies beneath the Atlantic Ocean. The all year sub-tropical climate, which is regulated by the Gulf Stream and Trade Winds, attracts thousands of visitors every year to the islands who come to enjoy the sun, sea, nightlife and hospitality of the Canarian people. However, it’s all too easy to arrive on your trip to the Canary Islands, plonk yourself on the beach and stay there without actually exploring all of the marvellous attractions that the islands have to offer. History The Canary Islands birth dates back to 8-12 million years ago, with the development of a volcanic mountain range underwater in the Atlantic, which at different intervals erupted forming the archipelago. It is understood that the first people were of aboriginal and of northwest African origin, they were named Guanches. They were conquered by the Spanish over 500 years ago, but not without putting up a great fight. During the dark ages the islands were forgotten by Europe, and it wasn’t until the 13th century that they were once again rediscovered. In the 14th century they were conquered on behalf of the Spanish by the Norman captain, Jean de Bethencourt, who conquered Lanzarote. When Christopher Columbus stopped on in the Canary Islands on his way to discover the Americas, it put the islands on the map as a strategic stop-off point for many years to follow. Tenerife The island of Tenerife is the largest of the Canary archipelago and is known as the island of eternal spring because of its all year round excellent climate. The island is full of stark contrasts and has a great variety of scenery which varies through the regions. A mountain chain runs through its centre fro Anaga to Teno and on both of its slopes there are large, exuberantly fertile valleys, among them especially La Orotava and Gumar. In the heart of the chain there is a gigantic, natural crater, called Las Cañadas del Teide, which is about 29 km across and has officially been declared a National Park. It lies over 2,000 m above sea level. North of the crater stands El Pico del Teide (Mount Teide), a 3,718 m high mountain, which is the highest point in Spain. It is snow covered in the winter and marks the island with its unique silhouette. The capital city is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the most popular holiday destinations include Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos,, Puerto de la Cruz and Adeje. Gran Canaria The island of Gran Canaria is situated in the centre of the Canary Island archipelago and is the third largest island after Tenerife and Fuerteventura. Its diversity of landscapes, magnificent beaches and friendly, laid-back atmosphere make Gran Canaria an ideal family holiday destination, anytime of the year. Las Palmas is the capital of the island and its main destination resorts are Puerto Rico, Maspalomas, with its beautiful sand dune nature reserve, Puerto de Mogan and Playa del Ingles. Fuerteventura Fuerteventura is the island closest to the coast of North Africa, being just 100 kilometres from Morocco. It’s the second largest island and is renowned for its long, golden sand beaches and sand dunes. The island is a paradise for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. It is also believed to be the oldest of all of the islands in the Archipelago. The capital of Fuerteventura is Puerto del Rosario, and its main destination resorts are Antigua, Caleta de Fuste, Corralejo and El Cotillo and Morro Jable. Lanzarote Lanzarote is situated just 70 miles off the coast of Africa, the most easterly of the Canary Islands and one of the smallest. As with the other Canary Islands, Lanzarote has a volcanic landscape, which giv


What fictional character has a skeleton made of adamantium?

Wolverine | fictional character | Britannica.com fictional character comic strip Wolverine, comic-book character whose gruff, violent disposition set the standard for later antiestablishment comic heroes. The character was created for Marvel Comics by writer Len Wein and artist John Romita, Sr. Wolverine—who possesses razor-sharp claws, the ability to rapidly heal virtually any injury, and a skeleton reinforced with an indestructible metal—made his first full appearance in The Incredible Hulk no. 181 (1974). Hugh Jackman as the title character in The Wolverine (2013), directed by … Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation/Marvel Entertainment Wolverine was created at the request of Marvel’s then editor in chief Roy Thomas, who wanted a Canadian hero to boost north-of-the-border sales. Although artist Herb Trimpe drew the Hulk stories, it was Marvel art director John Romita, Sr., who designed the costume and clawed look of Wolverine. His initial yellow-and-blue attire did not evoke the image of a ferocious woodland animal, but his trio of claws and his surly attitude made him stand out among superheroes of the day. Readers discovered Wolverine to be a dangerous loner in the tradition of the western antihero; he has no compunctions about killing, but he treats the helpless well (as long as they cause him no trouble). Wolverine was soon transferred to the pages of the revitalized X-Men series with Giant-Size X-Men no. 1 (1975), but he received little attention until 1977, when writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne developed the character further. It was revealed that Wolverine’s mutant powers included superhuman strength and reflexes, enhanced senses and tracking abilities, and a special healing power that also slows his aging. His powers enabled him to survive a mysterious process whereby his entire skeleton had been coated in an indestructible alloy known as adamantium. Over subsequent years, writers slowly revealed Wolverine’s history, notably his ties to Japan, which included a love affair with the daughter of a Japanese crime lord and a background steeped in Japanese martial arts and traditions. Similar Topics Spider-Man This aspect of the character was explored further in Wolverine (1982), a much-lauded miniseries written by Claremont and drawn by Frank Miller . The anthology series Marvel Comics Presents, which debuted in September 1988, furthered the character by featuring a Wolverine serialized story in almost every issue. The most famous of these—a story known as “ Weapon X ”—ran in 1991 and finally showed the experiments by which Wolverine’s skeleton was covered with adamantium. As more details about Wolverine’s past were unveiled throughout the 1990s and the early 21st century, it became increasingly clear that the character was far older than he appeared to be. It was established that he had fought alongside Captain America and others during World War II , but he seemed older than that. The character’s full backstory was finally revealed in the Origin miniseries (2001–02), which was set near the end of the 19th century. Wolverine was born James Howlett to a wealthy family in Alberta, Canada. With a completely withdrawn mother and a busy father, James was cared for largely by a hired playmate, a red-haired girl named Rose. After the family’s groundskeeper killed James’s father, bony claws protruded from young James’s hands for the first time, and he used them to fatally stab the groundskeeper—a man later revealed to be James’s real father. This chain of events ultimately led to the suicide of James’s mother. Rose took James to a mining colony to live and gave him the name Logan. As Marvel expanded its offerings beyond the printed page, Wolverine figured prominently in other media. Hugh Jackman offered a star-turning performance as the gruff mutant in the first live-action X-Men (2000). Jackman reprised the role in the sequels X2 (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) and starred as the lead character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013). He made a


What mythical bird rises from its own ashes?

The Phoenix Mythical Bird Home Cultures and Society Legends & Folklore The Phoenix Mythical Bird The Phoenix lives a long life, and then is consumed by flames, only to immediately rise again from the ashes. This mythical bird is surrounded by folklore and legend. Read on to know about this legendary fictitious bird. By Mansi Chitranshi | Saturday, February 14, 2009 Phoenix - To Burn Itself and Rise Again From Its Ashes The phoenix bird is a symbol of immortality, rebirth and afterlife. In earliest Greek and Egyptian mythology, it is linked with the sun god. As per the Greeks, Phoenix resides in Arabia, close to a cold well. Each sunrise at dawn, the sun god would stop his chariot to listen to the bird sing a melodious song while it bathed in the well. Only one phoenix exists at a time. When the bird felt its death was near, every 500 to 1,461 years, it would build a nest of aromatic wood and set it on fire. The bird then was consumed by the flames. Legend The phoenix, germinating in the legends of ancient Egypt, has become a common emblem of reincarnation and the most legendary of all magnificent birds. Covered with red and gold feathers, it carries the color of the rising sun; it had a harmonious voice that became despondent with impending bereavement. Other mortals were then so surmounted by its beauty and melancholy that they themselves fell dead. The prodigy surrounding the Phoenix bird has myriad variants, with some of the most primitive accounts dating back to 8 centuries before the Christ was born. It is said that if the Phoenix is wounded, it can cure itself and enjoy a long life span. When the Phoenix gets close to the termination of its life, it's believed to build itself a nest of fragrant spices such as cinnamon and myrrh. It then sets the nest and itself on fire and is burned to ashes. Soon after, the Phoenix rises again and starts its life anew. In some customs, the new Phoenix collects the ashes of the old and takes them to Heliopolis to present them to the Sun God. Portrayal - What a Phoenix Looks Like Phoenix, as described by appearance, has the dimension of an eagle, with gold plumage around the neck, an amethyst body, and a sapphire tail. The throat has a crown, and the head has a clump of feathers. Traits - Some Attributes The main characteristic of the phoenix is that it is reborn through fire: when it gets aged it will make a nest and put it on fire. The phoenix will envelop in the flames, but will take another life out of the ashes. There can be only one Phoenix at a time; its life extends for many years (accounts vary from 500, 540, 1000 or 1460 years.) No one has ever seen this bird devour. This myth was very widespread among the Egyptians, the Greek, oriental cultures, and during ancient period. The Phoenix Re-emerges Phoenix, as they believe, is the only bird competent of restoring and reproducing its own life form. Contrasting to other birds, the Phoenix does not nourish on seeds, but on the gum of frankincense (a pungent resin) and the juices of amomum (an herb of the ginger family) Phoenix represents Phoenix is said to represent the sun, which dies ach night and take a new birth every morning. Some traditional writers also relate it with "existing in heaven", enjoying everlasting adolescence. Amid Christians, it signifies reincarnation. Also Referred to As Also called Feng-Huang- (Chinese adaptation) in this translation, the bird is sent to the world to execute astonishing tasks and to assist the development of mankind. It emerges in diverse phases of the earth's evolution, and then proceeds to heaven.


What 2013 film is the highest-grossing animated movie of all-time?

30 Highest Grossing Animated Movies of All Time Worldwide Search 30 Highest Grossing Animated Movies of All Time Worldwide Cartoon characters that cleaned up at the worldwide box office, from “The Lion King” to “Zootopia” A look at top animated moneymakers, from "The Lion King" to "Zootopia." Disney 30. "Cars 2" (2011) Worldwide Gross: $562,110,557   The second film in the "Cars" franchise had a stellar opening weekend of $66 million in 2011, and went on to earn the stop as the 30th highest grossing animated movie of all time. Pixar Studios Animation With this 2001 monster movie Pixar kept the brand alive. Dreamworks Animation Studios 28. "The Croods" (2013) Worldwide Gross: $587,204,668 Nobody had a lot of expectations for the cave-man comedy in 2013, but when returns came back, Dreamworks started investing in a sequel.  Disney Animation Studios Before "Frozen," Disney made waves with this 2010 retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale.  Dreamworks Animation Studio 26. "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" (2008) Worldwide Gross: $603,900,354 This 2008 sequel scored big returns for the Dreamworks animal franchise. Dreamworks Animation Studio 25. "How to Train Your Dragon 2"  (2014) Worldwide Gross: $618,909,935 Dreamworks' 2014 sequel upped the ante with bigger dragons and longer flight sequences.  Pixar Animation Studios 24. "Ratatouille" (2007) Worldwide Gross: $620,702,951 Director Brad Bird mixed a love of gourmet French cuisine with talking rodents in the 2007 fancy feast.  Dreamworks Animation Studios 23. "Kung Fu Panda" (2008) Worldwide Gross: $631,744,560 The success of Jack Black 's 2008 martial arts-meet-spongy mammal movie set into motion its inevitable -- and even more profitable -- sequel.  Pixar Animation Studios 22. "The Incredibles" (2004) Worldwide Gross: $633,019,734 In 2004, Brad Bird 's first Pixar outing wowed audiences with complicated animated action scenes, cross-generational comedy and superhero mayhem. Disney Animation Studios 21. "Big Hero 6" (2014) Worldwide Gross: $657,818,612 Disney's 2014 robot tale combined anime aesthetics, superhero action and Pixar's heart.  Twentieth Century Fox 20. "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (2006) Worldwide Gross: $660,940,780 Fox's 2006 prehistoric romp proved the success of the first was no fluke.  Dreamworks Animation Studios 19. "Kung Fu Panda 2" (2011) Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281 With the franchise's skills proven, DreamWorks Animation gave the world another hit of comedy with this animated martial arts sequel in 2011.  Pixar Animation Studios The 2009 fan favorite demonstrated that original ideas with big emotions could make big money.  Pixar Animation Studios 17. "Monsters University" (2013) Worldwide Gross: $743,559,607 Ten years after the release of "Monsters Inc," Pixar sent fans back to school in a 2013 prequel. Dreamworks Animation Studios 16. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (2012) Worldwide Gross: $746,921,274 DreamWorks Animation's "Madagascar" series kept the studio afloat with a string of breezy successes, including 2012's third installment. Dreamworks Animation Studio 15. "Shrek Forever After" (2010) Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867 The big green ogre's final chapter dropped in 2010.     Dreamworks Animation Studio 14. "Shrek the Third" (2007) Worldwide Gross: $798,958,162 Made  in 2007, this sequel proved there was still some gas left in this fantasy mash-up comedy franchise.  Disney/Pixar 13. "Inside Out" (2015) Worldwide Gross: $857,611,174 Disney Pixar hit the home run again with this animated feature film about the emotions inside your head, starring Amy Poehler , Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader .  12. "The Secret Life of Pets" (2016) Worldwide Gross:$873,712,819  Universal/Illumination's story of dogs seeking out adventure while their owners are away charmed its way onto the list. Twentieth Century Fox Animation Worldwide Gross: $877,244,782 Profits abound for this 2012 fourth installment in the chilly prehistoric franchise, followed just behind it's predecessor. Twentieth Century Fox Animation 10."Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (2009) Worldwide Gross: $886,


In the year 1800, what was the Earth's largest undiscovered landmass?

The Last Unexplored Place on Earth | DiscoverMagazine.com The Last Unexplored Place on Earth The Last Unexplored Place on Earth Scientists race to discover the secret world buried miles beneath Antarctica. By Mariana Gosnell |Friday, September 28, 2007 RELATED TAGS: ARCTIC & ANTARCTIC , NEW SPECIES , BIODIVERSITY , EARTH SCIENCE , UNUSUAL ORGANISMS The landscape could be in upstate New York, western Maine, or any number of other scenic places: a few large lakes, many small ones, wide rivers and slow-flowing streams, water-filled hollows and soggy ground, all set in a stony land. But that’s where the resemblance to familiar landscapes ends. Here, no clouds float by, no rain falls, and no stars shine; there is no sunlight or moonshine, and no air at all. Instead, spread over this water-rich landscape, covering it almost completely and sealing it in, is 5 million square miles of glacial ice, roughly two miles thick and a million years old . Image courtesy of Zina Deretsky NSF This bizarre scene is found in Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth. If it were possible to lift up the giant ice sheets, that watery, stony terrain is what would remain. But of course it is not possible, so nobody knows what the buried landscape really looks like or how many living things may be down there. As of only a few decades ago, no one knew this world of buried lakes and rivers even existed. Now scientists are paying serious attention to it. Journalists have dubbed it “the last unexplored place on Earth” and “one of Earth’s last frontiers.” A veteran Russian glaciologist went so far as to call the discovery of one of Antarctica’s greatest subglacial lakes, Lake Vostok (now known to be the sixth-largest lake in the world, with a volume of about 1,300 cubic miles), “among the most important geographical discoveries of the second half of the 20th century.” One thing that is known for sure about Antarctica’s network of subglacial waterways is that they are not some insignificant sideshow to the grand drama of the continent’s ice sheets. In fact, learning about the lakes and rivers could shed light (albeit from a very dark place) on weighty matters ranging from ice-sheet stability—how much do the lakes enhance the flow of ice toward the sea?—and the history of glaciation in Antarctica—did some lakes form before the ice?—to the continent’s contribution to rising sea levels. According to a recent National Research Council report , the discovery of subglacial lakes “opened an entirely new area of science in a short period of time.” Taking advantage of that opening isn’t a whole lot easier than mounting an expedition with sled dogs and penguin stew. As the lakes are in remote, extremely cold locations and deeply buried, projects envisioned for studying them directly tend to be logistically challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. “It takes ages to get programs together,” says Mahlon Kennicutt II, an oceanographer at Texas A&M University and secretary of the Subglacial Antarctic Lake Environments group (SALE). There’s also a long period of environmental review required, largely because subglacial lakes have the potential to harbor life—and the life down there could very well be rare and exotic forms. Bacteria and other microbes that fell on the glacier surface would have spent a million years being carried downward as more snow fell above them before they eventually plopped into the lakes. There, in the near-freezing, totally dark, high-pressure, low-nutrient environment, some might have adapted in novel ways in order to survive. Studying these hardy microbes could provide scientists with clues to how life might exist on Mars or on Jupiter’s ice-covered moon Europa. As yet, no one has touched the waters of a subglacial lake with so much as a drill bit, but a Russian group that has been coring ice over Lake Vostok to get ancient climate records is coming close. The Russians desperately want to be the first to reach a subglacial lake and sample it. “It is important to our country,” says Valery Lukin, an oceanographer and director of the Russian Antar


"In the book ""Great Expectations"", what did Miss Havisham wear every day?"

SparkNotes: Great Expectations: Analysis of Major Characters Analysis of Major Characters Themes, Motifs & Symbols Pip As a bildungsroman, Great Expectations presents the growth and development of a single character, Philip Pirrip, better known to himself and to the world as Pip. As the focus of the bildungsroman, Pip is by far the most important character in Great Expectations: he is both the protagonist, whose actions make up the main plot of the novel, and the narrator, whose thoughts and attitudes shape the reader’s perception of the story. As a result, developing an understanding of Pip’s character is perhaps the most important step in understanding Great Expectations. Because Pip is narrating his story many years after the events of the novel take place, there are really two Pips in Great Expectations: Pip the narrator and Pip the character—the voice telling the story and the person acting it out. Dickens takes great care to distinguish the two Pips, imbuing the voice of Pip the narrator with perspective and maturity while also imparting how Pip the character feels about what is happening to him as it actually happens. This skillfully executed distinction is perhaps best observed early in the book, when Pip the character is a child; here, Pip the narrator gently pokes fun at his younger self, but also enables us to see and feel the story through his eyes. As a character, Pip’s two most important traits are his immature, romantic idealism and his innately good conscience. On the one hand, Pip has a deep desire to improve himself and attain any possible advancement, whether educational, moral, or social. His longing to marry Estella and join the upper classes stems from the same idealistic desire as his longing to learn to read and his fear of being punished for bad behavior: once he understands ideas like poverty, ignorance, and immorality, Pip does not want to be poor, ignorant, or immoral. Pip the narrator judges his own past actions extremely harshly, rarely giving himself credit for good deeds but angrily castigating himself for bad ones. As a character, however, Pip’s idealism often leads him to perceive the world rather narrowly, and his tendency to oversimplify situations based on superficial values leads him to behave badly toward the people who care about him. When Pip becomes a gentleman, for example, he immediately begins to act as he thinks a gentleman is supposed to act, which leads him to treat Joe and Biddy snobbishly and coldly. On the other hand, Pip is at heart a very generous and sympathetic young man, a fact that can be witnessed in his numerous acts of kindness throughout the book (helping Magwitch, secretly buying Herbert’s way into business, etc.) and his essential love for all those who love him. Pip’s main line of development in the novel may be seen as the process of learning to place his innate sense of kindness and conscience above his immature idealism. Not long after meeting Miss Havisham and Estella, Pip’s desire for advancement largely overshadows his basic goodness. After receiving his mysterious fortune, his idealistic wishes seem to have been justified, and he gives himself over to a gentlemanly life of idleness. But the discovery that the wretched Magwitch, not the wealthy Miss Havisham, is his secret benefactor shatters Pip’s oversimplified sense of his world’s hierarchy. The fact that he comes to admire Magwitch while losing Estella to the brutish nobleman Drummle ultimately forces him to realize that one’s social position is not the most important quality one possesses, and that his behavior as a gentleman has caused him to hurt the people who care about him most. Once he has learned these lessons, Pip matures into the man who narrates the novel, completing the bildungsroman. Estella Often cited as Dickens’s first convincing female character, Estella is a supremely ironic creation, one who darkly undermines the notion of romantic love and serves as a bitter criticism against the class system in which she is mired. Raised from the age of three by Miss Havisham to torment men and


What Paris cabaret was famous for the can-can dance, and was the subject of a 2001 movie starring Nicole Kidman?

Life is a Cabaret for Glasgow dancer starring in the Moulin Rouge (From Evening Times) Life is a Cabaret for Glasgow dancer starring in the Moulin Rouge Show caption LIFE really is a Cabaret for one Glasgow dancer who is starring at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Lucy Monaghan, 25, from Hyndland in the West End, joined the famous dance troupe three years ago. She performs two shows, six night a week, at the iconic red windmill-topped theatre in the city's Boulevard de Clichy. Nightly glamour and elaborate costumes have become a way of life for the former pupil of the Dance School of Scotland, based in Knightswood. But Lucy, who gained a place at the Central School of Ballet in London when she was just 16, told the Evening Times that behind the veil of feathers and Swarovski crystals are hours of rigorous training and tough rehearsals. "The standards are very high,"she said. "I am a classically trained dancer and this has stood me in good stead in terms of technique and discipline." Lucy, who has dreamed of performing on stage since she was just 10, travelled to Oslo in Norway to audition for a place in the cabaret with dancers from around the world. Moulin Rouge has hundreds of applicants every year. There is a strict height requirement of 5ft 9inches for girls and 6ft 1inches for boys. All dancers must have a strong technique, be flexible, have long legs and a pretty face.  Lucy said she was delighted to be told soon after her audition that she had made the cut. She said: "As a young girl growing up in Glasgow, I could only dream that I would be performing at the Moulin Rouge. "There are thousands of dancers all over the world who would love this opportunity." But all the dancers have to work hard for their place in the famous cabaret - best known as the spiritual birthplace of the Can-Can dance, which has been performed there every night since 1889. Lucy said: "The rehearsal process for the French Can-Can was incredibly demanding. It is great fun to dance and hugely entertaining to watch with massive jump-splits, cartwheels and flips. "We had two weeks of training when we first started and this involved doing the Can-Can for two hours a day. "Most of the kicking is done with the right leg - so I would be walking around with a really sore leg. "But it is worth it to get it perfect. "And the dance tutors are so dedicated. "You have a sense that the importance of the Moulin Rouge and the history really resonates with them and that is inspiring." The original Moulin Rouge theatre, which burned down in 1915, was co-founded in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia. The aim was to allow artists, the middle classes, businessmen and foreigners passing through Paris to rub shoulders and the cabaret quickly became popular. Mother of murdered teenager Paige Doherty shares graphic reminder of her injuries in bid to stop killer's court appeal In 2001 it was the subject of a Baz Lurman blockbuster starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. These days stepping into the lounge decorated with tables where visitors typically dine before watching the two hour show is like stepping back in time, Lucy explained. Many of the original features have been retained including fabrics and paintings. Back stage of the famous theatre is home to over 1000 individual costumes including more elaborate ones, decorated with lights and plumes of feathers made by Paris' Maison Février. Many hang from rails on the ceiling ready to be brought down for very quick costume changes between scenes. And all of the girl's shoes are handcrafted by shoemaker to the stars Maison Clairvoy. Lucy said: "The costumes are amazing. "Some are very heavy though, including the head dresses. "There is one with pink feathers which lights up. "When you see all the dancers on stage it looks incredible." The performers have a team of people who help them get ready and change outfits but they do their own make up after being given training on how to accentuate their features. Lucy said the dancers are like "one big family" but she has a special affinit


"What is a common word that means ""pedagogue""?"

Pedagogue | Define Pedagogue at Dictionary.com pedagogue [ped-uh-gog, -gawg] /ˈpɛd əˌgɒg, -ˌgɔg/ Spell a person who is pedantic, dogmatic, and formal. Origin of pedagogue 1350-1400; Middle English pedagoge < Latin paedagōgus < Greek paidagōgós a boy's tutor. See ped- 1, -agogue Related forms British Dictionary definitions for pedagogue Expand a pedantic or dogmatic teacher Derived Forms pedagogism, pedagoguism, noun Word Origin C14: from Latin paedagōgus, from Greek paidagōgos slave who looked after his master's son, from pais boy + agōgos leader Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for pedagogue Expand n. late 14c., "schoolmaster, teacher," from Old French pedagoge "teacher of children" (14c.), from Latin paedagogus, from Greek paidagogos "slave who escorts boys to school and generally supervises them," later "a teacher," from pais (genitive paidos) "child" (see pedo- ) + agogos "leader," from agein "to lead" (see act (n.)). Hostile implications in the word are at least from the time of Pepys (1650s). Related: Pedagogal. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper


What was the name of the comic strip that featured Charlie Brown and Snoopy?

Peanuts | comic strip by Schulz | Britannica.com comic strip by Schulz Alternative Title: “Li’l Folks” Related Topics Peanuts, long-running comic strip drawn and authored by Charles Schulz . Cartoonist Charles Schulz at work. Ted Streshinsky/Corbis First published in 1947 under the name Li’l Folks, the strip, renamed Peanuts in 1950, featured a cast of children led by Charlie Brown , Schulz’s alter ego in the strip. On the surface, Peanuts did not differ radically from other newspaper comics of its era: the four-panel daily strips featured a simple, almost spare, artistic style and routinely concluded with a joke of some kind, often at Charlie Brown’s expense. The strength of Peanuts lay in the depth of its characters and in Schulz’s ability to connect with his readers through them. The introspective everyman Charlie Brown stoically dealt with life’s misfortunes—from a kite-eating tree to a football that was always pulled away a moment before he attempted to kick it—with a sigh, a “Good grief!” or, most emphatically, with a “Drat!” Lucy van Pelt , his frequent tormentor and the big sister to his blanket-toting friend Linus , offered psychiatric advice and presented a steely exterior, but she could not resist observing that “happiness is a warm puppy.” Snoopy , Charlie Brown’s beagle , made pithy observations and spent his time engaging in imagined aerial battles with a German World War I flying ace, the Red Baron , and fantasizing himself as jazz saxophonist Joe Cool . The strip’s other characters included Schroeder, the Beethoven-obsessed object of Lucy’s desire; Peppermint Patty, a freckled and frequently bewildered tomboy who referred to Charlie Brown as “Chuck”; Marcie, Peppermint Patty’s wisecracking sidekick; and Woodstock , a yellow bird who, in spite of his inexpert flying skills, accompanied Snoopy on his many adventures. At the time of Schulz’s death in 2000, mere hours before his final Sunday strip was published, Peanuts was running in more than 2,500 newspapers in 75 countries, with a readership that topped 350 million. In the early 21st century, sales of Peanuts merchandise amounted to a billion-dollar-a-year empire, with products ranging from stuffed animals to clothing to a popular line of greeting cards. Snoopy was perhaps the most visible Peanuts character, appearing as the corporate mascot for American insurance company MetLife and making an appearances as a massive balloon in New York City’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade, and his rivalry with the Red Baron was the subject of a pair of popular novelty songs by the Royal Guardsmen in the mid-1960s. The Peanuts characters appeared in numerous television specials, including A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966), as well as in a short-lived television series, The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show (1983–85). They were the subject of the stage musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1967; television adaptations 1973 and 1985) and The Peanuts Movie (2015), a 3-D computer-generated adventure. Over the comic strip’s 50-year run, Schulz refused to allow anyone else to draw or write Peanuts, and the collected body of work, amounting to more than 18,000 strips, was thought to be the longest story ever told by a single person.


If one kisses the Blarney Stone, what gift will they supposedly receive?

Blarney, Ireland Wishes You Were Here Blarney, Ireland Wishes You Were Here March 12, 2011 By Suzy Guese 12 Comments I was somewhat apprehensive to head to the Blarney Castle in Blarney, just north of Cork. In case you have been living under a rock, or stone rather, Blarney is known for its castle and probably the most loved piece of stone in the world for all of the kisses it receives, the Blarney Stone. On top of the 15th century Blarney Castle, you will find that famous stone. If you kiss it, you supposedly will receive the gift of gab, the present of eloquent nonsense. Elizabeth I, out of frustration and annoyance, supposedly coined the term blarney over Lord Blarney’s ability to chatter endlessly without ever coming to an agreement with her. Reading accounts of the tourist mob at Blarney Castle and hearing B&B owners tell me it was the “leprechaun” thing to do in Ireland, I didn’t exactly have a positive image in mind of the Blarney Castle and its stone. Not to mention, the act of kissing a stone so many get their lips on isn’t the most sanitary of things to do while traveling. I arrived at 10AM to a light drizzle over the Blarney Castle and its grounds. With not a soul around, I wandered through the gardens and footpaths that lead up to the ruined castle. A river passes through, littered and glowing with coins of those looking for luck. I stand gazing up at the castle, a little unsure of what I have gotten myself into after hearing such negative remarks about the castle being a mere tourist attraction. The stairs wind up, weaving through bedrooms and kitchens, or at least what is left of them. I pause to read who has come here to receive the gift of eloquence, Winston Churchill among them. One of the greatest orators of all time believed in such a silly ritual. I am beginning to appreciate the Blarney Castle for that reason. It is ridiculous, yet believed to be not by so many. I reach the top and two crusty old men sit gabbing, making jokes about ex-wives I overhear. Not being a person to trust easily, I put my trust in this old man as I dangle high above the castle, until I am lowered down to a greenish stone. “Kiss it!” he exclaims. Thinking, “and thus with a kiss, I die”, I make my move on the Blarney Stone and before I can even see if my affection is reciprocated, the old man has hoisted me back up out of danger’s way. And as I leave, it all seems like a blur. The idea is so unromantic, one similar to a dating show of kissing everyone and the producer until picking “the one”. The Blarney Stone however never chooses, an unquestionable romantic idea surrounded by the romance of a 15th century castle and glowing green grounds. It may be the tourist thing to do, but if you get to Blarney Castle in the early morning, you will have the castle and a moment with the stone all to yourself, and two jokey old men who have probably gabbed about it all. And therein lies the point of kissing the Blarney Stone. I’m glad I had my big smooch.


"What island chain at the tip of South America can be translated as ""Land of Fire""?"

Legends of Tierra del Fuego: Interesting Thing of the Day Legends of Tierra del Fuego The incredible shrinking southern continent As an American, I’ve always been accustomed to very clearly defined state, national, and continental boundaries. The border between Canada and the U.S., for example, may be an arbitrary line of latitude, but we all know exactly where it is—what’s in, and what’s out. We know exactly where North America stops and Central America starts; we also know when we’ve reached the easternmost or westernmost edge of the continent because we run into an ocean. Sure, there’s the odd island off the coast here or there, but conceptually, these cause no problems for my notion of what a continent is. The map of South America, though, has always offended my sense of geographical tidiness. At the southern end of the continent, the land sort of swoops out to the east—but wait, that last big chunk is actually an island. Is that part of the continent? And what about the bazillions of smaller islands littering the coastline to the south and west? If I’m on one of those islands, am I on the continent or not? The geological answer is yes—I’m on the same continental plate. The political answer is also yes—any given spot of any given island is uncontroversially under the control of either Chile or Argentina. But to the average person on the street (or boat, as the case may be), these boundaries are neither visible nor intuitive. Today, we can get the answers to such questions from highly accurate maps. Hundreds of years ago, though, the answers were far less obvious. Speculation about continental boundaries led to some fanciful maps, tall tales, and grand adventures. What Goes Around I was standing in a museum in a town on Tierra del Fuego—a name given to the entire archipelago of little islands at the tip of South America as well as to its largest island, which is known more properly as Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. On the wall was a map from the 16th century showing the landmass we know today as South America extending all the way south to connect with a vast southern continent much larger than Antarctica. In other words: an unbroken stretch of land all the way from pole to pole. This hypothetical continent, which also encompassed Australia, had a detailed imaginary coastline that was represented as being accurate, even though no cartographer had come anywhere near it. Europeans at the time referred to this continent as Terra Incognita (the Unknown Land)—or Terra Australis (the Southern Land). In the 4th century B.C., Aristotle had advanced the idea that a great southern continent must exist, because without it the world would be top-heavy. This view was later expanded on and popularized by Greek geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century A.D. But as of the early 16th century, no European had actually seen this land. In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan became the first European explorer to discover a sea route from the Atlantic ocean to the waters west of South America, to which he gave the unfortunate name “Pacific ocean.” But as he was passing through what came to be called the Strait of Magellan, with South America clearly on his right, Magellan could also see land to his left. When he realized the channel went all the way through, he drew what was for him the logical conclusion: that land he’d seen to the south must be the tip of the great southern continent. He gave it the name Tierra del Fuego (“land of fire”) upon seeing the smoke rising from numerous fires built by the land’s inhabitants. This name, of course, suited the continent’s popular image as a mysterious and forbidding place. And Magellan’s discovery—apparently the first proof of the existence of Terra Australis—required only minor modifications to the maps of the time. Down and Out It was not until 1578 that Francis Drake, in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe, discovered the truth about Tierra del Fuego. Drake sailed through the Strait of Magellan, but his ship was blown south by a storm; he soon found himself rounding the tip of a large island chain. Now t


Which country contains the cities of Cairo, Oxford, Berlin, and Athens?

Athens Map | Map of Athens City, Greece - Αθήνα Χάρτης Disclaimer Close Disclaimer : All efforts have been made to make this image accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited,its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same. About city :  Athens is the capital of Greece and the largest city in the country. The name of the city is linked to the goddess Athena. According to legends, Athena and Poseidon competed to become the patron of the city and give it their names. Poseidon gifted them naval power while Athena gave them the olive trees. The olives were accepted and the city was named after the goddess. Athens is one of the oldest cities of the world with a history covering 3400 years. Today, the city of Athens covers an area of 412 sq. km and has a urban population of around 3 million. Classical ruins, neoclassical homes, large city squares and parks as well as post modern buildings have made the city a pleasure for the tourists. Geography :  Athens is located in the central plains of Attica which is surrounded by four mountains named Mount Aegaelo, Parnitha, Penteli and Hymettus. A number of hills dot the cityscape with Lycabettus being the highest point. Rivers Kifissos and Illissus flow next to Athens which is located near the Saronic Gulf. The city has subtropical Mediterranean type of climate. Summers are hot and dry while winters are cool and rainy. Some snowfall occurs on the northern fringe. Increasing pollution has led to the urban heat island effect in Athens. How to reach (transport) :  You can reach the city of Athens by the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport which is one of the most efficient airports of Europe. Regional coaches connect Athens with other cities of Greece. Trainose is the national rail service that connects Athens with other Grecian cities, though the rail service is not at par with other European cities. You can also enter the city on cruise ships via the port of Piraeus. Within the city, you can use the Athens metro, suburban railway, tram, bus, taxi or bicycle to explore the city. A number of car free archeological walks have also been marked out for the tourists. When to visit :  The best time to visit the city of Athens is late spring and early summer. Months of May to July are good choices. On the other hand, winters are rainy and low time for Athens. Summers are too hot and there may be dust storms. Culture (Fairs and Festivals) and Traditions :  Known as the cradle of Greek and therefore the entire West European civilization, the culture ofAthensis rich and diverse. The numerous ruins have made this a world center for archeological research. The people are warm and friendly and road signs are often in English which is a great help to tourists. Several festivals are held at different times of the year inAthens. Some of them are as follows: The Candlemas (Ypapanti festival )is celebrated in the beginning of February. Local markets are held and this is the best time to sample typical Greek cuisine. The Kite festival is celebrated in March when kites are flown in the beaches and the hills. Traditional foods like octopi, shrimps and olives are prepared on this day. The Feast of Flowers is celebrated with picnics in the countryside on 1st May. The European Music day is a three day festival that takes place around 21st June. Perhaps the most important cultural festival in the city is the Athens Epidaurus festival which is celebrated from June to August. A number of programs including classic theatres, drama, music, lectures and contemporary dance events are held in different locations throughout the city. Apart from this, several other festivals like the Aeschylia festival, European jazz festival, Book festival, Apokries etc are celebrated at different times in Athens. Points of interest :  Classical ruins are scattered throughout the city ofAthens. Some of the most important points of interest are: The Acropolis is the central landmark of the city. It is the ancient fortified town and is now a UNESCO Heritage site. The


If I drive from Toulouse to Zaragoza, what mountain range will I likely cross?

France travel guide - Wikitravel Map of Metropolitan France, Overseas Departments and Overseas Territories. France is the country that more people enjoy visiting than any other. France is one of the most geographically diverse countries in Europe. Its cities contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris , the French Riviera , the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps , the castles of the Loire Valley , Brittany and Normandy . France is renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion. Understand[ edit ] "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye." — Antoine de Saint Exupéry, from The Little Prince France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for over twenty years (83 million visits in 2012). Metropolitan France is in Western Europe sharing borders with Belgium , Luxembourg and Germany to the northeast, Switzerland to the east, Italy to the south-east. Spain and the small country of Andorra are to the south-west, across the Pyrenees mountain range. The Mediterranean Sea laps the south of France, with the Principality of Monaco forming a small enclave. To the west, France has a long Atlantic Ocean coastline, while to the north lies the English Channel, across which lies the last of France's neighbours, England (part of the United Kingdom ). In the Caribbean, France borders the Netherlands via the French territory of Saint-Martin which borders the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten . Five oversea regions also form part of France: Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean , French Guiana in South America , and Reunion and Mayotte , both off the coast of Madagascar . Numerous French oversea territories also exist around the Earth with varying status. Climate[ edit ] A lot of variety, but temperate winters and mild summers on most of the territory, and especially in Paris . Mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean and in the southwest (the latter has lots of rain in winter). You may likely even see a few palm trees on the Mediterranean coast. Mild winters (with lots of rain) and cool summers in the northwest ( Brittany ). Cool to cold winters and hot summer along the German border ( Alsace ). Along the Rhône Valley, there is an occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral. Cold winters with lots of the snow in the Mountainous regions: Alps, Pyrenees, Auvergne. Terrain[ edit ] Mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south west, Vosges , Jura and Alps in east, Massif Central in the mid south. When to travel[ edit ] If possible, try to avoid French school holidays and Easter, because hotels are very likely to be overbooked and traffic on the roads is simply awful. Holidays: search internet for "French school holidays", as they vary from region to region. Mostly, the winter holidays are 10 Feb-10 Mar. The spring holidays are often 10 Apr-10 May. Also try to avoid travel around the 14th of July. (quatorze juillet) These times the roads are full of people, leading to the much dreaded Black Friday traffic jams which can grow in length to over 160km (100 miles)! Winter gets very cold, sometimes freezing. Make sure to bring appropriate clothing to keep you warm while visiting. Hotels are very likely to be overbooked and road traffic will be awful during the 1 May, 8 May, 11 Nov, Easter Weekend, Ascension weekend too. History[ edit ] France has been populated since the Neolithic period. The Dordogne region is especially rich in prehistoric caves, some used as habitation, others are temples with remarkable paintings of animals and hunters, like those found at Lascaux . Rise and fall of the Roman empire[ edit ] Written History began in France with the invasion of the territory by the Romans, between 118 and 50 BC. Starting then, the territory which is today called France was part of


What Greek god was the equivalent of the Roman god Neptune?

Poseidon (Neptune) - Greek God of the Sea. | Greek Mythology Pantheon Greek Mythology Pantheon Greek Mythology Pantheon > Poseidon (Neptune) – Greek God of the Sea Poseidon (Neptune) – Greek God of the Sea Poseidon (Neptune) Greek God - Art Picture by GenzoMan Poseidon (Neptune) Greek God - Art Picture by GenzoMan Poseidon (Roman equivalent is Neptune) is one of the twelve Olympian deities of the pantheon in Greek mythology, brother of Zeus and Hades (Pluto). His main domain is the ocean, and he is called the "God of the Sea". Additionally, he is referred to as "Earth-Shaker" due to his role in causing earthquakes, and has been called the "tamer of horses". He is usually depicted as an older male with curly hair and beard. Poseidon, like his brothers and sisters, lived the first years of his life in the dark belly of his father Cronus. By the time their brother, Zeus, with the magical potion of Metis, managed to get them out of the peculiar prison. There are also other myths about the birth of Poseidon. Thus, the ancient poets tell that Rhea in the case of Poseidon managed to fool her husband. Rather than giving him to swallow the divine infant, she gave him, wrapped in swaddling clothes, a newborn horse. Then, in order to conceal the baby's crying from Cronus, Rhea put it to grow among a flock of sheep. The nymph Arne took over the growing up of Poseidon. Someday Cronus went through there, because he thought he heard the crying of a baby, and asked Arne if there was a baby nearby. She replied to him with cleverness, that how a baby could be born by sheep or by her that was single. Cronus was fooled and ashamed by her answer and left. Poseidon (Neptune) Greek God fighting a sea monster - Art Picture Poseidon (Neptune) Greek God fighting a sea monster - Art Picture She therefore called Telchines, deities similar to the Curetes of Crete, who protected Zeus. Each time the newborn was crying, savages Telchines start dancing, screaming and hitting their spears on earth. Within such a big panic and in such a fuss Cronus could not hear anything. However, what made the early years of his life was to help his brothers in order to outplay their father and the other Titans and take power into their hands. After that, the three sons of Cronus decided to divide the world. Poseidon (Neptune) Greek God - Art Picture by Gokberk Kaya Poseidon (Neptune) Greek God - Art Picture by Gokberk Kaya At the suggestion of Zeus, they divided the world in three domains, the sky, the sea and the underworld. Olympus and Earth remained commonplace for visiting them whenever they wanted. Because all three wanted the sky and none naturally wanted to reign for all his life in the underworld, they did draw. Zeus pulled first and chose the kingdom of heaven. Poseidon pulled second and chose the sea. Hades (Roman equivalent is Hades) responded with anger, but quickly accepted his fate and withdrew to his dark kingdom. Poseidon could not easily accept the victory of Zeus. Ηe admitted the outcome with cold heart, but since then, there were many times that he argued with his brother, till he recognized his eternal supremacy and omnipotence. So when Zeus once asked some errand and the marine god refused to perform it, he sent Iris to the ocean palace. Before Iris left, he told her the following words: Poseidon (Neptune) Greek God - Art Picture by God of War III ConceptArt Poseidon (Neptune) Greek God - Art Picture by God of War III ConceptArt “Tell the King Poseidon that his almighty brother orders him to immediately come to Olympus because I have a job to assign to him. Otherwise, my terrible wrath will fall upon him and he will be dissolved.” Once Poseidon got the message, he got angry and climbed to Olympus. He then tried to convince the other gods that he is equal to Zeus, the father of gods and men. Poseidon said: “Almighty Olympians, this situation must be clarified once and for all. Our mother Rhea and Cronus had three sons, Zeus, Hades and me. We distributed our domains and one took the sky, the second took the darkness, and I took the foaming sea. Howev


What green stone was prized in ancient China, and used to make burial suits for royalty?

History of Jade in China - Chinese History - Chinese Archeology - China culture History of Jade in China 1 Hui Merchants Huizhou's geographic location was significant to the economy of southeastern China as a... Jade is a stone ingrained in Chinese art, culture and history, stretching 9,000 years back into the ancient and enormous Chinese empire. Jade has always been a special stone, used not just for fine objects but also as material for grave goods for the imperial family. It is believed to be a link between both the physical and the spiritual worlds, and is the only material that completely encapsulates both the yin and yang qualities of Heaven and Earth, earning it the moniker The Stone of Heaven. History of Jade Jade mines in China have long been depleted, but the association and love for this stone endures with the Chinese. Jade is also found in Burma, Central America, Brazil, Canada and India. Although prized by other civilisations as well as the Chinese, no other culture can rival China for the richness and intricacy of the jade rings, bracelets, beads and pendants found there. The Chinese have been working jade since the Neolithic period, to the present. Discs and tubes made of jade found in Neolithic Chinese graves are the earliest indication of this stone's association with the otherworldly. By 200 B.C., when the Book of Songs was written during the Zhou dynasty, the stone was established as an aid to immortality. It would continue to be used in burial rituals well into the Han Dynasty. During the Shang Dynasty (1600 B.C. to 1050 B.C), jade was used for personal adornment by kings, as well as for utilitarian and ceremonial objects. Jade knives, daggers and objects imbued with royal meanings like sceptres and jade burial suits have been found in tombs most likely used for ritual or military ceremonies. A record from a 200 A.D Chinese dictionary defines jade as the fairest of stones, endowed with five virtues charity, rectitude, wisdom, courage and equity. Towards the end of the Tang Dynasty however, funerary practises changed and by the time the modern Ming and Qing dynasties rolled around in the 16th century, the stone had become more referential and was primarily used as material for objets d'art of the imperial court. The Qualities of Jade This milky green stone is seen as a metaphor for human virtues because of its hardness, durability and beauty. Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, famously said the good virtue of man is like jade. It represents dignity, blessing, fortune and longevity. White jade is the most highly valued, but the stone comes in a variety of translucent shades of green, brown and black. In China the term jade is actually used to encompass several different minerals which include serpentine and aventurine which are not true types of jade. There are only two distinct stones that are true jades nephrite and jadeite. Both these tones share many qualities, but jadeite has a greater range of colours. The hardness and brittleness of jade requires great skill to craft, but great intricacy can be accomplished with this stone. Coupled with its high lustre and translucency, jade is a gemstone that is much sought after. A Chinese proverb attributes greater attachment to jade than to gold, as gold has value, but jade is invaluable. Jade and Superstition This imperial gem of both Heaven and Earth has always been empowered with magical properties, at least in the minds of the Chinese. Taoist alchemist believed it to be the Philosopher's Stone, and drank elixirs of powdered jade. Jade was also considered a guardian against illness and evil spirits, which is why even babies in China are given a tiny jade bangle to wear to ward off bad luck. In the Han dynasty, emperors were buried in jade gowns and jade cicadas were placed on dead kings' tongues to prevent decomposition and safeguard chi or energy. Culturally, jade stands for beauty, grace and purity. It is often referred to as a live stone due to its propensity to change colour. Many Chinese believe that if the stone likes the wearer, it will grow a deep


What iconic album cover featured the four band members walking across a street in single file?

The Many Views of Abbey Road | Mental Floss The Many Views of Abbey Road Image credit:  Like us on Facebook The Iain MacMillan photograph gracing the 1969 Beatles album Abbey Road made it one of the most famous album covers ever. It's such an iconic image that whenever you see a group walking single file on a zebra crossing, you automatically think of Abbey Road. It's been imitated, honored, lampooned, and recreated by countless artists. We'll take a look at just a few of their creations, but first, the original. The Simpsons The Simpsons TV show contains frequent Beatles references . This is one of three Simpsons covers that Rolling Stone used for its November 2002 issue. The Zimmers The Zimmers recorded their 2007 album at Abbey Road studios, and took the opportunity to pose for a classic picture . Lots more Abbey Road recreations after the jump. The Yale Record The Yale Record rock and roll issue (winter 2007) combined the classic image of evolution with the Abbey Road picture. T-Shirt In another clever combination of cultural idioms, this Threadless T-Shirt asks the question, "Why did the chicken cross Abbey Road?" Freeda Freeda , the Free Range Canberra chook mascot takes the "chicken crossing the road" symbolism to heart in recreating the image. Tribute Band Abbey Road LIVE! is a Beatles tribute group from Athens, Georgia. They play music from the Beatles later albums, including Abbey Road. Here they are in a publicity shot. Pocoyo This image was created by Pedro Bascon , a designer for Pocoyo , a preschool television show from Spain. The characters from the show do the Beatles' walk. Lego Lego artist Dunechaser committed the image to brick form. See more of his work at The Brothers Brick . Tabby Road Even LOLcats get into the act! This photo was featured at I Can Has Cheezburger . Sumo Wrestlers A Reuters photographer caught a group of Sumo wrestlers in New York during the World Sumo Challenge in 2005. Paul McCartney You'll find Abbey Road reincarnations on other album covers more than anywhere else. Paul McCartney released an album in 1993 entitled Paul is Live , using the background of the original Abbey Road photo for its cover art. A contemporary picture of McCartney was edited in. Kanye West The cover of Late Orchestration by Kanye West (recorded at Abbey Road studios) is also a tribute to the Abbey Road cover. The Red Hot Chili Peppers released The Abbey Road EP in 1988. It contained five songs that were all eventually available on other albums. The cover of the EP featured the four band members walking single file on a zebra crossing, naked except for socks over their penises. See it here . Other Album Covers Many musicians have used the same imagery as cover art. See a large collection of them at Am I Right . mental_floss But the best one of all is the cover of mental_floss issue #2! Mangesh says: That was our second issue from all the way back in Oct. 2001, and it shows how little we knew about putting together a magazine. People take their own Abbey Road pictures every time they see a chance, in London or anywhere they can cross the street. Abbey Road Studios even has a live webcam trained on the zebra crossing. Check in during English daytime to catch tourists setting up their own photo shoots! It is a busy street, as you can see in this video . Still, I can't imagine passing up the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of The Beatles. More from mental_floss...


What province nearly voted to declare independence from Canada in 1995?

History: October 30, 1995: Quebec Votes to Remain Canadian Province (Barely) - History and Headlines History: October 30, 1995: Quebec Votes to Remain Canadian Province (Barely) No Comments A Brief History On October 30, 1995, the people of the Canadian province of Quebec voted by the narrow margin of 50.58% to 49.42% to remain a Canadian province.  Quebec, the largest province of Canada by size, was the heart of New France until the British won the Seven Years War in 1763, and with it sovereignty over Quebec. Digging Deeper The Quebecois as the people call themselves maintain their French heritage, and the French language is spoken by the majority of people in the province.  A reminder of this French heritage can be found on their automobile license plates, which read “Je me souviens,” which means roughly “I remember,”  often taken to mean the Quebecois remember their French heritage. This vote was the second time the people of Quebec held a referendum on whether or not to maintain the status quo, as in 1980 the measure to declare independence from Canada was defeated in a major way.  Still, the political movement toward a French identity prompted Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to preside over a re-imagining of the Canadian constitution called The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  This action was approved by the British Parliament as well as that of Canada, and was signed by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982.  Among other things, The Charter dictated that French and English have equal status as languages in Canada and New Brunswick, with neither language having precedence.  People of any linguistic group would have equal rights, but no provision was made specifically for Native Canadian (Indians and Eskimos) language speakers.  French and English speaking people were both given the right to be educated in their own language. Despite this national recognition of the equality of French Canada, the urge for Quebec to secede or one way or another change status continued.  Not surprisingly, the Native Canadian peoples of Quebec demand the right to decide for themselves if they wish to remain part of Canada, and refuse to be forced into being part of a sovereign Quebec governed by French Canadians.  The 1995 referendum saw a commendable 93.5% of eligible voters cast their votes. The idea of a re-imagining of the status of Quebec has not gone away.  A considerable number of Quebecois (another term for people of Quebec) long for either full independence from English Canada or at least greater independence.  Some long for reunion with France. Quebec is a wonderful place, as is the rest of Canada.  My family and I have been there many times and find the people and the country of Canada to be wonderful hosts to our visits.  Even when visiting parts of Quebec where English is not spoken the people have been as nice and as accommodating as can be. Have you been to Canada?  Have you been to Quebec?  Tell us if your experiences match ours. If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by entering your email address at the top right of this page or like us on Facebook . Your readership is much appreciated! Historical Evidence


"What ""hunchbacked"" English king's remains were discovered in 2012?"

Richard III, Hunchback king of England, infected with worms |    cleveland.com Richard III, Hunchback king of England, infected with worms King Richards Worms This undated photo provided by the University of Leicester shows the remains of England's King Richard III which were found in a dig in Leicester, England in September 2012. Not only was Richard III one of England's most reviled monarchs, but it now turns out the hunchback king was probably infected with parasitic worms that grew up to a foot in length. Researchers who dug up Richard III's skeleton underneath a parking lot report they have found roundworm eggs in the soil around his pelvis, where his intestines would have been. They compared that to soil samples taken close to Richard's skull and surrounding his grave, where there weren't any eggs. In a study published online Wednesday Sept. 4, 2013 in the journal Lancet, experts say it's unlikely the worms did any serious damage to the king. (AP Photo/University of Leicester) (Associated Press)


What elite scholarship is given to foreign students for post-graduate study at Oxford?

UK Scholarships for International Students | 2017-2018 Scholarships Chevening Scholarships Chevening Scholarships, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, are awarded to outstanding scholars from Chevening-eligible countries around the world. Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree. Most Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees, a living allowance at a set rate (for one individual), an economy class return airfare to the UK, and additional grants to cover essential expenditure. Commonwealth Scholarships The Commonwealth Scholarships are intended for students from developing Commonwealth countries who wants to pursue Master’s and PhD study in the UK. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID).  Each Scholarship provides airfare to and from United Kingdom, tuition and examination fees, personal maintaining allowance, thesis grant (if applicable), initial arrival allowance, among others. Gates Cambridge Scholarships Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from any country outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also provides additional, discretionary funding. Rhodes Scholarships at University of Oxford Established in the will of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international scholarship program in the world.   The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards that supports exceptional international students from selected countries at the University of Oxford.   A Rhodes Scholarship covers all university fees, personal stipend, health insurance, and airfare to and from the student’s home country. Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships The University of Edinburgh will offer 30 scholarships to outstanding overseas students who intends to pursue a PhD Research Programme in any field of study offered by the University. Each scholarship covers the difference between the tuition fee for a UK / EU graduate student and that chargeable to an overseas graduate student. The awards do not cover maintenance expenses. Denys Holland Scholarship at University College London   The Denys Holland Scholarship aims to support undergraduate students from any country, who without the support of  the scholarship would be unable to secure the funding required to study at University College London (UCL), and who can demonstrate their intention to make full use of the activities offered by UCL and the Student Union.  The scholarship is worth £9,000 per annum and scholars may choose to use all or part of the scholarship to cover fees. University of Sussex Chancellor’s International Scholarships   University of Sussex Chancellor’s International Scholarships are available in the majority of Sussex Schools, and are awarded on the basis of academic performance and potential to non-EU international students who have applied for and been offered a place for eligible full-time Postgraduate Taught degrees at the University of Sussex.  The scholarship is 50% off international student tuition fee and is offered for one year. University of West London International Ambassador Scholarships The International Ambassador Scholarship recognizes and provides financial support for outstanding students who wish to pursue a full time undergraduate or postgraduate degree at University of West London. The scholars will act as international ambassadors for the University of West London.  Up to 50 scholarships worth up to £5,000 are available. University of West England Chancellor’s Scholarships The University of the West of England, Bristol offers more than £100,000 worth of scholarships for international students each year.  This includes the Chancellor’s Scholarship wherein the recipient will be required to undertake an internship working within the International Development Office and other departments. The scholarship covers the full tuition fees for one academic year. Sheffield Hal


What body part was Achilles's only vulnerability?

Achilles' Heel - TV Tropes Achilles' Heel You need to login to do this. Get Known if you don't have an account Share Illustration of common Achilles heels. By Olly Moss ◊ — Bill Cipher, Gravity Falls Any seemingly Nigh Invulnerable character (or Kung-Fu Proof Mook ) will inevitably have some key weakness that can and will be exploited. This is especially likely if the main character is a Super Hero ; otherwise they could walk over criminals and other villains and flatten any chance of conflict or personal peril. Aliens and monsters that are Immune to Bullets will usually have a fairly mundane Achilles Heel that only surfaces/is discovered when things look the bleakest. Other versions and variations of the Achilles Heel include: Attack Its Weak Point : Like Achilles himself, a specific body part is particularly vulnerable to direct damage. David vs. Goliath : Not taking a seemingly trivial threat seriously. Decapitation Required : The only way to kill them permanently is by removing the head. Drama-Preserving Handicap : A method to give some sort of weakness to a character who normally doesn't have one. Fantastic Fragility : An in-built weakness to boost power. Fatal Flaw : A psychological weakness, not a physical vulnerability. Keystone Army : Army whose weakness renders it defeated. Kryptonite Factor : A superhero weakness to something that has little or no effect on other characters. Logical Weakness : The weakness is a logical consequence of whatever makes the character powerful. Straight for the Commander : Enemy's commander is the weakness, and thus exploiting it.note It's not that easy: the commander is usually stronger than a Mook Soul Jar : An object that provides great power or immortality to its creator, but the person's essence becomes tied to it so strongly that its destruction will doom them. Supernatural Repellent : Weaknesses that ward off supernatural creatures. Tailor-Made Prison : A prison designed to contain a specific character, often accounting for their weakness. Weaksauce Weakness : Weakness to something common and mundane. Verbal Weakness : A usually harmless word or phrase that just so happens to hurt a particular character.     open/close all folders      Anime & Manga  Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion reveals a key weakness in Homura's Time Control magic: there's a delay from its activation to when time actually stops. Sayaka hears the gears starting to whir and is fast enough to jam the mechanism with her sword. Also, if you're in contact with her, as Mami was via ribbon during their fight, you're unaffected. Played with for the homunculi in Fullmetal Alchemist . Their immortality is fueled by the Philosopher's Stones in their bodies; Mustang tore Lust's out of her body attempting a one-shot kill, only for her to form a new body from the Stone. Turns out their only weakness is being killed a few dozen times (or the destruction of the Stone itself), with the exact number of "kills" required being dependent on the number of human souls remaining in the Stone. Pride has one in the form of pure darkness: since he uses shadow-manipulation powers, he's powerless in total darkness because you need light to cast a shadow. Alphonse is bound to his armor by his blood seal, and should that be destroyed, he's a goner. Wrath's Ultimate Eye turns him into the equivalent of a Perfect-Play A.I. : he can predict his opponents' moves with perfect accuracy and therefore wins almost every fight he's in effortlessly. Even an Ultimate Eye cannot dodge something it cannot see coming. Played straight for the homunculi in the first anime , where they are immortal, but can be killed if one gets anywhere near the remains of the human body they were created from. Wrath averts this because his remains were used as the raw materials in the attempt to resurrect him. The Zentraedi and Protodeviln of Macross are both weakened by music - the Zentraedi because they haven't been exposed to "culture" for so long, and the Protodeviln because Basara possesses the Anima Spiritua. Bleach Zanpaku-tou all have some kind o


"Whose effigy is burned on ""Bonfire Night"" in the UK?"

Which celebrity would you like to burn an effigy of this Bonfire Night? - Telegraph Which celebrity would you like to burn an effigy of this Bonfire Night? The Edenbridge Bonfire in Kent features a celebrity effigy every year - and  are announcing this year's tomorrow It was quite a 'burn' for Wayne Rooney Photo: REX Shutterstock If you fancy a political twist to your Bonfire Night , you could do worse than visiting The Edenbridge Bonfire in Kent, which features a controversial celebrity effigy every year. The effigy is then burned in front of a cheering crowd. The Bonfire Society has allowed fans to vote in an online poll for which celebrity should be ritually burnt to ashes this year. Who should it be this year?????Visit our web site and vote in our new on line poll!!www.edenbridgebonfire.co.uk Posted by Edenbridge Bonfire Society on  Wednesday, 21 October 2015 Edenbridge is well known for its comic take on the Guys. It uses the traditional Guy Fawkes plus a ‘celebrity’ companion. In the past, we’ve seen Lance Armstrong, Katie Hopkins, Cherie Blair, Wayne Rooney, Jonathan Ross, Russell Brand, Katie Price, Alex Salmond and many more burned. They turned Katie Hopkins into a witch with a foot in her mouth  Photo: REX Shutterstock This year, the Guys will be larger than ever thanks to some brand new skeleton frames. Just a few photos of Edenbridge Bonfire Society visit Rotherfield Bonfire Celebrations last night ...taken by Sussex Posted by Edenbridge Bonfire Society on  Sunday, 4 October 2015 Bookmaker William Hill has given odds on which celebrity it is most likely to be: 3/1 Sepp Blatter; 5/1 Vladimir Putin; 8/1 Stuart Lancaster; 9/1 Nicola Sturgeon; 10/1 Jeremy Corbyn; 10/1 Kim Jong Un; 12/1 David Cameron; 12/1 Donald Trump; 16/1 Zayn Malik; 20/1 Jeremy Clarkson; 20/1 Nigel Farage; 20/1 Craig Joubert; 25/1 Justin Bieber; 33/1 Josie Cunningham; 33/1 Julian Assange; 33/1 EL James. This is a very unflattering effigy of Cherie Blair  Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA The Edenbridge Bonfire Society wrote on their website: "As the 2015 famous Edenbridge bonfire year got under way...as every year, many locals and those further afield were wondering who would be the “Guy” that was going to soon go up in flames in the towns spectacular event? "Many wondered if it would be, as in many years past...a celebrity, footballer, politician, world leader, model, sportsman or woman, or just a famous personality from the world of many diversions that has brought disgrace upon themselves, or one who perhaps or not deserves the “special Edenbridge treatment” ...on bonfire night? "The local bonfire committee had many interesting thoughts and ideas who would be the one that would suffer at their hands in 2014...We will all soon find out! But as always all those who are in anticipation of who it will be...will all have to come along on the night and find out exactly who has been chosen..." Who would you want to see burned on an effigy this Guy Fawkes night? Just Guy Fawkes himself - or are there others since him who have committed worse crimes against our country?


The Manhattan Project The Manhattan Project "The force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed against those who brought war..." ---Harry S. Truman What Is The Manhattan Project? In 1938 many people feared that Hitler would build an atomic bomb after word spread that German scientist had split the uranium atom (fission). However, one of Hitlers mistakes was his persecution of Jewish scientists. This persecution resulted in numerous scientists seeking asylum in the United States. One such scientist was Albert Einstein. Einstein, abandoning his belief in pacifism, urged then president Franklin Roosevelt to develop an atomic bomb before Hitler did. Eventually Roosevelt agreed and the United States attempt at building the atomic bomb was codenamed The Manhattan Project. Who Was Involved With The Manhattan Project? The Manhattan Project was carried out in extreme secrecy. By 1945, the project had nearly 40 labratories and factories which empolyed approximately 200,000 people. Among these employees were some of the greatest scientist that have ever lived. Included in this lot were Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Richard Feynman, J. Robert Openheimer, and Harold Urey (and this is but a hand full of the many). What Was The Outcome Of The Manhattan Project? In 1945 the United States covert operation known as The Manhattan Project achieved its goal - to create the first atomic bomb. Since its inception in 1939, scientist had struggled to find a way to harness the power of fission . Through the combined efforts of many, a test bomb known as "Fat Boy" was finally created. On July 16, 1945 in a desert in New Mexico the worlds first nuclear test, codenamed Trinity, was conducted and ushered in the Atomic Age. The Trinity test success led to the creation of two more atomic bombs that would be used in WWII. On August 6, 1945 the American B-29 bomber known as the Enola Gay released the first atomic bomb to be used in warfare. The 9,000 pound bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" detonated in Hiroshima, Japan. "Little Boy's" explosion was catastrophic and resulted in 66 thousand instantanous deaths. Total vaporization from the blast measured one half a mile in diameter. Total destruction ranged one mile in diameter and serious blazes extended as far as three miles in diameter. Three days after the release of "Little Boy" a second bomb named "Fat Man" was released on the town of Nagasaki. "Fat Man" weighed 10,000 pounds and annihilated nearly half of the city. In one split-second, the population of Nagasaki dropped from 422,000 to 383,000. As astonishing as this seems, scientist estimate that both "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" only utilized 1/10th of 1 percent of their explosive capabilities. Source: 1998 Grolier Multimedia Encylopedia Click on the picture to see a video of both bombs being dropped on Japan Long Term Implications Of The Manhattan Project The initial explosion of an atomic bomb is devastating but its destructive capabilities do not end there. Rain that follows an atomic bomb is heavily contaminated with radioactive particles.  Many survivors of the initial blast eventually died due to radiation poison. Those survivors that did not die suffured severe burns, nausea, vomitting, fatigue, diarrhea, and hair loss.  Other effects are still being discovered to date. One such discovery is the passing on of Leukemia to offspring. Not all by-products of the atomic bomb have been negative. Through the atom bomb, scientist have discovered how to harness the power of nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants are far more efficient than traditional power plants. The medical field has also taken advantage of the atomic bomb. Technology used in the atomic bomb is also used for CAT scans and chemotherapy.


What Olympic event was won by Kim Kardashian's step-father, Bruce Jenner?

Kim Kardashian’s step-father Bruce Jenner involved in fatal US crash | The Indian Express Kim Kardashian’s step-father Bruce Jenner involved in fatal US crash Kim Kardashian’s step-father Bruce Jenner involved in fatal US crash The seven people were taken to the hospital for evaluation after the crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. By: Associated Press | Malibu | Updated: February 8, 2015 5:46 pm There’s no indication Bruce Jenner was being chased by paparazzi who were nearby when the vehicle he was driving became involved in a four-vehicle crash that killed a woman, authorities said Saturday. There’s no indication Bruce Jenner was being chased by paparazzi who were nearby when the vehicle he was driving became involved in a four-vehicle crash that killed a woman, authorities said Saturday. The Kardashian family patriarch and Olympic gold medalist wasn’t hurt, but seven people were taken to the hospital for evaluation after the crash that happened shortly after noon on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, said Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Philip Brooks. The moment of impact was captured by celebrity photographers who quickly posted the images on the Internet, but Philips said there was no evidence Jenner was trying to get away from them. Brooks said Jenner cooperated with investigators, passed a field sobriety test and voluntarily submitted a blood sample to determine whether he was intoxicated. Jenner’s publicist, Alan Nierob, said Jenner wasn’t hurt, but he offered no additional details. Jenner was going north when his black Cadillac Escalade rear-ended a Lexus sedan that had just struck the back of a black Toyota Prius, Brooks said. The Lexus veered into oncoming traffic in a southbound lane and collided head-on with a black Hummer. The driver of the Lexus — a woman in her 70s — was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos of the crash site showed the white Lexus mangled in the front and back, facing the Hummer, which had a heavily damaged engine and its hood popped open. Jenner’s Escalade, which was pulling an off-road vehicle, had a damaged front end. The crash occurred aboon a stretch of road sandwiched between the beach and the Santa Monica Mountains. It comes at a time of widespread talk that Jenner, 65, is becoming a woman. Though Jenner himself has declined public comment, those in his inner circles have not challenged the mounting speculation that he is preparing to live as a woman and perhaps will appear in a new reality series about his transition. Jenner’s appearance has gradually become more traditionally feminine, and his mother, Esther Jenner, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she had spoken with her son about his private and public journey. Jenner won a gold medal in the men’s decathlon at the 1976 Summer Games, but he is best known to a younger generation as Kim Kardashian ’s stepfather. He and Kris Jenner frequently appeared on the reality series “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” along with their children, and the pair’s relationship and its troubles have been featured prominently on the show. The two finalized their divorce late last year, ending 23 years of marriage. Tags:


"What devilish creature of European lore can be described as an ""anti Santa Claus""?"

8 Legendary Monsters of Christmas | Mental Floss 8 Legendary Monsters of Christmas Wolfgang  via Flickr //  CC BY-ND 2.0 Like us on Facebook The customs of the holiday season, which include St. Nicholas Day, New Years Day, and Epiphany, as well as Christmas, often incorporate earlier pagan traditions that have been appropriated and adapted for contemporary use. Customs that encourage little children to be good so as to deserve their Christmas gifts often come with a dark side: the punishment you'll receive from a monster or evil being of some sort if you aren't good! These nefarious characters vary from place to place, and they go by many different names and images. 1. KRAMPUS As a tool to encourage good behavior in children, Santa serves as the carrot, and Krampus is the stick. Krampus is the evil demon anti-Santa, or maybe his evil twin . Krampus Night is celebrated on December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas Day in Austria and other parts of Europe. Public celebrations that night have many Krampuses walking the streets, looking for people to beat. Alcohol is also involved. Injuries in recent years have led to some reforms, such as requiring all Krampuses to wear numbers so they may identified in case of overly violent behavior. Krampus may look like a devil, or like a wild alpine beast, depending on what materials are available to make a Krampus costume. In modern times, people can spend as much as they like to become the best Krampus around—and the tradition is spreading beyond Europe. Many cities in America have their own Krampus Nights now, including the new Krampusfest in Los Angeles this year. 2. JÓLAKÖTTURINN Image from Christmas in Reykjavik . Jólakötturinn is the Icelandic Yule Cat or Christmas Cat. He is not a nice cat. In fact, he might eat you. This character is tied to an Icelandic tradition in which those who finished all their work on time received new clothes for Christmas, while those who were lazy did not (although this is mainly a threat). To encourage children to work hard, parents told the tale of the Yule Cat, saying that Jólakötturinn could tell who the lazy children were because they did not have at least one new item of clothing for Christmas—and these children would be sacrificed to the Yule Cat. This reminder tends to spur children into doing their chores! A poem written about the cat ends with a suggestion that children help out the needy, so they, too, can have the protection of new clothing. It's no wonder that Icelanders put in more overtime at work than most Europeans. 3. FRAU PERCHTA Photograph by Flickr user Markus Ortner . Tales told in Germany and Austria sometimes feature a witch named Frau Perchta who hands out both rewards and punishments during the 12 days of Christmas (December 25 through Epiphany on January 6). She is best known for her gruesome punishment of the sinful: She will rip out your internal organs and replace them with garbage. The ugly image of Perchta may show up Christmas processions in Austria, somewhat like Krampus. Perchta's story is thought to have descended from a legendary Alpine goddess of nature, who tends the forest most of the year and deals with humans only during Christmas. In modern celebrations , Perchta or a close relation may show up in processions during Fastnacht, the Alpine festival just before Lent. There may be some connection between Frau Perchta and the Italian witch La Befana , but La Befana isn't really a monster: she's an ugly but good witch who leaves presents. 4. BELSNICKEL Lucas  via Flickr // CC BY 2.0 Belsnickel is a male character from southwestern German lore who traveled to the the United States and survives in Pennsylvania Dutch customs. He comes to children sometime before Christmas, wearing tattered old clothing and raggedy fur. Belsnickel carries a switch to frighten children and candy to reward them for good behavior. In modern visits, the switch is only used for noise, and to warn children they still have time to be good before Christmas. Then all the children get candy, if they are polite about it. The name Belsnickel is a portm


What country has territorial disputes with 11 other countries?

Top 10 Controversial Territorial Disputes - Listverse Top 10 Controversial Territorial Disputes Listverse Staff September 2, 2011 The world is divided in countless ways, by seas, cultures, languages, religions and wealth. But the most contentious divide is that of the political borders. They can be traced back to the early Egyptian Dynasties and have shaped the history that we know today. As a result of their long history, borders are ever changing and continually disputed. Some disputes end up being peacefully solved, some end in war, and some continue to this day. This list contains 10 controversial land disputes that exist to this day. 10 Abkhazia and South Ossetia Claims: Georgia vs. Republic of Abkhazia and Republic of South Ossetia Both Abkhazia and South Ossetia are breakaway republics from Georgia in the Caucasus. The two little known territories have battled for independence from Georgia since the 1920s, but are still unsuccessful in their claims. As a result of the Russian Revolution in 1917, under the Soviet Union, Abkhazia and South Ossetia became part of Georgia as two autonomous republics. However, Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Soviet Georgia in 1923 and 1922 respectively, after wars in the 1920s. Further troubles started in the early 90s, during the demise of the Soviet Union, when Georgia declared independence from the USSR, and adopted its old constitution. Many believed the old constitution would eliminate the autonomy of the regions, but in fact it didn’t. The troubles eventually led to wars in 1992 and 2008. After the 2008 war, Russia officially recognized the countries as two, separate and individual states, and along with Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Vanuatu is one of the only countries to officially recognize the states. The UN, EU and NATO, however, refuse to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states. 9 Kosovo Claims: Republic of Serbia vs. Republic of Kosovo Here we have another, more famous dispute, regarding land that once belonged to a socialist republic. This time however, it involves the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia has a long and interesting history, but we will be concentrating on the decline of the socialist state in the 1990s. During the demise, 5 new states were formed: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and FR Yugoslavia. FR Yugoslavia also contained the autonomous region of Kosovo. War broke out in 1998-99 when the “Kosovo Liberation Army” fought for independence against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The UN was very much on the side of the KLA, and helped with the bombing of FR Yugoslavia. After the war, FR Yugoslavia relinquished all claims to Kosovo and accepted it as a UN controlled region. FR Yugoslavia then split into two individual states, Serbia and Montenegro, in 2006. Kosovo then declared independence from Serbia, on 17th February, 2008, with its capital city as Pristina. It is officially recognized by 80 UN member states, plus Taiwan. It is a member of the IMF and World Bank Group; however it is still, technically, a partially recognized state. 8 West Sahara Claims: Kingdom of Morocco vs. Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic We now move from Europe to the disputed African territory of the Western Sahara, bordered by Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania. It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly consisting of desert flatlands. The population is estimated at just over 500,000 – many of whom live in one city. According to the UN, it is a non-decolonized territory on the “List of Non-Self-Governing Territories”. Originally belonging to the Spanish Empire, it is now claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, after the Madrid Accords, in 1975, when Spain agreed to end its presence in the area. The SADR controls 20-25% of the territory, with Morocco controlling the rest. 58 states officially recognize the SADR as the government of the Western Sahara, 22 have withdrawn their recognition and 12 have frozen it pending a UN referendum. The Arab league


"What figurative ""curtain"" separated Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War?"

Seminar Content | Eastern Europe in Modern European History, an NEH Summer Seminar for School Teachers at NYU Made possible by the Seminar Content During the Cold War the division of Europe into two component halves, Western Europe and Eastern Europe, seemed so stark, so self-evident, and so likely to persist that it profoundly influenced the way that the continent was perceived and understood. This was notably true from the American perspective, since America was so closely associated with Western Europe during the Cold War, in military, economic, political, and cultural alliance against the Soviet bloc that constituted Eastern Europe. The image of the Iron Curtain from Churchill’s famous Fulton, Missouri, speech of 1946 provided the mental architecture for an entire postwar generation thinking about the nature of Europe divided, and led to a mental mapping in which Western Europe was presumed to be the better half (and of course it was “our” half in the Cold War) and Eastern Europe was understood to be lesser, less interesting, less welcoming, more alien, and more backward— the other and secondary component of the continent. At the same time the countries of Eastern Europe, with their dramatically different national traditions, were presumed to be homogenously all alike— colored communist grey on Western mental maps of Europe during the Cold War. It was Western Europe that was much more likely to be visited by Americans as vacation air travel became part of middle class life in the 1950s and 1960s, and the glorious sights of London, Paris, and Rome were much more likely to be part of an American’s actual touristic experience of Europe. One of the consequences of this world political ordering, which lasted for almost half a century from the end of World War II until the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, was a subtly partisan revision of the history of Europe, as it appeared especially in the synthetic textbooks of the second half of the twentieth century. Often focused on the “History of the West” or the “History of Western Civilization,” these synthetic histories did not synthesize evenly but with a strong western bias. The Italian Renaissance, the German Reformation, the French Revolution, the British Industrial Revolution: these all came clearly into focus. The Russian path was singled out for special contrasting attention. But a whole huge swath of Europe almost disappeared from the narrative of European history, with merely general references to issues of social and political backwardness. In high schools this was even more likely to be true than in colleges, in colleges than in graduate schools, but at every level Eastern Europe was neglected in general histories of the continent, while specialized studies, when they occurred, were grouped together under the general Cold War rubric of “Eastern Europe” and often framed and supported with reference to the exigencies of Cold War national security. Of course, the division of Europe into two geopolitical camps during the Cold War was real and meaningful, but it distorted perspectives on European history in two basic ways: first, by suggesting that Eastern Europe and Western Europe had entirely divergent histories even before the Cold War, and, second, by suggesting that all the lands and peoples of Eastern Europe were related by resemblance to one another in their past histories. This summer seminar will address these distortions head on, attempting to analyze the problems inherent in the historical categories “Western Europe” and “Eastern Europe,” considering different historical frameworks for rethinking the way that different parts of Europe have been related to each other in past centuries, and also exploring alternative political frameworks for rethinking what Europe looks like today in the post-Cold War twenty-first century. For school teachers, these issues come up whenever European history is taught and discussed at every grade level. In fact, they also come up as an issue of American history when the subject of immigration is taught and discusse


What sauce is made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, cheese, and olive oil?

Basil Pesto Recipe : Food Network Kitchen : Food Network 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese Directions Watch how to make this recipe. Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese. If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese. Copyright 2003 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchens CATEGORIES: