Which sea battle was the first in which aircraft carriers engaged each other and also the first in which the opposing ships never directly saw each other?

The Battle of Coral Sea 4-8 May 1942 PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: FOLLOW US: Notice: The appearance of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Defense, or NASA imagery or art does not constitute an endorsement nor is Cybermodeler Online affiliated with these organizations. The Battle of Coral Sea 4-8 May 1942 By David H. Klaus SBD-3, LTJG Stanley "Swede" Vejtasa, VS-5, USS Yorktown Battle of the Coral Sea, May 4th-8th, 1942 (Note: Click on any image to see a larger version) What the Battle Meant to the War Effort The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from May 4th-8th, 1942, was the first naval engagement in history where the opposing ships neither saw nor directly fired on each other. It also marked the end of Allied defensive-only activity, and paved the way for future Allied offensive operations. This was the first of six battles between opposing aircraft carrier forces during the war. This battle resulted from American and Australian naval and air forces thwarting a Japanese amphibious operation intended to capture Port Moresby in New Guinea. A Japanese air base there would have threatened northeastern Australia and strategic sea lanes, possibly forcing Australia out of the war and certainly enhancing the strategic defenses of Japan's oceanic empire and further Japanese expansion into the Pacific. The Japanese scored a tactical victory by sinking the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, heavily damaging the carrier USS Yorktown, and sinking a destroyer and an oiler. Against those losses, the Americans managed to achieve their first substantial kills against the Japanese Navy by sinking the light carrier Shoho and severely damaging the Shokaku, as well as damaging other smaller ships. In truth the battle was an operational and strategic defeat for the Japanese--the first major check on their offensive sweep begun five months earlier at Pearl Harbor. First, the invasion of Port Moresby was thwarted, boosting Allied chances in the bitterly fought New Guinea campaign, and fending off a threat to the supply lines running between the US and Australia. Second, the Japanese were denied the services of their two newest carriers on the eve of the Battle of Midway a month later. Historians have argued whether these two Japanese carriers would have actually been used at Midway; regardless, had these two carriers been available at Midway, things might well have turned out very differently for the Americans. Elsewhere in the War To put the importance and timing of this battle in context, we need to take a quick look at what else was happening in late April - early June 1942: April 23rd was the beginning of the Luftwaffe's air attacks against the British cathedral cities. On May 1st, General Carl Spaatz was designated commander of the Eighth Air Force, which had not yet left for England and was still Stateside at Bolling Field, Washington, DC. On May 4th, US Navy aircraft attacked the Japanese invasion fleet at Tulagi Island, the  first shots in what developed into the Battle of the Coral Sea. Corregidor Island in the Philippines surrendered to the Japanese invaders on May 6th, ending  US resistance in the Philippines. May 7th marked the sinking of the Japanese light carrier Shoho by US Navy dive bombers, while the Japanese sank a US oiler and destroyer, mistaking them for a US carrier and cruiser.  US Army Air Force bombers mistakenly attacked US ships, but caused no damage. During the  day, the Japanese invasion force headed for Port Moresby turned back towards Rabaul. May 8th was the day the US Navy lost the USS Lexington (much more on this below). May 8th was also the day the Germans began their Crimean offensive in Russia. It was not until five days after the end of Coral Sea combat that the first 8th Air Force bomber squadron, minus its aircraft, reached England (May 13th). June 4th-7th was the pivotal Battle of Midway, which truly turned the tide of the war in  the Pacific. The Forces Involved and the Timeline The Japanese campaign included two seaborne invasion forces, the main one aim


From which club did Everton sign Jonny Heitinga in 2009?

David Moyes praises versatility of new Everton signing Johnny Heitinga | Football | The Guardian David Moyes praises versatility of new Everton signing Johnny Heitinga • Manager to use Heitinga at full-back and centre-back • Holland international 'proud to sign at the people's club' Everton new-boy John Heitinga with Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk. Photograph: Marcel Antonisse/EPA Wednesday 2 September 2009 09.26 EDT First published on Wednesday 2 September 2009 09.26 EDT Close This article is 7 years old The Everton manager, David Moyes , says he has got two players in one after signing the Holland international Johnny Heitinga for a fee that will eventually rise to £7m. Heitinga was Everton's last acquisition of the transfer window that closed last night, with Moyes praising the defender's versatility as similar to that of the departed Joleon Lescott. "He is here to give me cover at centre-half and at right-back," Moyes said. "Until Phil Jagielka returns from injury we need another player who can fill in at centre-back, and I also felt we needed some more competition at right-back. Johnny is comfortable in both those roles and he has also some knowledge of playing a central defensive midfield role. "This is an important season for Johnny with the World Cup coming up and I am sure he will want to be playing regularly so that he goes to South Africa next summer. "He had a difficult season last year at Atlético Madrid when he perhaps didn't do as well as he would have liked. But prior to that he was outstanding for Ajax. I felt the price for him offered excellent value compared to the prices we were being quoted for other players." Heitinga linked up with the Holland squad after completing his medical and the transfer documentation, and will play against Japan at the weekend. He will not be able to represent Everton in the Europa League, having already played for Atlético Madrid in their Champions League play-off. The 25-year-old said: "I am proud to sign at the people's club. It's a nice club and a club with a big history. I saw a lot of Everton games last season on TV and they have a strong team. I spoke with the manager earlier and the feelings were good. The training ground is really good. It's a typical English stadium and I love it."


Which Puccini opera contains the aria 'Nessun Donna'?

OPERA NEWS - Jonas Kaufmann: Nessun Dorma: The Puccini Album Jonas Kaufmann: Nessun Dorma: The Puccini Album  Orchestra and Chorus of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Pappano. Texts and translations. Sony Classical 88875092492  WHEN DECCA TRIED TO upstage Jonas Kaufmann’s Puccini recital on its rival Sony label by releasing Jonas Kaufmann—The Age of Puccini in August, the tenor urged fans to wait for the “real” album and forgo a hasty compilation of previously released material with only three tracks actually by Puccini. If the superstar tenor’s zillions of fans took his advice and waited for Sony’s disc, they will be ecstatic that they did. So what if he avoided “Che gelida manina” and “E lucevan le stelle,” which appear on the other disc? After a dazzling start with excerpts from Manon Lescaut, we hear something from each of Puccini’s operas, arranged in order of composition, offering a superb look at the composer’s development as well as Kaufmann’s virtuoso vocal acting. The recital opens with an exuberant “Donna non vidi mai,” its unhurried tempo showcasing the tenor’s dark and massive sound, yet with a soft edge that suggests des Grieux’s optimism and innocence. Maintaining a clean line, Kaufmann murmurs “Sussurro gentil” tenderly, before the final outburst “Deh! non cessar.” Manon and des Grieux’s Act II love duet finds soprano Kristine Opolais partnering Kaufmann (as she did in London performances last year) with sensitivity and voluptuous sound. “Ah, Manon, mi tradisce” brings bitterness and snarling outbursts from Kaufmann, as des Grieux sings of his shame and disgrace under Manon’s control, and the tenor’s full-voiced desperation in “Ah! Non v’avvicinate!” brings to mind Franco Corelli’s combination of heroic declamation and heartbreaking poignancy. A lighter sound characterizes Le Villi’s Roberto, a young lad remorseful at the death of a girl he jilted, and the title role in Puccini’s flop Edgar, with the tender aria “Orgia, chimera dall’occhio vitreo.” La Bohème’s Act I finale, “O soave fanciulla,” again with Opolais, is seductive in its intensity and restraint, with invitingly caressed phrases. Tosca’s “Recondita armonia” showcases the tenor’s superb breath control and supple legato in another luxuriously unhurried tempo. La Fanciulla del West’s Dick Johnson recounts his life story in “Or son sei mesi,” explaining how he became a bandit. Here, as well as in his gallows plea, “Ch’ella mi creda,” Kaufmann endows the character with unusual depth. Antonio Pappano, whose unerring ear and superb sense of musical drama guide the Orchestra di Santa Cecilia in luscious, perfectly paced readings, cast Kaufmann in La Rondine early on. The tenor pays the conductor homage with Ruggero’s hymn to Paris, and, for the sake of completeness, Kaufmann includes Rinuccio’s “Firenze è come un albero fiorito,” from Gianni Schicchi. He manages a crisp delivery at a brisk tempo, but it’s a role he was never suited for. The dark lament of Il Tabarro’s “Hai ben ragione” better fits Kaufmann’s somber, mournful timbre, but it’s Calàf’s two arias from Turandot that magnificently display the tenor’s tenderness, heroism, romantic temperament and stunning voice. When might we hear him in this role? —Judith Malafronte Send feedback to OPERA NEWS .


Buckland Abbey was the home of which historical figure?

Buckland Abbey | Historic Devon Buckland Abbey   ? Buckland Abbey Buckland Abbey was founded in 1278 by the Cistercian order of monks, the last Cistercian foundation in England. As with most Cistercian foundations, the abbey is located in a secluded spot, making it one of the more enjoyable historic houses to visit in Devon. After the monastery was disbanded by Henry VIII in the English Reformation, Buckland was purchased by Sir Richard Grenville, former Marshal of Calais. Sir Richard intended Buckland as a prestigious country estate for his son Roger. Roger, however, did not live long enough to enjoy his new property; he died a few years later while commanding the warship Mary Rose. The Elizabethan Garden The estate passed to Sir Richard's grandson, also named Richard. At that time it was common among gentry who aquired former monastic buildings to create their new homes from the domestic ranges of the property. Grenville decided instead to convert the abbey church into a house, in the process creating a cosy and intimate home. He retained the church tower and inserted three floors in the church interior. The result is a comfortable Elizabethan house, though the interior decorative elements can be startling; Grenville was reputed to be quite eccentric, and the plaster and wooden carvings are not to everyone's taste. View from the garden Just four years after completing Bucklands, Grenville sold it to his great rival, Sir Francis Drake. Drake had just returned from his voyage around the world, and his pockets were flush with rewards bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth. As well as Bucklands he purchased about 40 properties around Devon. Although he lived there on and off for 14 years, Drake did not make any major changes to the property. The house stayed in the Drake family until 1948 when it passed to the National Trust. The chapel contains stained glass rescued from Reims Cathedral after World War I. In 1988 four stained glass windows were installed in the windows of the stairwell to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the defeat of the Spanish Armada. A special video presentation and displays within the house trace Drake's career and accomplishments, and there is a regular programme of events and historical re-enactments. An Elizabethan garden has been established at Bucklands, as well as an aromatic herb garden, and there are enjoyable walks through the secluded estate. The abbey Great Barn has also been restored to its medieval splendour. About Buckland Abbey


If Calvin Coolidge was number 30, who was number 31?

News Release - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum Calvin Coolidge: Examining the Evidence (June 8, 1998) News Release Calvin Coolidge: Examining the Evidence For Immediate Release: June 8, 1998 Further information: Ann Scanlon (617) 514-1662 The John F. Kennedy Library, in cooperation with the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation, is sponsoring a conference on July 30-31, 1998, “Calvin Coolidge: Examining the Evidence.” For more than half a century, at nearly all levels of American historical scholarship and education, Calvin Coolidge has been characterized as a complacent, lazy and humorless man and an extreme reactionary--hostile to government and progressive legislation, oblivious to the needs of working Americans and devoted only to the material wealth of the nation and the interests of business. The two-day gathering, on the seventy-fifth anniversary of Coolidge's accession to the presidency, will explore, analyze and discuss the historical evidence on which this view of the thirtieth president is based. We will try to separate myth and reality, examining carefully and as impartially as possible the origins and development of Coolidge's historical reputation. Historians, journalists and interested citizens will investigate Coolidge with an open mind and try to get beyond the tired clichés, distortions and inaccuracies which have obscured his record for so many decades. This effort, as the list of speakers suggests, will yield many surprises. The conference is for scholars, teachers, students and interested citizens of all ages and walks of life. It is presented free, thanks to the generous support of several organizations. Advance registration is recommended. Schedule of Events 8:30: Welcoming remarks John Coolidge, son of President Coolidge (by video) Robert T. Stafford, former Vermont governor, United States senator and current president of the Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation Sheldon M. Stern, historian, John F. Kennedy Library 8:45: “Calvin, We Hardly Knew Ye: A Keynote Talk” Richard Norton Smith, commentator, historian and director of the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum. He is the author of books on George Washington, Herbert Hoover, Thomas Dewey and Colonel Robert McCormick. 9:15: “Taking Calvin Coolidge Seriously: A Discussion of the Need for a New Look at the Thirtieth President of the United States” Robert H. Ferrell, emeritus professor of history, Indiana University, author of The Presidency of Calvin Coolidge. Robert Novak, syndicated columnist, author of The Reagan Revolution and Nixon in the White House, co-executive producer of CNN's "Capital Gang." Hugh Sidey, author of or contributor to seven books on the presidency and political and White House correspondent for Time. Richard Norton Smith, moderator 11:00: Coolidge and the Zen of Politics: How an Aloof, Reticent and Austere Man Achieved Success in Public Life Hendrik Booraem V, author of The Provincial: Calvin Coolidge and His World, 1885-1895 11:45: Lunch Break 12:30: Calvin Coolidge and Me Bernice Buresh, former Newsweek bureau chief and professor of Journalism at Boston University. 12:45: Calvin Coolidge: More Than Two Words -- A Solo Performance Jim Cooke has portrayed Calvin Coolidge, Daniel Webster and Edward Everett at museums, libraries, theaters and other sites across the nation. 1:30: From the Legislature to the Corner Office: An Assessment of Coolidge’s Performance as a Massachusetts Political Leader Michael S. Dukakis, governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1975-79 and 1983-91, and nominee of the Democratic Party for president, 1988 2:30: The Trauma of Death: President Coolidge and the Loss of His Son Robert E. Gilbert, professor of political science at Northeastern University and author of The Mortal Presidency: Illness and Anguish in the White House. 3:30: William Allen White and the Origins of the Coolidge Stereotype Sheldon M. Stern, director of the Kennedy Library's American History Project, an effort to improve the study of history in high schools. 4:15: Reception in the Pavilion and Tour of the Kennedy Libra


The Lollard uprising and the Battle of Agincourt took place in the reign of which English monarch?

Theile: Henry 5 Study Questions for Henry V   1. The long, complicated speech of the Archbishop of Canterbury (1.2) defending Harry’s right to claim the French crown “with right and conscience” is difficult to stage successfully before modern audiences. Laurence Olivier’s film version played it for broad, farcical comedy, and the 1989 film version exaggerated the play’s suggestion of devious and financial motives on the part of the churchmen to such an extent that the bishop and the archbishop become positively sinister characters. What motives, motifs and themes would you emphasize if you were producing this scene? Refer closely to specific lines in the play in your answer and explain why you would make certain specific decisions. 2. It seem that nobody in the French court has any trouble speaking English except Princess Katherine—though it is, of course, inherently absurd that everyone at court, except the royal princess could speak English without interpreters. Study the scenes in which Katherine appears: 3.4 and 5.2. In the first scene we see the Princess attempting to study English with her lady-in-waiting (and being shocked by the bawdy meaning that certain English words have in French). In the second scene in which Katherine appears—when King Henry proposes marriage to her—she apparently still has considerable difficulty with the language, though apparently no one else at court does. Why do you suppose Shakespeare completely ignores language difference except in her case, where he deliberately draws a great deal of attention to it? 3. In today’s lecture, I briefly recounted the history of the proto-Protestant movement, the Lollard uprising, which took place during the reign of Henry V and which culminated in the execution of Sir John Oldcastle, the Lollard leader. It is often claimed that Shakespeare omitted all these internal problems of Henry’s reign and that he had good reason to do so. But, in fact, Shakespeare’s play originally included a deliberate reminder of this episode: his character Falstaff was originally named Sir John Oldcastle, and the name was only changed later, when descendants of the historical Sir John objected. The historical and the fictional character are obviously very different—almost complete opposites—yet it could be argued that thematic echoes of the whole historical episode, and its implications about the relationships between a ruler and his friends, recur throughout Shakespeare’s play. Can you point out some of these thematic echoes of the historical episode? (If this question does not ring any bells, never mind; just skip it.) 4. The disguised ruler, meeting his subjects incognito, is a common theme in folklore, and one that Shakespeare uses in both Henry V and Measure for Measure. In the history play, the disguised ruler, King Henry, is also the commander about to lead his soldiers into a very dubious battle. According to the Chorus, the night-wandering King cheers and comforts his troops, providing “a little touch of Harry in the night.” Yet the scene that follows Chorus’ speech (4.1) provides a rather different picture. The disguised King hears some things he is not intended to hear, attempts to respond, becomes embroiled in a quarrel, and is challenged to a duel. The scene concludes with Henry, all alone once more, searching his heart in a rare soliloquy, and then praying. Write a detailed analysis of the whole scene, spelling out as fully as possible what you think Shakespeare is attempting to accomplish at each point in the action. Notice the various changes in mood, partly accomplished by the switches between verse and prose throughout the scene. 5. What is the function of the Chorus? Why would such a figure appear in Henry V but not in Midsummer Night’s Dream or As You Like It? What does Chorus do in Henry V that makes this figure invaluable to the play as a whole? 6. Note the characterization of King Henry. If you are familiar with the Henry IV plays, you may be surprised at the change in the fun-loving prince Hal, who hung


Who played the young Bilbo Baggins off to adventure in the 2012 film 'The Hobbit - an Unexpected Journey'?

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ( 2012 ) PG-13 | From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC A reluctant hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home - and the gold within it - from the dragon Smaug. Director: a list of 30 titles created 04 May 2011 a list of 37 titles created 25 Sep 2012 a list of 35 titles created 16 Dec 2012 a list of 23 titles created 02 Jan 2013 a list of 22 titles created 18 Jul 2013 Title: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) 7.9/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Nominated for     3     Oscars. Another    10 wins & 69 nominations. See more awards  » Videos The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring. Director: Peter Jackson Bilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness. Director: Peter Jackson While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard. Director: Peter Jackson A meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle Earth from the Dark Lord Sauron. Director: Peter Jackson Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring. Director: Peter Jackson Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well. Director: Gore Verbinski Captain Barbossa, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann must sail off the edge of the map, navigate treachery and betrayal, find Jack Sparrow, and make their final alliances for one last decisive battle. Director: Gore Verbinski Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead. Director: Gore Verbinski Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too. Director: Rob Marshall After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil. Director: Jon Favreau A paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home. Director: James Cameron Earth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity. Director: Joss Whedon Edit Storyline Bilbo Baggins is swept into a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever ... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and co


In Norse mythology who or what was Mjollnir?

Mjollnir | Norse mythology | Britannica.com Norse mythology See Article History Alternative Title: Mjöllnir Mjollnir, Old Norse Mjöllnir, in Norse mythology , the hammer of the thunder god, Thor , and the symbol of his power. Forged by dwarfs, the hammer never failed Thor; he used it as a weapon to crash down on the heads of giants and as an instrument to hallow people and things. Mjollnir was stolen by the giant Thrym, who asked as ransom the hand of the goddess Freyja . When Freyja refused to go to Thrym, Thor masqueraded as her and succeeded in grabbing the hammer, which had been brought out to consecrate him as Thrym’s bride. Thor then slaughtered Thrym and the other giants with the hammer. Learn More in these related articles: Thor (Germanic deity) deity common to all the early Germanic peoples, a great warrior represented as a red-bearded, middle-aged man of enormous strength, an implacable foe to the harmful race of giants but benevolent toward mankind. His figure was generally secondary to that of the god Odin, who in some traditions was... Freyja (Old Norse: “Lady”), most renowned of the Norse goddesses, who was the sister and female counterpart of Freyr and was in charge of love, fertility, battle, and death. Her father was Njörd, the sea god. Pigs were sacred to her, and she rode a boar with golden bristles. A chariot... in Germanic religion and mythology: Thor (þórr) ...Like Indra and other Indo-European thunder-gods, he is essentially the champion of the gods, being constantly involved in struggles with the giants. His main weapon is a short-handled hammer, Mjölnir, with which he smashes the skull of his antagonists. One of his best-known adventures describes his pulling the cosmic serpent Jörmungand (Jörmungandr), which surrounds the... 2 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted Reference Mjolnir - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) Mjolnir (also spelled Mjollnir), in Norse mythology, is the magic hammer of the thunder god, Thor. Mjolnir (Miller), produced lightning bolts and was Thor’s indispensable weapon against the enemies of gods and men. With it he was invincible in battles with frost giants, mountain giants, hill ogres, trolls, and other monsters and demons that threatened heaven and Earth. After being thrown, the hammer would return, like a boomerang, to Thor’s hand. He had a pair of magic iron gauntlets that he always wore when wielding Mjolnir, since without them he would be unable to grasp the powerful hammer shaft. The Norse people believed that when the ground was struck by lightning, Thor had sent his hammer crashing to the earth. Article History Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: July 20, 1998 URL: https://www.britanni


What is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major?

Canis Major: Facts, Myth, Star Map, Major Stars, Deep Sky Objects | Constellation Guide Constellation Guide Constellations: A Guide to the Night Sky Canis Major Constellation Canis Major is a constellation in the southern sky. Its name means “the greater dog” in Latin. Canis Major represents the bigger dog following Orion , the hunter in Greek mythology. The dog is often depicted pursuing a hare, represented by the constellation Lepus . The smaller dog is represented by the neighboring constellation Canis Minor . Both constellations were first catalogued by Ptolemy in the 2nd century. Canis Major is home to Sirius , the brightest star in the sky, as well as to several notable deep sky objects: the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, the open cluster Messier 41 , the emission nebula NGC 2359 (also known as Thor’s Helmet ), and the colliding spiral galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163. FACTS, LOCATION & MAP Canis Major Map, by IAU and Sky&Telescope magazine Canis Major is the 43rd biggest constellation in the sky, occupying an area of 380 square degrees. It is located in the second quadrant of the southern hemisphere (SQ1) and can be seen at latitudes between +60° and -90°. The neighboring constellations are Columba , Lepus , Monoceros , and Puppis . Canis Major contains one Messier object, the star cluster Messier 41 (NGC 2287), and has four stars with known planets. The brightest star in Canis Major, Sirius ( Alpha Canis Majoris ), is also the brightest star in the night sky. There are no meteor showers associated with the constellation. Canis Major belongs to the Orion family of constellations, along with Canis Minor , Lepus , Monoceros , and Orion . MYTH Canis Major is commonly taken to represent the “greater dog” following the hunter Orion in Greek myth. The constellation is depicted as a dog standing on its hind legs, pursuing a hare, represented by the constellation Lepus . Canis Major was described by Manilius as “the dog with the blazing face” because the dog appears to hold Sirius , the brightest star in the sky, in its jaws. In mythology, Canis Major is associated with Laelaps, the fastest dog in the world, one destined to catch anything it pursued. Zeus gave Laelaps to Europa as a present, along with a javelin that could not miss. The gift proved to be an unfortunate one, as Europa herself was killed accidentally by her husband Cephalus, who was out hunting with the javelin. Cephalus took the dog to Thebes in Boeotia (a Greek province north of Athens) to hunt down a fox that was causing some trouble there. Like Laelaps, the fox was extremely fast and was destined never to be caught. Once the dog found the fox and started chasing it, the race did not appear to have an end in sight. Zeus himself finally ended it and turned both animals to stone. He placed the dog in the night sky as the constellation Canis Major. MAJOR STARS IN CANIS MAJOR Sirius – α Canis Majoris (Alpha Canis Majoris) Sirius A and Sirius B, photo: Hubble Space Telescope, credit: ESA, NASA, H. Bond (STScI) and M. Barstow (University of Leicester) Sirius, also known as the Dog Star , is the brightest star in the sky and the fifth nearest star system to the Sun. Sirius is a binary star with an apparent visual magnitude of -1.42. It is only 8.6 light years distant. The brighter component, Sirius A, is a white main sequence star and the companion, Sirius B, is a white dwarf that orbits the primary every 50 years. The distance between the two stars varies between 8.1 and 31.5 astronomical units. The companion is not visible to the naked eye. Sirius A belongs to the spectral class A1V, and the dwarf to DA2. Sirius A has twice the mass of the Sun and is 25 more luminous. Sirius B is almost equal to the Sun in mass (0.98 solar masses) and is one of the most massive white dwarfs known. Sirius A has an absolute visual magnitude of 1.42 and Sirius B, 11.18. The age of the star system is estimated to be between 200 and 300 million years. The name Sirius comes from the Greek Σείριος (Seirios), which means “scorching,” “glowing” or “searing.” In ancient times, the star rose j


Who was the only female judge in the Bible?

Deborah Was The Only Female Judge In Israel By  Jack Zavada Updated April 07, 2016. Deborah was both a prophetess and ruler of the people of ancient Israel, the only woman among the twelve judges . She held court under the Palm Tree of Deborah in the hill country of Ephraim, deciding the people's disputes. All was not well, however. The Israelites had been disobeying God, so God allowed Jabin, a king of Canaan, to oppress them. Jabin's general was named Sisera, and he intimidated the Hebrews with 900 iron chariots , powerful tools of war that struck terror into the hearts of foot soldiers. Deborah, acting on guidance from God, sent for the warrior Barak , telling him the Lord had commanded Barak to gather 10,000 men from the tribes of Zebulun and Napthtali and lead them to Mount Tabor . Deborah promised to lure Sisera and his chariots into the Kishon Valley, where Barak would defeat them. Instead of fully trusting God, Barak refused to go unless Deborah accompanied him to inspire the troops. She gave in but prophesied that the credit for the victory would go not to Barak but to a woman. The two armies clashed at the foot of Mount Tabor. The Lord sent rain and the River Kishon swept away some of General Sisera's men. His heavy iron chariots got bogged down in mud, rendering them ineffective. Barak chased the retreating enemy to Harosheth Haggoyim, where the Jews slaughtered them. Not a man of Jabin's army was left alive. In the confusion of the battle, Sisera had deserted his army and ran to the camp of Heber the Kenite, near Kedesh. Heber and King Jabin were allies. As Sisera staggered in, Heber's wife, Jael, welcomed him into her tent. The exhausted Sisera asked for water, but instead Jael gave him curdled milk, a drink that would make him drowsy. Sisera then asked Jael to stand guard at the tent's door and turn away any pursuers. When Sisera fell asleep, Jael sneaked in, carrying a long, sharp tent peg and a hammer. She drove the peg through the general's temple into the ground, killing him. In a while, Barak arrived. Jael took him into the tent and showed him the body of Sisera. After the victory, Barak and Deborah sang a hymn of praise to God found in Judges 5, called the Song of Deborah. From that point on, the Israelites grew stronger until they destroyed King Jabin. Thanks to Deborah's faith, the land enjoyed peace for 40 years. Accomplishments of Deborah: Deborah served as a wise judge, obeying God's commands. In a time of crisis, she trusted Jehovah and took steps to defeat King Jabin, Israel's oppressor. Strengths of Deborah: She followed God faithfully, acting with integrity in her duties. Her boldness came from relying on God, not herself. In a male-dominated culture, Deborah did not let her power go to her head but exercised authority as God guided her. Life Lessons: Your strength comes from the Lord, not yourself. Like Deborah, you can have victory in life's worst times if you cling tightly to God. Hometown: In Canaan, possibly near Ramah and Bethel. Referenced in the Bible:


Symond's Yat is a high rock outcrop on the bend of which British river?

Symonds Yat Stock Photos and Pictures | Getty Images United Kingdom, England, Herefordshire, Forest of Dean, Wye valley at Symonds Yat Creative RM View over Wye Valley from Symonds Yat Rock, Symonds Yat, Forest of Dean, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe Creative RM High Angle View Of Wye River By Landscape Against Sky Creative RF Kayaking at River Wye Rapids Creative RM


James Arthur was the winner of which TV reality programme in December 2012?

James Arthur wins 'The X Factor' 2012 James Arthur wins 'The X Factor' 2012 Arthur beats Jahmene Douglas to be crowned this year's winner. Don't Miss Share December 07 2016 3:11 PM Share December 05 2016 5:20 PM Share December 04 2016 9:09 PM December 03 2016 8:47 PM Latest News Share 17 minutes ago 5:05 PM Share 22 minutes ago 5:00 PM Share 27 minutes ago 4:54 PM Share 52 minutes ago 4:29 PM 1 hour ago 4:20 PM Must Read Share 4 hours ago 1:05 PM Share 1 hour ago 3:44 PM Share 6 hours ago 11:21 AM Share January 18 2017 2:45 PM 9 December 2012 9:42 PM Shares James Arthur has won The X Factor. He was announced as the champion of this year's series after beating Jahmene Douglas in tonight's (December 9) final at Manchester Central. ©  Ken McKay/Thames/Rex Features Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Both of Nicole Scherzinger's acts made it to tonight's head-to-head final after Christopher Maloney was eliminated last night (December 8). Arthur admitted he didn't know what to say after hearing the result, but thanked fans for supporting him. He will release a cover of Shontelle's 'Impossible' as his winner's single, with 100% of the proceeds going to the children's charity Together For Short Lives. Arthur becomes the first ever winner of The X Factor to have fallen into the bottom two. He was in danger of leaving the competition along with favourite Ella Henderson in week seven, but was saved by the public vote when the judges could not reach a decision. ©  Ken McKay/Thames/Rex Features Advertisement - Continue Reading Below The winner thanked Scherzinger for her support and described her as the "best mentor". He said: "You've been the best mentor, and not only that, you've been an amazing friend." Scherzinger praised both Arthur and Douglas and described Arthur as a "fighter". "He wanted this, he willed this to happen, I'm just so proud of him." she said on The Xtra Factor. Both finalists took to the stage to perform two songs this evening - their favourite song of the series, and what could become their winning singles. ©  Ken McKay/Thames/Rex Features Douglas, 21, chose 'Angels' as his favourite performance of the series, while Arthur performed 'Let's Get it On' for a second time. Douglas then took to the stage to perform a cover of The Beatles' famous hit 'Let It Be', and Arthur sang 'Impossible'. When asked how he felt after Arthur's victory, Douglas said it was a "blessing to share the stage with such a talent". He also joked that his debut album would be called 'Jahmazing' after Scherzinger repeatedly used the term to describe his performances. Watch James Arthur perform his winner's single below: Photo gallery - The X Factor final 2012:


Who played the part of Betty Rizzo in the film 'Grease'?

Betty Rizzo | Grease Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Occupation Leader of The Pink Ladies Betty Alexander Rizzo, known mononymously by her surname Rizzo is one of the main characters in the movie Grease . Tough and sarcastic leader of the Pink Ladies, she does not like to hang out with Sandy because Sandy is not tough enough. She smokes, drinks, and does not care what others think of her. Rizzo is also a girl with a "reputation". The girlfriend of Kenickie . In the 1978 movie, she is played by Stockard Channing , in the 2016 live performance, by Vanessa Hudgens and in the 2017 play version, by Leanna Branz (alongside her co-star and singer, Alexander Shepherd whom played Branz's love interest). In the 1994 Broadway revival, she is played by Rosie O'Donnell Appearance Edit Rizzo is slim and of average height. She has brown eyes, curly and short brunette hair, and a fashionable rockabilly sense of style. She is not as bright and cheerful with her outfits as the other Pink Ladies, and often wears revealing and tight apparel. Personality Edit Rizzo is saucy, as seen by inviting Sandy Olsen  to the T-Birds unofficial bonfire party, reuniting Sandy and Danny Zuko , causing him to switch from the guy Sandy loved to a Tough, uncaring jerkass façade in front of his T-Bird friends, who saw his happiness at seeing her again as a sign of getting soft. She was also seen kicking Patty Simcox and Sandy In Summer Nights . Rizzo is a somewhat jealous young woman; this is evident when she dances with Leo Balmudo while Kenickie danced with Charlene Digregorio . Upon learning that she might be pregnant, she emotionally cut Kenickie ("It was someone else's mistake".) However, immediately after, her smug expression saddened, as she realized that she'd pushed away the guy who actually loved her. Later, she revealed a softer side of herself. Sandy offered to help, but initially Rizzo balked at the offer. Seeing how mean she'd been to Sandy, who was purer than she herself was, she relented and thanked Sandy, both smiling gratefully. At the end of the school year, a carnival is held; Rizzo is seen on a Ferris wheel, revealing to Kenickie that she isn't pregnant. Thrilled with the news, they make up, kissing passionately, and Kenickie proposed, "If that's a line, ain't bitin'. / That's a bona fide offer."


Which major waterfall lies on the River Tees at Forest-in-Teesdale?

Pictures of Forest-in-Teesdale Pictures of Forest-in-Teesdale Pictures Accommodation Towns Attractions Reviews Facts Map Upload This is one of County Durham's loveliest areas. It's landscape, possessed of a wild untamed beauty, highlighted by the meandering River Tees, has a few ancient farmhouses and old stone cottages. The region also has the awesome sight of one of England's highest waterfalls, High Force, whose silvery waters rush in a shattering crescendo towards the deep waters of the lake. The slabs surrounding the falls appear to have been perfectly placed for sitting and contemplating for a while, enjoying the leap and splash of the water. In the distance the eye is drawn towards the daunting grey-blue dolerite crags and further along the Tees is the swiftly flowing Cauldron Snout which lies immediately below the dam of the Cow Green Reservoir. This pretty watery stretch of over 200 yards, lies between grassed and rocky crags, and is more of a meandering cataract than waterfall. Nonetheless, despite a 3 mile hike from the carpark at the reservoir, Cauldron Snout acts as a magnate for the hordes of visitors descending annually on the upper reaches of Teesdale. Forest-in-Teesdale is idyllic, tranquil walking country where you can wander at will, gazing at natures wonders. It is on the Pennine way and is close to Langdon Beck and Maize Beck, with Black Hill and Outberry Plain in the distance. Visitors wishing to explore the region will find a scattering of good hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast, and at Langdon Beck there is a Youth Hostel. Planning a visit to Forest-in-Teesdale? Please support the Pictures of England website by booking your Forest-in-Teesdale hotels & accommodation through this site. in the county of Cumbria (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction NW of Forest-in-Teesdale) Nestling beside the sparkling River Nent, Nenthead lies on Alston Moor, in a lonely remote North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, between the pleasant market town of Alston and the Killhope lead mining museum... in the county of County Durham (13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction E of Forest-in-Teesdale) This is a lovely village lying on the edge of the North Pennines in an area of great scenic beauty. It is a wild and beautiful landscape dotted only by scattered farms with meadows full of grazing sheep and cattle... a Historic Market Town in the county of County Durham (13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction SE of Forest-in-Teesdale) .. a Historic Market Town in the county of Cumbria (14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction NW of Forest-in-Teesdale) At a height of over 1,000 feet in the far reaches of the Pennines, this is one of England's highest market towns. Alston is a lively bustling place of steeply rising narrow..... in the county of Northumberland (14.3 miles, 23.1 km, direction NE of Forest-in-Teesdale) Blanchland, Northumberland is a village located close to the Derwentwater reservoir in Durham and Hexham in Northumberland... High Force (51 Pictures) (1.0 miles, 1.6 km) This is the Tees most spectacular offering, it is also England's highest waterfall. The best time to see High Force is just..... Weardale (19 Pictures) (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction N) This lovely scenic valley lies between the town of Bishop Auckland, seat of princes of the church and the charming market town of..... Killhope Lead Mining Museum (1 Pictures) (8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction N) Killhope Lead Mining Museum keeps alive the counties lead mining traditions. This is a fully restored site of a working mine..... Hamsterley Forest (12 Pictures) (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction E) Hampsterley Forest encompasses over five thousand acres, it is a combination of parkland and forest, giving access to some of the..... Barnard Castle (26 Pictures) (14.1 miles, 22.6 km, direction SE) This historic town is a picturesque centre for discovering the delights of Teesdale.  The town occupies a clifftop site above..... (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction NE) The Abbey in the village was constructed in 1163... Bowes Museum (9 Pictures) (14.4 miles, 23.1 km, direction SE


In which year did Michael Owen leave Liverpool FC to move to Real Madrid?

REVEALED: Why Michael Owen quit Liverpool for Real Madrid | Football | Sport | Daily Express REVEALED: Why Michael Owen quit Liverpool for Real Madrid MICHAEL OWEN has revealed the real reason he left boyhood club Liverpool. 13:10, Fri, May 2, 2014 Michael Owen planned to return to Liverpool after leaving for Real Madrid[GETTY] Owen left the Reds for £8million in 2004 to join Real Madrid, despite becoming a fans' favourite at Anfield. And although he intended to rejoin Liverpool after playing in Spain, the former England hitman instead went on to turn out for Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke. The 34-year-old is now a TV pundit and commentator, but still vividly remembers the dilemma he encountered when told about Real's interest. "It was never my intention to leave Liverpool," Owen told Sportlobster . "I had always thought I'd be a one club man. "I was in America on a pre-season tour when my phone rang with the news. My agent told me that Real Madrid had been in touch and wanted to sign me. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Owen (bottom left) does not regret his spell at Real Madrid [GETTY] Related articles Forget Chelsea! Mamadou Sakho urges Liverpool to keep calm despite title blow "After a week of changing my mind one way and another, I decided that if I didn't give it a go I could regret it for the rest of my life. Like Ian Rush before me, the plan was that I could always come back (well that was my plan!)" Owen never went back to Liverpool and while he regrets not having a second spell at the Merseyside club, he looks back at his time at the Bernabeu fondly. "It was a season I will never forget," he added. "A great experience both on and off the field. Wearing that famous white kit, strutting my stuff at an iconic stadium and sharing a pitch with the likes of Figo, Ronaldo, Beckham, Raul, Carlos and Zidane was the stuff of dreams. "As I thought, I was able to adapt my game to a different style and playing 43 games and notching 19 goals in the process was a record to be proud of. "The only drawback from my decision to head to Madrid was, that after a year in Spain, I didn't manage to rejoin my boyhood team."


'Rodeo', 'Billy the Kid' and 'Fanfare for the Common Man' are all works by which composer?

Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Billy the Kid; Fanfare for the Common Man - Leonard Bernstein | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Billy the Kid; Fanfare for the Common Man AllMusic Rating google+ AllMusic Review               by Blair Sanderson With the possible exception of Sergey Koussevitsky , who introduced his music to the world, Aaron Copland had no greater supporter than Leonard Bernstein . More than any other conductor, Bernstein strenuously campaigned for Copland 's work and generously helped secure the composer's enormous and lasting popularity. One may still find Bernstein 's bravura interpretations less than satisfying, for they are brusque and a little hurried, and the New York Philharmonic is at times too scrappy and pugnacious, even for these rugged pieces of Americana. Yet the four dances from Rodeo, the suite from Billy the Kid, and Fanfare for the Common Man (extracted from the Symphony No. 3) are hard to imagine without some populist roughness around the edges, and any lack of subtlety is compensated by the performers' abundant enthusiasm. Nowhere is their gusto more apparent than in "Hoe-Down," one of the highlights of this disc. However, Appalachian Spring, a tender and evocative work, is rather hard-edged, and some listeners may prefer Copland 's 1970 recording on CBS as a gentler alternative. These performances, recorded from 1960 to 1967, have been remixed to improve Columbia's original sound. While the results are uneven, the listening experience is not disrupted by too many volume adjustments. Track Listing


No.5, 1948 was the world's second most expensive painting (after 'The Card Players') when it was sold in 2006. Who was the American artist?

Top 20 Most Expensive Paintings in the World Top 20 Most Expensive Paintings in the World MC Winkel | Abgelegt: Film-/ Fotokunst , Paintings | 25. Mai 2014 um 12:28 | 10 Kommentare # 20. $75.1 million. No 1 (Royal Red and Blue) by Mark Rothko, 2012. The majestic canvas was one of eight works hand-selected by Rothko for his landmark solo show of the same year at the Art Institute of Chicago. Hier haben wir eine schöne Zusammenstellung der teuersten Kunstwerke aller Zeiten, aufgelistet nach den jeweiligen Verkaufspreisen, ersteigert auf Auktionen oder bei einem Privatverkauf. Das Jahr des Verkaufs und – so denn bekannt – der Name von Verkäufer und Käufer sind ebenfalls mit angegeben. Wie zu erwarten sind alle großen Namen, von Picasso über Warhol und von Pollock zu van Gogh, vertreten, einige sogar mehrfach. Die Welt der Kunstsammler ist natürlich eine ganz Eigene und mir wird sich niemals erschließen, warum man über 250 Millionen für ein Ölbild zweier Karten-spielender Herren mit Hut ausgeben sollte. Trotzdem ist es interessant zu sehen, welche Kunstwerke von welchen Künstlern es in der Geschichte der Menschheit bis heute – zumindest aus wirtschaftlicher Sicht – ganz nach vorne geschafft haben. Und falls Euch interessiert, wie die großen Künstler gearbeitet haben, wie das jeweilige Atelier aussah, könnt Ihr hier nochmal nachgucken . „A review of the 20 most expensive pictures of all time, at auction or private sale. Price paid and year of purchase are included.“ #19. $76.7 million. Massacre of the innocents by Peter Paul Ruben, 1610. Bought by Kenneth Thompson at Sotheby’s London, July 2002. The flamboyant and dramatic work by Rubens – though recently some voices discussing its authenticity have been heard could also fight for the title of „most unexpected success“: Christie’s had estimated its price at a mere £5 million. #18. $78,100,000. Pierre-Auguste Renoir – Le Moulin de la Galette. At the time of its sale in 1990, it was the second most expensive painting ever sold. This masterpiece even went to the same person that bought number one at the time, Daishowa Paper Manufacturing Co. chairman Ryoei Saito. Again, he wanted this one cremated with him as well, but his companies ran into problems with loans and debt so it had to be sold on as collateral. #17. $80 million. Turquoise Marilyn by Andy Warhol, 1964-2007. Bought by Mr. Steve Cohen, the price was not confirmed but is generally accepted to be true #16. $80,000,000. Jasper Johns – False Start. Another painting formerly owned by Geffen and allegedly sold to CEO of the Citadel Investment Group, Kenneth C. Griffin, making it the most expensive painting to be sold by a living artist, the iconic Jasper Johns. #15. $82,500,000. Vincent van Gogh – Portrait of Dr. Gachet. Up for auction in 1990 and purchased by Japanese businessman Ryoei Saito, this was – at the time- the most expensive painting in the world. Saito (then 75) caused controversy at the time, stating that when he died, he’d have the painting cremated along with him. This was later cleared up as he claimed that he was only using the expression to show his intense affection for it. #14. $86,300,000. Francis Bacon – Triptych, 1976. Breaking the previous sale record of his work ($52.68 million), Bacon’s 3-piece masterpiece was sold to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, smashing the previous estimate of $70 million. #13. $87,900,000. Gustav Klimt – Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II. The only model to be painted twice by Klimt and sold a few months after the first version, this portrait of Bloch-Bauer was part of a lot in 2006 of four Klimt paintings that went on to fetch a total of $192 million. Buyer unknown. Click Here and go compare other paintings by Gustav Klimt. #12. $95,200,000. Pablo Picasso – Dora Maar au Chat. Another Picasso, the second highest price ever fetched at auction, and another anonymous buyer. Auctioned in 2006, a mysterious Russian bidder took this home (along with a Monet and a Chagall, spending over $100 million) and no one has since found out who he was. The ownership of the painting has s


In the southwest of the UK who or what is often referred to as a 'grockle?

What are the Home Counties, the West Country, East Anglia? Updated April 24, 2016. What are the Home Counties and where are they? How about East Anglia? Or the West  Country? Ask two English people to explain what they mean when they talk about the Home Counties and you will get two different answers. The same is true of several other English regions that are full of attractions for visitors yet impossible to find on official maps. It's not that there's anything wrong with the maps, it's just that no one can really agree on the locations, borders and characteristics of these traditional places. This brief Cheats' Guide should help you find your way to the Home Counties, East Anglia and the West Country, understand what they are about and discover some of the attractions you won't want to miss.   What Are The Home Counties And Why Should You Go There? The use of the phrase "Home Counties" to designate areas of England's southeast within easy reach of London is one that baffles visitors and, if pressed for a definition, English people as well. continue reading below our video Best Road Trip Apps Definition: When English people refer to the Home Counties, they are describing the counties that surround London but do not include London itself. Sometimes they are referred to as the London suburbs, or the "stockbroker belt," but in fact the designation covers areas much further from London than that. Generally speaking, the Home Counties are Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertforshire, Kent , Middlesex, Surrey and East and West Sussex. There's no official designation to these counties as a unified group. The description is more of a social and demographic way to identify the stomping grounds of the traditional English middle and upper classes. Sometimes parts of Cambridgeshire, Oxford shire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire and even Dorset are included. Some parts of the Home Counties have, over time, been absorbed into London itself. The London Borough of Richmond, location of Richmond Park , Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace - is in Surrey. Middlesex has virtually disappeared into London and parts of southwest Essex and northwest Kent have been absorbed into London as well. What's There? Take off in any direction from London and you will find plenty to visit within less than an hour by train. Here is just a selection: Bletchley Park, home of the code breakers, in Buckinghamshire. Warner Bros Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter - a chance to see the real studios where the boy wizard was filmed, the real sets and the real props, in Hertforshire. A Perfect Day Out and a Fine Pub Lunch in Finchingfield , often considered one of the prettiest towns in England, in rural Essex. Windsor Castle - How can you not visit the Queen's weekend home and the biggest inhabited house in the world, in Berkshire? What is East Anglia and Why Should You Go There? East Anglia get's it's name from the Anglo Saxons. At one time it was the Kingdom of the East Angles, and is sometimes referred to as The East of England. It boasts two of the oldest recorded towns in the UK: Colchester, as Camulodunum the earliest Roman settlement, built on an even earlier Celtic fortress Ipswich claims the title of the oldest recorded Anglo Saxon town. It is located close to the site of the Sutton Hoo discovery , an undisturbed 6th or 7th century Anglo Saxon ship burial of a king. Visitors from New England may be surprised at the familiarity of many of the churches, cottages and even some of the language used in East Anglia. That's because it was a hotbed of Puritanism and, in 1630 was departure point for the settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony who founded the Massachusetts towns of Salem, Essex, Lynn and Ipswich. John Winthrop, founder and first governor of the colony, was an East Anglian. Roger Williams , who founded Rhode Island on the principles of the separation of church and state, preached there. Definition: Look at a map of England and, on the east in the lower half of the country, you'll see a distinctive oval bulge, bounded on the south by the Thames Es


What is the provincial capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia?

Halifax, the Capital of Nova Scotia, Canada Updated: 11/29/2014 About Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia , Canada. The largest urban area in the Atlantic provinces , Halifax looks out over one of the world's largest natural harbours and is an important seaport. Nature lovers will find sandy beaches, beautiful gardens and hiking, birding and beachcombing. Urbanites can enjoy the symphony, live theatre, art galleries and museums, and a lively nightlife. Halifax is an affordable city that provides a mix of Canadian history and modern living, with the constant influence of the sea. Location of Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax is located in the centre of the east coast of Nova Scotia facing the North Atlantic Ocean. Area of the Halifax Regional Municipality 5,490.28 sq. km (2,119.81 sq. miles) (Statistics Canada, 2011 Census) Population of the Halifax Regional Municipality 390,096 (Statistics Canada, 2011 Census) Date Halifax Incorporated as a City Halifax was incorporated as a city in 1841. In 1996 it was amalgamated with neighbouring communities into the Halifax Regional Municipality. Government of Halifax Halifax municipal elections are held every four years on the third Saturday in October. Date of the last Halifax municpal election: Saturday, October 20, 2012 Date of the next Halifax municpal election: Saturday, October 15, 2016 The Halifax Regional Council is the main governing and legislative body for the Halifax Regional Municipality. The Halifax Regional Council is made up of 17 elected representatives: the mayor and 16 municipal councillors. Trans Canada Trail Weather in Halifax Halifax weather is influenced by the ocean. Winters are mild and summers are cool. Halifax is foggy and misty, with fog on more than 100 days of the year, especially in spring and early summer. Winters in Halifax are moderate, but wet with both rain and snow. The average high temperature in January is 2°C (29°F). Spring comes slowly, and eventually arrives in April. It too brings rain and fog. Summers in Halifax are short, but beautiful. In July the average high temperature is 23°C (74°F). By late summer or early fall, Halifax may feel the tail end of a hurricane or tropical storm.


Who, in 2013, released the hit album 'Our Version of Events'?

Emeli Sandé — Listen for free on Spotify Emeli Sandé Play on Spotify An R&B singer/songwriter and soul-jazz artist with a highly resonant voice and diverse set of cross-genre musical influences, Emeli Sandé broke through with her hit 2012 debut Our Version of Events. Influenced by Nina Simone , Massive Attack , and Joni Mitchell , Sandé regularly provided guest vocals for several of the U.K.'s most successful grime artists before eventually embarking on her own successful solo career in 2010. Born Adele Sandé in Aberdeen, she was encouraged to hone her musical talents, which included playing the clarinet and piano and writing and performing her own songs, by her Zambian choirmaster father. While studying medicine at Glasgow University, she signed a publishing deal with EMI and, following a meeting with producer Naughty Boy , the pair began working together on a number of songs, including Chipmunk 's Top Ten hit "Diamond Rings," which she also featured on, and "Boys," which was later recorded by Cheryl Cole as the B-side to "3 Words." After signing a solo contract with EMI , she moved to London and appeared on albums by Tinie Tempah , Professor Green , and Devlin , supported Solange Knowles on her U.K. tour, and scored a second Top Ten hit with Naughty Boy and Wiley on a cover version of White Town 's "Your Woman." Her first solo single, "Daddy," was released in 2010. In 2011, Sandé won a raft of awards, including Best Breakthrough Act at the Brits and at the MOBO Awards. After appearing on Professor Green 's smash hit "Read All About It" toward the end of October 2011, she followed with her debut album, Our Version of Events, in February 2012. Released to critical and commercial acclaim, the singles "Heaven" and "Next to Me" received heavy radio airplay and achieved respectable chart positions across Europe and the U.K. Sandé's profile was given a further boost in the summer when she sang Henry Francis Lyte's Christian hymn "Abide with Me" at the opening ceremony of London's 2012 Olympics. Subsequently, an equally prestigious performance of "Read All About It" at the closing ceremony of the games led to Our Version of Events making a return to the top of the U.K. album charts that August. It ended the year as the top-selling album in the land, and also helped her win a pair of Brit Awards the following February (for British Female Solo Artist and British Album of the Year). Sandé has also written songs for Susan Boyle , Rihanna , Leona Lewis , Cheryl Cole , and Tinie Tempah , among others. In 2013, Sandé released the concert album Our Version of Events: Live at the Royal Albert Hall. She returned with her second full-length effort, Long Live the Angels, in 2016. Recorded on both sides of the Atlantic, the album was inspired by her Zambian background and featured performances from her father and the Serenje Choir of Zambia. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi Read More Show less


In Greek mythology who gave Theseus the ball of thread so he could find his way out of the Minotaur's Labyrinth?

Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology: Theseus Also see The Illustrated Theseus . Greek hero, especially national hero of Athens; slayer of the Minotaur. It was by lifting a boulder that Theseus, grandson of the king of Troezen, first proved himself a hero. Theseus was sixteen at the time. He had been raised by his grandfather and his mother, Princess Aethra. One day the princess called Theseus to her side. It was time, she said, that he learned of his father, who was ruler of a mighty kingdom. This was news to Theseus, who had been under the impression that his father was one of the gods. "Before I divulge his identity," said the princess, "you must meet the challenge your father has set you." Years ago, the king had hefted a mighty stone. Underneath he had placed something for his son to find - if he could lift the weight. Aethra guided Theseus to a forest clearing, in the midst of which was a boulder. Theseus proceeded to lift the stone easily, or so the myth-tellers generally assume. But like most myths, this one is vague about the details. According to one theory, Theseus would have had trouble with a task involving brute strength. This theory was advanced by Mary Renault in her novel The King Must Die. It is based on the tradition that Theseus invented "scientific" wrestling. This is the discipline by which even a lightweight can beat a stronger adversary by fancy footwork, trick holds and using the opponent's momentum to advantage. Theseus would have had little cause to invent such tactics if he'd been capable of beating his adversaries by sheer physical strength. Therefore one may deduce that the hero was a lightweight. So when it came to lifting boulders, Theseus was at a disadvantage. Resourcefulness, another heroic trait, must have come to his aid. He would have looked for some mechanical means to multiply his physical strength. Beneath the stone Theseus found certain tokens left by his father. His name, Aethra now revealed, was King Aegeus of Athens. Prompted by a sense of heroic destiny, Theseus set out forthwith to meet this parent he had never known. He determined to journey to Athens by land, although his mother argued for the safer route by sea. And in fact the landward route proved to be infested by an unusual number of villains, thugs and thieves. Theseus quickly adopted the credo of doing unto these bad guys what they were in the habit of doing to others. Setting out from Troezen, his birthplace, the first community of any size through which he passed was Epidaurus. Here he was waylaid by the ruffian Periphetes. Periphetes was nicknamed Corynetes or "Club-Man", after his weapon of choice, a stout length of wood wrapped in bronze to magnify its impact upon the skulls of his victims. Theseus merely snatched this implement from Periphetes and did him in with it. Some say that this incident was manufactured to account for depictions of Theseus carrying a club like his cousin Heracles, one of a number of instances on Theseus's part of heroic imitation. The next malefactor who received a dose of his own medicine was a fellow named Sinis, who used to ask passers-by to help him bend two pine trees to the ground. Why the wayfarers should have wanted to help in this activity is not disclosed. Presumably Sinis was persuasive. Once he had bent the trees, he tied his helper's wrists - one to each tree. Then he took a break. When the strain became too much, the victim had to let go, which caused the trees to snap upright and scatter portions of anatomy in all directions. Theseus turned the tables on Sinis by tying his wrists to a couple of bent pines, then letting nature and fatigue take their course. Then, not far from Athens, Theseus encountered Sciron. This famous brigand operated along the tall cliffs which to this day are named after him. He had a special tub in which he made each passing stranger wash his feet. While they were engaged in this sanitary activity, Sciron kicked them over a cliff into the ocean below, where they were devoured by a man-eating turtle. Theseus turned the tables on Sciron, just as he had t


What nationality is Yann Martel who won the Mann-Booker prize in 2002 for 'Life of Pi'?

Life of Pi - Yann Martel - Author Biography • Education—B.A., Trent University, Ontario • Awards—Booker Prize, 2002; Hugh MacLennan Prize,    Quebec Writers’ Federation • Currently—Montreal, Quebec, Canada Yann Martel was born in Spain in 1963 of peripatetic Canadian parents. He grew up in Alaska, British Columbia, Costa Rica, France, Ontario and Mexico, and has continued travelling as an adult, spending time in Iran, Turkey and India. Martel refers to his travels as, “seeing the same play on a whole lot of different stages.” After studying philosophy at Trent University and while doing various odd jobs—tree planting, dishwashing, working as a security guard—he began to write. In addition to Life of Pi, Martel is the prize-winning author of The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, a collection of short stories, and of Self, a novel, both published internationally. Yann has been living from his writing since the age of 27. He divides his time between yoga, writing and volunteering in a palliative care unit. Yann Martel lives in Montreal. More Sometime in the early 1990s, Yann Martel stumbled across a critique in the New York Times Review of Books by John Updike that captured his curiosity. Although Updike's response to Moacyr Scliar's Max and the Cats was fairly icy and indifferent, the premise immediately intrigued Martel. According to Martel, Max and the Cats was, "as far as I can remember...about a zoo in Berlin run by a Jewish family. The year is 1933 and, not surprisingly, business is bad. The family decides to emigrate to Brazil. Alas, the ship sinks and one lone Jew ends up in a lifeboat with a black panther." Whether or not the story was as uninspiring as Updike had indicated in his review, Martel was both fascinated by this premise and frustrated that he had not come up with it himself. Ironically, Martel's account of the plot of Max and the Cats wasn't completely accurate. In fact, in Scliar's novel, Max Schmidt did not belong to a family of zookeepers—he was the son of furrier. Furthermore, he did not emigrate from Berlin to Brazil with his family as the result of a failing zoo, but was forced to flee Hamburg after his lover's husband sells him out to the Nazi secret police. So, this plot that so enthralled Martel—which he did not pursue for several years because he assumed Moacyr Scliar had already tackled it—was more his own than he had thought. Meanwhile, Martel managed to write and publish two books: a collection of short stories titled The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios in 1993 and a novel about gender confusion called Self in 1996. Both books sold only moderately well, further frustrating the writer. In an effort to collect his thoughts and refresh his creativity, he took a trip to India, first spending time in bustling Bombay. However, the overcrowded city only furthered Martel's feelings of alienation and dissolution. He then decided to move on to Matheran, a section near Bombay but without that city's dense population. In this peaceful hill station overlooking the city, Martel began revisiting an idea he had not considered in some time, the premise he had unwittingly created when reading Updike's review in the New York Times Review of Books. He developed the idea even further away from Max and the Cats. While Scliar's novel was an extended holocaust allegory, Martel envisioned his story as a witty, whimsical, and mysterious meditation on zoology and theology. Unlike Max Schmidt, Pi Patel would, indeed, be the son of a zookeeper. Martel would, however, retain the shipwrecked-with-beasts theme from Max and the Cats. During an ocean exodus from India to Canada, the ship sinks and Pi finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with such unlikely shipmates as a zebra, a hyena, and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The resulting novel, Life of Pi, became the smash-hit for which Martel had been longing. Selling well over a million copies and receiving the accolades of Book Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal, and, yes, the New York Times Review of Books, Life of Pi has been published in over 40


The Koran contains 114 sections; by that name are these usually known?

BBC - Religions - Islam: The Qur'an The Qur'an Last updated 2011-07-14 This article covers some basic information about the Qur'an and provides some sections spoken aloud in Arabic. On this page The Qur'an A copy of the Qur'an © The Qur'an is the holy book for Muslims, revealed in stages to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years. Qur'anic revelations are regarded by Muslims as the sacred word of God , intended to correct any errors in previous holy books such as the Old and New Testaments . Origin The Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by God in Arabic. Some Qur'anic fragments have been dated as far back as the eighth, and possibly even the seventh, century. The oldest existing copy of the full text is from the ninth century. Although early variants of the Qur'an are known to have existed, Muslims believe that the text we have today was established shortly after the death of the Prophet by the Caliph Uthman. Contents There are 114 chapters in the Qur'an, which is written in the old Arabic dialect. All the chapters except one begin with the sentence Bismillahir rahmanir raheem, 'In the name of Allah the most merciful and the most kind'. This is the thought with which Muslims should start every action. The longest chapter of the Qur'an is Surah Baqarah (The Cow) with 286 verses and the shortest is Surah Al-Kawther (abundance) which has 3 verses. The arrangement of surahs does not correspond to the chronological order in which they were revealed. The Qur'an is sometimes divided into 30 roughly equal parts, known as juz'. These divisions make it easier for Muslims to read the Qur'an during the course of a month and many will read one juz' each day, particularly during the month of Ramadan . Translations Translations of the Qur'an exist in over 40 languages but Muslims are still taught to learn and recite it in Arabic, even if this is not their native language and they cannot converse in it. Translations are regarded by Muslims as new versions of the holy book, rather than as translations in the conventional sense. Qur'an page © Memorising the Qur'an At the time of the revelation of the Qur'an, books were not readily available and so it was common for people to learn it by heart . Committing the Qur'an to memory acted as a great aid for its preservation and any person who is able to accomplish this is known as a hafiz. Respect The Qur'an is treated with immense respect by Muslims because it is the sacred word of God. While the Qur'an is recited aloud, Muslims should behave with reverence and refrain from speaking, eating or drinking, or making distracting noise. Sunnah and Hadith In addition to the Qur'an, the other sacred sources are the Sunnah , the practise and examples of the Prophet Muhammad's life, and the Hadith , reports of what the prophet Muhammad said or approved. Both the Hadith and Sunnah must adhere to a strict chain of narration that ensures its authenticity, taking into account factors such as the character of people in the chain and continuity in narration. Reports that fail to meet such criteria will be disregarded. One famous example is that of the scholar of Hadith literature, Imam Bukhari, who travelled several hundred miles on horseback to acquire a Hadith. When he arrived, he saw the man that knew the Hadith deceiving his donkey into thinking there was grain in a sack in order to induce him to move forward. Imam Bukhari promptly left without approaching the man because he was not willing to allow any individual with a questionable personality to join a chain of narration or contribute knowledge that would define the practice of the religion. Audio readings Imam Misbahi reads passages from the Holy Qur'an. In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions English translation: This is the Book. In it is guidance sure, without doubt to those who fear Allah, who believe in the unseen, are steadfast in prayer and spend out of what we have provided for them, and who believe in the revelation sent to you, and sent before your


In the Bible what was bought with the 30 pieces of silver returned to the Chief Priests by Judas?

textual discrepancies - Who bought the Field of Blood, Judas or the Priests? - Christianity Stack Exchange Who bought the Field of Blood, Judas or the Priests? up vote 17 down vote favorite 6 This is similar to another question "How did Judas Die" , but is specifically addressing another aspect of the story. In Matthew we have the priests purchasing the field: Matthew 27:5-7 (NASB) 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. And in Acts we have Judas purchasing it: Acts 1:16-18 (NASB) 16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. This seems a clear contradiction in the New Testament. What is going on here? up vote 14 down vote They both did - it just depends on perspective for application of the word "bought". It was Judas' money, and it was the priests who used the money he returned to them to buy the field. They bought the field because they could not accept blood money and return it to the temple treasury. In essence, the priests bought the field on behalf of Judas. This is just like when my mother would give me money to go to the store to buy some groceries; we both bought the groceries - I did the physical act and she did through providing the financial resource (and, back in the day of single income families, so did my Dad in earning the income to begin with). answered Sep 2 '11 at 21:35 user32 up vote 13 down vote In many languages today there is the equivalent of the English word "acquire." Like in Russian "priobrel" means acquire - in contrast "buy" in Russian would be kupit. in Azerbaijani language for "buy" we use a word "almaq" which has many meanings like buy, take, gain. and so this word acquire in the original Greek does not necessarily mean that someone put down real money on the counter and got something in exchange for it. To make the long story short, the Scriptures as pointed out here by others show that the Priests bought it, and so Judas gained or acquired it. Now what was Judas doing on that land? He was angry with what happened, he understood how he was fooled by the Pharisees, and could not believe his foolishness. It happens to all of us. In the heat of our passions, envy or some other feelings we do something stupid, and then like in the Azeri saying "let the earth swallow me" feelings rush in. So I guess Judas wanted to do 2 things on the land: 1. to kill himself; 2. to also disgrace the place Pharisees gave him, in an attepmt to disgrace Pharisees too. up vote 11 down vote The ESV Study Bible includes this note about the purchase of the property in the Acts account: That is, the field was acquired indirectly by Judas, through the agency of the chief priests. As Matt. 27:3–7 records, Judas brought the 30 pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders. The chief priests then purchased the potter’s field with Judas’s money, with the same effect as if Judas had himself made the purchase. The verse in Matthew uses the word ἀγοράζω (transliterated agorazō, strongs #59) which is translated consistently as "buy" or "purchase" through 27 places in the NT. 3 more instances in Revelation are translated "redeem" or "ransom" which certainly carries the same general idea. A further examination of the verse in Acts shows that the Greek word used is κτάομαι (transliterated ktaomai, strongs #2932). The other places it occurs in scripture are translated in the ESV as " acquire ", " get ", " gain ", " obtain ", " bought " and even " control ". It


Which England player was sent off during the England/Ukraine game in September 2012?

England's Player Disciplinary Record - Dismissals England's Player Disciplinary Record Retaliatory kick at     Dobrivoje Trivic, despite constant provocation throughout the match. 472 AL 76 Intervened     in a player tangle, grabbed Leslaw Cmikiewicz by the throat and kneed him in     groin. 513 12 June 1977 - 1-1 vs. Argentina Estadio     La Bombonera,     Buenos Aires Fr AD 83 Foul tackle from behind; Daniel Bertoni knocked out two teeth in retaliation and also was sent off. 615 6 June 1986 - 0-0 vs. Morocco Estadio Tecnológico,    Monterrey ND 43 Two cautions - tussled with Mohamed Timoumi and showed disgust at     later call by tossing ball, which hit referee. 30 June 1998 - 2-2 vs. Argentina Stade     Geoffroy Guichard,     Saint-Étienne 5 September 1998 - 1-2 vs. Sweden Råsunda Fotbollstadion,    Stockholm Professional foul on Artem Milevskiy 900 AD 74 For a petulant kick out at Miodrag Dzudović,    after he miscontrols the ball and takes out his frustration. 912 Two cautions - first for jumping for the same    ball, second for a lunge tackle. 930 Sun Life    Stadium, Miami Gardens Fr ND 79 A bad challenge on Antonio Valencia that also his opponent him being    sent off for retaliation Notes England did not have a man sent off until their 424th match in 1968.  Three more were dismissed over the next 30 years, and what was truly a magnificent disciplinary record stood at four   dismissals in the 749 matches played through 26 June 1998. But in England's next 12 matches over a little more than a year, the total doubled as four more were sent off, one of them the first England player to be dismissed on home soil.   For the first time, England had two men sent off during the same season--in European Championship qualifying matches against the same opponent, Sweden.  And for the first time England had players sent off in consecutive seasons, indeed, in three consecutive seasons.    When Paul Scholes committed two yellow card foul tackles against Sweden in 1999, he became the first England player to be dismissed on home soil and thus the first at Wembley Stadium.  Scholes was the only England player sent off in the 223 matches England played at the Empire Stadium. Steven   Gerrard, on 11 September 2012, was the first player to be sent off   at the new National Stadium. A respite followed, but it was short.  In the second match of England's very next European Championship qualification campaign, against FYR Macedonia on 16 October 2002, the young yet often-disciplined striker Alan Smith was dismissed for a second foul tackle, this one coming in time added on at match's end and, absurdly, after the ball already had crossed the touch line.  Smith thus became the second England player to be sent off on home soil, but this time at Southampton's new St. Mary's Stadium.  Captain David Beckham became   the third player to be sent-off on home soil in October 2005 at Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester.  Captain Steven Gerrard   became the fourth at Wembley, September 2012 and the oldest to be   sent-off. Raheem Sterling became the   youngest player to be sent off when he did so against Ecuador on 4   June 2014. He was 19 years and 179 days old. He was also the first   substitute to be sent off, and the least experienced of the thirteen   players. David Batty is the only   player to never play for England again after he was sent-off against   Poland in September 1999. 13 of the 15 dismissals occurred in competitive play.  Three came in final tournaments, all in the World Cup.  Nine came in qualifying competitions, four in the World Cup and five in the European Championship.  Two came in a friendly match.  Eight occurred in matches played in June/July at the end of the season and three in matches played in September at the beginning of the season.  Two in October.  Eleven occurred in away matches, only four at home. David Beckham and   Wayne Rooney hold the distinction of being dismissed from the field   twice in their England career.  David Beckham


In computing for what does the P stand in the term http?

What Do HTTP and HTTPS Stand For? What Do HTTP and HTTPS Stand For? Search the site by Wendy Boswell Updated August 07, 2016 If you've ever seen an "https" or "http" in the  URL  address of a website, you might have wondered what it stands for. These are technology protocols that make it possible for Web users to to view links, jump from link to link, from page to page, from website to website. Without these technology protocols, the Web would look very different; in fact, we might not even have the Web as we know it today. Here's more in-depth information about both of these Web protocols.  HTTP=Hyper Text Transfer Protocol HTTP stands for "Hyper Text Transfer Protocol", the primary technology protocol on the Web that allows linking and browsing. This is the technology used to communicate between web servers and web users. This protocol is the foundation for large, multi-functioning, multi-input systems - like the World Wide Web. The Web as we know it would not function without this bedrock of communication processes, as links rely on HTTP in order to work properly. HTTPS=Secure Hyper Text Transfer Protocol HTTPS is "Hyper Text Transfer Protocol" with  Secure Sockets Layer  (SSL), another protocol primarily developed with secure, safe Internet transactions in mind. The acronym SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL is a secure encryption Web protocol used to make data safe when transmitted over the Internet . SSL is especially utilized on  shopping sites  to keep financial data secure, but is also used on any site that requires sensitive data (such as a password).Web searchers will know that SSL is being utilized on a Web site when they see  HTTPS  in the  URL  of a Web page. So when you navigate to a site such as  Amazon  or  eBay  and you go to pay for something, either through a secure shopping cart or an outside payment system such as Paypal, you should see the address in your Web browser address bar change significantly if the site you have arrived at is a https site, because the https in front of the URL indicates that you are now in a "secure session." Security online is just common sense For instance, you might log into your bank account on the Web. You will have to enter in a user name and password, and then after that you'll see your account info. Pay attention the next time you do this, and check the address bar at the top of your browser. It should indicate that you are now in a secure session with the addition of "https" at the front of the URL. If you do not see this added layer of security when you're on a website that is potentially asking you for your financial or personal information, do not proceed! You are in danger of having your information hacked or compromised.  For added security, always log out of any secure session when you're done, and especially if you are on a public computer. This is just good common sense; even though a website can be completely secure, using all the information and technology we've talked about in this article, you can leave your information exposed to someone else if you do not log out securely. This especially applies if you're on a public or work computer where the network might have more access to your information than you would prefer, but also applies to a more private network (home), especially if you want to keep  your information secure and non-compromised. Bottom line, it's smart to always log out of any secure session that involves your personal or financial information in order to keep yourself as safe as humanly possible.  More information about making your online life secure Hopefully this article has simply made you more aware of your safety online. But if you'd like to take more steps to secure yourself on the Web, here are some resources: Ten Ways to Protect Yourself Online : Take five minutes and learn about simple, yet effective, strategies you can implement to make sure you are protected online.


In which English country is the Neolithic henge monument of Avebury?

Avebury 4 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Avebury i… | Flickr Gordon Robertson By: Gordon Robertson Avebury 4 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles which is located around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire, south west England. Unique amongst megalithic monuments, Avebury contains the largest stone circle in Europe, and is one of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain. It is currently used as both a tourist attraction and a place of religious importance to contemporary Pagans. Constructed around 2600 BCE, during the Neolithic, or 'New Stone Age', the monument comprises of a large henge, surrounded by a bank and a ditch. Inside this henge is a large outer stone circle, with two separate smaller stone circles situated inside the centre of the monument. Its original purpose is not known, although archaeologists believe that it was most likely used for some form of ritual or ceremonial usage. The Avebury monument was a part of a larger prehistoric landscape containing several older monuments nearby, including West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill. By the Iron Age, the site had been effectively abandoned, only being visited as an ancient curiosity by tourists during the Roman occupation. During the Early Mediaeval, a village first began to be built around the monument, which eventually extended into it. In the Late Mediaeval and Early Modern periods, locals destroyed many of the standing stones around the henge, both for religious and practical reasons. The antiquarians John Aubrey and William Stukeley however took an interest in Avebury during the 17th century, and recorded much of the site before its destruction. Archaeological investigation followed in the 20th century, led primarily by Alexander Keiller, who oversaw a project of reconstructing much of the monument. Avebury is owned and run by the National Trust, a charitable organisation who keep it open to the public. It has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument,as well as a World Heritage Site, in the latter capacity being seen as a part of the wider prehistoric landscape of Wiltshire known as Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites. Done


The American Civil War battle known as Manassas by the Confederacy was more widely known by that other name?

First Battle of Bull Run - American Civil War - HISTORY.com First Battle of Bull Run First Battle of Bull Run Author First Battle of Bull Run URL A+E Networks Introduction On July 21, 1861, Union and Confederate armies clashed near Manassas Junction, Virginia, in the first major land battle of the American Civil War. Known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas), the engagement began when about 35,000 Union troops marched from the federal capital in Washington, D.C. to strike a Confederate force of 20,000 along a small river known as Bull Run. After fighting on the defensive for most of the day, the rebels rallied and were able to break the Union right flank, sending the Federals into a chaotic retreat towards Washington. The Confederate victory gave the South a surge of confidence and shocked many in the North, who realized the war would not be won as easily as they had hoped. Google Prelude to the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) By July 1861, two months after Confederate troops opened fire on Fort Sumter to begin the Civil War, the northern press and public were eager for the Union Army to make an advance on Richmond ahead of the planned meeting of the Confederate Congress there on July 20. Encouraged by early victories by Union troops in western Virginia , and by the war fever spreading through the North, President Abraham Lincoln ordered Brigadier General Irvin McDowell to mount an offensive that would hit quickly and decisively at the enemy and open the way to Richmond, thus bringing the war to a mercifully quick end. The offensive would begin with an attack on more than 20,000 Confederate troops under the command of General P.G.T. Beauregard camped near Manassas Junction, Virginia (25 miles from Washington , D.C.) along a little river known as Bull Run. Did You Know? After First Manassas, Stonewall Jackson further distinguished himself in the Shenandoah Valley, Second Manassas and Fredericksburg. The man Lee called his "right arm" was accidentally shot by his own men at Chancellorsville and died of complications relating to the injury. The cautious McDowell, then in command of the 35,000 Union volunteer troops gathered in the Federal capital, knew that his men were ill prepared and pushed for a postponement of the advance to give him time for additional training. But Lincoln ordered him to begin the offensive nonetheless, reasoning (correctly) that the rebel army was made up of similarly amateur soldiers. McDowell’s army began moving out of Washington on July 16; its slow movement allowed Beauregard (who also received advance notice of his enemy’s movements through a Confederate espionage network in Washington) to call on his fellow Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston for reinforcements. Johnston, in command of some 11,000 rebels in the Shenandoah Valley, was able to outmaneuver a Union force in the region and march his men towards Manassas. Battle Begins at Bull Run McDowell’s Union force struck on July 21, shelling the enemy across Bull Run while more troops crossed the river at Sudley Ford in an attempt to hit the Confederate left flank. Over two hours, 10,000 Federals gradually pushed back 4,500 rebels across the Warrington turnpike and up Henry House Hill. Reporters, congressmen and other onlookers who had traveled from Washington and were watching the battle from the nearby countryside prematurely celebrated a Union victory, but reinforcements from both Johnston and Beauregard’s armies soon arrived on the battlefield to rally the Confederate troops. In the afternoon, both sides traded attacks and counterattacks near Henry House Hill. On Johnston and Beauregard’s orders, more and more Confederate reinforcements arrived, even as the Federals struggled with coordinating assaults made by different regiments. The “Rebel Yell” at Bull Run (Manassas) By four o’clock in the afternoon, both sides had an equal number of men on the field of battle (about 18,000 on each side were engaged at Bull Run), and Beauregard ordered a counterattack along the entire line. Screaming as they advanced (the “rebel yell” t


Who plays Dr Joan Watson in the TV series Elementary?

Dr. Joan Watson - Elementary Characters - ShareTV Lucy Alexis Liu (born Lucy Liu; December 2, 1968) is an American actress, model, artist, and occasional ... Character Bio Joan Watson is Sherlock's "sober companion". Watson is somebody who, like Sherlock, is also quite damaged and has a little bit of a fragile history. Watson was a successful surgeon, which adds to her complement of skills. She comes to Holmes when she is hired by his father as his sober companion, to assist him remain abstinent after his release from rehabilitation. After her contracted time is finished she remains on after lying to Holmes, telling him that his father had retained her services. He comes to rely on her input and grows to trust her as she assists him come to terms with his life after addiction. After a while, Holmes reveals that he found out that she was no longer being paid to stay as a companion. He offers her a position as an apprentice, telling her how much she means to him and how she assists him to focus. Watson accepts and starts her training as a detective with Holmes. Episode Screenshots


In terms of English brewery cast units, how many gallons are in a beer firkin?

Firkin - definition of firkin by The Free Dictionary Firkin - definition of firkin by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/firkin Also found in: Thesaurus , Financial , Wikipedia . firkin n. 1. A small wooden barrel or covered vessel. 2. Any of several British units of capacity, usually equal to about 1/4 of a barrel or 9 gallons (34 liters). [Middle English ferken, ferdekin, probably from Middle Dutch *verdelkijn, diminutive of veerdel, one-fourth : veerde, fourth; see kwetwer- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + deel, part; see dail- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] firkin 1. (Brewing) a small wooden barrel or similar container 2. (Units) Brit a unit of capacity equal to nine gallons [C14 fir, from Middle Dutch vierde fourth + -kin] fir•kin 1. a small wooden vessel or tub for butter, lard, etc. 2. an early English unit of capacity usu. equal to a quarter of a barrel. [1400–50; late Middle English ferdkyn, firdekyn=ferde (variant of ferthe fourth ) + -kin -kin ] Firkin  a measure of quantity; half a kilderkin, 1465; as a small cask for liquids, fish, butter, etc. firkin A unit of volume, used especially to measure beer or ale. 1 firkin = 9.8 US gal. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: 1. firkin - a British unit of capacity equal to 9 imperial gallons British capacity unit , Imperial capacity unit - a unit of measure for capacity officially adopted in the British Imperial System; British units are both dry and wet congius , Imperial gallon , gallon - a British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 4 quarts or 4.545 liters kilderkin - an obsolete British unit of capacity equal to 18 Imperial gallons 2. firkin - a small wooden keg keg - small cask or barrel