America's first military involvement in Korea was in 1871. We attacked Pyongyang (now the capitol of North Korea) in retaliation for the sinking of a civilian American merchant ship by the Koreans.
The next time American military forces set foot upon Korea was during World War II. Before and during the war, Korea was a colony of Japan. We invaded it from the south and the Soviet Union invaded from the north. We drew the line at the 38th Parallel, the Soviets would accept the surrender of Japanese troops north of the line and we would accecpt surrenders south of the line.
The U.S. began rebuilding southern Korea and the Soviets started rebuilding the northern half of the country. When elections were supposed to take place in the entire country, the Soviets stopped them in the north and declared the country north of the 38th Parallel, The People's Democratic Republic of Korea (aka, North Korea) and we declared the southern half, The Republic of Korea (South Korea). The Soviets appointed a dictator in the north who, on 25 June 1950, with Soviet military support, invaded South Korea seeking to reunite the country under Communist rule. The U.S. rushed forces from occupation duty in Japan to stop the invasion but these forces were poorly trained and not prepared for battle. United Nations forces (mostly U.S. units) retreated south and held a perimiter around Pusan. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, the commander of U.N. Forces, launched an amphibious assault at Inchon behind the North Korean lines and forces them back north of the 38th Parallel.
U.N. Forces then invaded North Korea, captured the capitol, Pyongyang, and pushed north all the way to the Chinese border. China (another new Communist country) preceived this as a threat and invaded Korea and pushed U.N. forces back into South Korea. U.N. forces pushed the Chinese and North Korean forces back to the middle of the penninsula-the present day border between North and South Korea. The major powers involved in the war called for a temporary armsistance to begin peace talks. Nothing came of the meetings, and the two Koreas still to this day are officially at war with one another.
Along the border of the two countries is a 2.5 mile wide area called the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Neither side can have heavy weapons like tanks or artillery in the DMZ, the only thing they can have is Infantry (like me). It is still a combat zone there. Since the end of the war over 1,500 Americans have been killed in service on the DMZ. The North Koreans fire at Americans constantly, and small unit border actions are not uncommon. There have been over 50,000 combat actions between American and North Korean units on the border.
The DMZ was called by former President Clinton, "the scariest place on Earth."
The following is a portion of an article in National Geographic on the DMZ:
"Day 18,000, give or take a few, of the cease-fire between South and North Korea begins like most other days: Soldiers are preparing for war. In the bitter cold of pre-dawn darkness, 15 Infantrymen huddle together on a road outside a sleeping farm village and streak their faces with camouflage paint.
They snap magazines (clips) of live ammunition into their M-4 Assault Rifles. With the wind comes a faint strain of martial music, as if from a ghostly parade, carrying from the huge speakers mounted across he border in North Korea. At hand signal from the platoon leader, the soldiers noiselessly line up, then disperse, melting into the surrounding darkness.
Their mission is to patrol a stretch of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the contentious no-man's-land that has divided the two Koreas for more than 50 years. The bright lights of Seoul, the South Korean capitol, burn less than 35 miles away, but here in the fenced-off, land-mined, guard towered DMZ, the only reality is a shadowy game of cat and mouse played between soldiers of warring armies...
...As the platoon approaches a North Korean guard tower, the leader signals his men to stay alert. If the patrol is particularly lucky, a North Korean soldier will recklessly dash through the brush and offer to defect with state secrets. If it particularly unlucky, the North Koreans will open fire.
That would be unlucky for all of us: In a worst-case scenario, Korea's uneasy peace could shatter, spilling war across the peninsula, killing millions. And then possibly on to China, Japan, and beyond, pushing the world towards possible nuclear war.
Apocalyptic thoughts come easy here. In a world full of scary places---Kashmir, Chechnya, the West Bank---the DMZ is perhaps the scariest of all, considering the massive firepower deployed on both sides and the brinkmanship practices by both rival camps...
...Recently things have grown dramatically worse. Confronted by U.S. intelligence, the North Korean government suggested it was secretly enriching uranium to produce nuclear weapons. It then withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and moved to reactivate a plutonium reprocessing facility, also to produce weapons material. And then during talks with U.S. officials, North Korea asserted it already has nuclear weapons."
Sounds fun huh? Communist bastards...


Oglala-Lakota artist Joseph Pulliam came to demonstrate his artwork which incorporates history, symbolism, and Lakota culture. He will present, demonstrate and work with art students and World History students who will be studying Lakota culture, history, art, and music. His art is innovative in that he uses ledger paper from the 1880s to paint Lakota history, ensuring that it is historically authentic. Journalism students will cover the project and write a report on his residency visit to the high school. 100+ students impacted.


Thomas Edison made history by developing the first practical electric light in 1879. Albuquerque was the largest city in the New Mexico territory and rapid expansion of the railroad throughout the southwest brought with it the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway that reached the city.
The first gas and electric franchises were established. A local Albuquerque civic leader and businessman A.A. Grant established the Albuquerque Gas Company and secured land to build a plant near the railroad's coal unloading and storage yard. The plant manufactured producer gas--made from nitrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and coal or coke--for distribution to local businesses and residences.
Businessman and landowner Perfecto Armijo established the Albuquerque Electric Light Company and immediately sold his interest in the company to A.A. Grant and Dennis Dennison. The company built a new power plant with a 250-kilowatt generator and reorganized in 1886 appointing A.A. Grant as president.
Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light and Power Company is established through the purchased the assets of the Albuquerque Gas Company and the Albuquerque Electric Light Company.
The Albuquerque Electric Power Company is created to provide and distribute electric power to provide for a growing town with a new streetcar, transit company and a lumber company along with 608 customers. The company partners with the American Lumber Company to lease land for a new 500-kilowatt power plant and supplied fuel and water for boilers and in return provided the lumber company with continuous electric service.
Threat from an outside takeover forces a partnership of the Albuquerque Electric Power Company and Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light and Power Company in September of 1904.
Ads promoting cheaper and cleaner heat from gas than from using coal appear on the scene.
In 1910 a huge advance in technology occurs when the first turbo 1,000-kilowatt generator was installed at the Sawmill Power Plant. Up until this point, a steam engine had been used to turn the generator.
In 1911, a public utility holding company, New York City's Federal Light and Traction Company took financial control of the two partnered companies who serve as Albuquerque’s main power supplier until 1917.
New Mexico is granted statehood on January 6, 1912.
The same year to increase sales of electricity utilities the company began offering low cost wiring services for homes payable in monthly installments. The ads emphasized safety, attractiveness and comfort of having electric light in the home.
Electric companies sold appliances directly to the public. Utility companies would host appliance demonstrations that were well attended. In an ad from the Albuquerque Evening Herald on Dec. 1, 1913 small appliances were priced at:
- Coffee Percolator Machines $6.90
- Electric Chafing Dish$7.35
- Electric Flat Iron $3.00
- Electric Percolator Coffee Pot $5.50
- Electric Grill $3.45
- Electric Heating Pad $3.50-$4.50
- Egg Cooker $6.25
- Electric Toaster $2.75
New York City's Federal Light and Traction Company officially merge the two Albuquerque companies: Albuquerque Electric Power Company and Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light and Power Company into a new organization, the Albuquerque Gas & Electric Company.


This is outside the Jokhang. (You aren’t allowed to take pictures inside.) As you’ll see, there are people prostrating, and making mandala offerings, while tourists take their picture. These two worlds uneasily but peacefully coexist, both outside and inside the temple.
I was moved to floods of tears the first time I went inside the Jokhang. In this sacred place, founded in the 7th century, I had a deep sense of coming home. I wasn’t thinking ‘Oh I must have been a Tibetan in a previous life’. Vessantara means ‘universe within’ and, of all the places I have seen in my 56 years, the Jokhang is the one that gives the fullest outer expression to my inner world.
I was deeply moved by the Jowo, the ancient and revered statue of Shakyamuni that sits at the heart of the mandala of the Jokhang, blessing all who come to it.
I was moved by the profusion of other images, in side-chapels all around the two lower storeys of the building. All the figures that I have come to know and love in Tibetan Buddhism as expressions of the qualities of Enlightenment were there. Love, compassion, wisdom, peace, energy and freedom, all embodied in hundreds of figures in statues and murals. Here was the great thousand-armed form of Avalokiteshvara, reaching out in compassion to all living beings. Here were the eight spiritually-potent forms of Padmasambhava. Here was an image of Je Tsongkhapa that he had praised as being a good likeness of himself. Here was a transfixing image of Pel Lhamo, the female protector of the teaching. And more and yet more images, as we followed the Tibetan devotees from one dimly-lit room to the next.
Witnessing the intense devotion of the Tibetans was also very affecting. Their openhearted faith and devotion was all the more impressive considering the terrible obstacles that have been placed in their way over recent decades. But you cannot halt the momentum created by almost fifteen hundred years of heartfelt Dharma practice in a generation or two. Still it carries on, day after day. I saw pilgrims arriving with metal pads on their hands, having prostrated the long road to Lhasa from other parts of Tibet. They seemed overwhelmed to have arrived at their goal, to be in the presence of the Jowo. Tibetans believe that sincere wishes made in front of the Jowo will come true. (May it be so, and may my wishes for Dagyab Rinpoche’s good health, long life, and the success of TibetHaus and all his Dharma work be fulfilled!)
The atmosphere gave me a sense of what it must have been like in a European cathedral in the Middle Ages. But somehow the Jokhang seemed timeless, the archetype of all places of worship. Its old stone stairs were slippery with butter from endless offerings; its great wooden pillars seemed to have put down roots into the earth. And for me the deep, rhythmic drums from the protectors’ chapel were the sound of the still-beating heart of Tibetan Buddhism.
This picture was taken in the toilets of the Jokhang. What’s that above the washbasins? Well, they’re two western ‘thangkas’ that have somehow infiltrated this sacred place. On the right is a poster of Real Madrid FC, and the one to the left is David Beckham, the English footballer. Football spans the world these days and someone has introduced these ‘western icons’ into the mandala of the Jokhang. But they are only in the toilets, and after being used as a pigsty during the Cultural Revolution, for the Jokhang to have a few footballers in its washroom must seem a very minor indignity.
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Boy Scouts of America
P.O Box 346
Navarro, Ca. 95463
UPS or Fed Ex Address:
Boy Scouts of America
901 Masonite Industrial Road
Navarro, Ca. 95463
Among the redwoods in scenic Mendocino County, California—eight miles from the Pacific Ocean—Camp Masonite Navarro presents numerous opportunities for great times. Located on the beautiful Navarro River, just 70 miles northwest of Santa Rosa, Camp Masonite Navarro makes an ideal weekend destination for Bay Area and North Coast groups. Enjoy the Camp for its trails, rifle range, archery range, or nature study, or use it as a base camp for exploring the Mendocino coast.
A Boy Scout/Cub Scout summer camp with a staff of more than 40 highly qualified leaders, Camp Masonite Navarro offers an excellent opportunity for Scouts to achieve rapid advancement.
For large or small groups—even groups not related to the Boy Scouts of America—a retreat at Camp Masonite Navarro combines rustic beauty with the convenience of modern conference facilities.
Camp Masonite Navarro’s newly built timber lodge features a 300-seat dining and assembly room with a massive fireplace, a fully equipped modern kitchen, additional conference space, and a medical center. Cozy sleeping cabins and convenient bathroom and shower facilities make Camp Masonite Navarro a comfortable choice for groups of every description. Guests may enjoy the 45-acre redwood-studded compound and its rich variety of wildlife. The camp is just a short drive from the Mendocino coast, the Anderson Valley wine region, and Hendy Woods State Park.
Any reservations with Camp Navarro will need to be made through the Scout Office, Please Contact Terri Forrest at 707-546-8137 x5 with any requests/questions regarding this process
Around the turn of the century, the area we now know as Camp Masonite Navarro was home to the “California Logging Camp.” The area now occupied by administration buildings and the old dining hall served as mess hall and social hall for some 50 to 75 loggers. Those with families lived in nearby towns and stayed at the camp while they worked and went home on days off. Logging was much different in those years, using two-man saws and pulling the logs to the river with horses or the help of the train. In most cases the logs were transported to the mill by river, in this case the Navarro River, and in appropriate times by train In both cases they were then milled in nearby Fort Bragg and taken to destinations unknown
As the logging industry grew, both in size and sophistication, so did the camp. As more houses went up, the need for lumber went wild, and automation stepped in, bringing the era of two-man saws to a close. When pickup trucks came on the scene, it meant that lumberjacks could throw their power saws in the back of their 4-wheel drive trucks and drive to the job site instead of camping in the woods. Logging camps were slowly phased out except in very remote areas By 1954, the Scout way of camping had changed, too, and a summer-style camp was established. Scouts would go to camp now for a week at a time and, with their leaders, spend several days working in fun and advancement. By this time the Masonite Corporation had purchased the land that ran along Highway 128 to Ukiah and north to south for many miles Late in 1955, the birth of a camp came to pass. The Masonite Corporation and the Sonoma Mendocino Area Council of BSA entered into a lease agreement at $1 per year for what became Camp Navarro. The camp operated every year and remained just the way the loggers left it. In later years many changes became necessary. As our membership grew, so did the camp. The dining hall became larger and sleeping areas were made for campers. The camp remained virtually the same throughout the seventeen years of lease usage.
In the early 1970’s, Harold Alexander, then Council Executive, and the SMAC Executive Board, started making progress toward the donation of the property. On August 29, 1973, Camp Navarro became the property of the Boy Scouts of America and 50 acres of redwoods and river frontage became known as Camp Masonite Navarro. The name Masonite is included as a means of showing appreciation for the gift Over the years many cabins have been added and changes made. The most recent addition to the now expanded acreage is the Bosch Lodge (Dining and Conference Facility) and staff shower house. Both were built to fit the area and most of Bosch Lodge was made from wood logged on the camp property. Camp now in its present form is a beautiful and workable place for Scouts and families.


An excellent early example of human-animal cybernetic systems.
This experimental device was developed during World War II by behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner, who experimented with harnessing pigeons’ pecking movements to steer missiles. Skinner divided this nose cone into three compartments, and proposed strapping a pigeon in each one. As a bomb headed towards earth, each pigeon would see the target on its screen. By pecking at the image, the birds would activate a guidance system that would keep the bomb on the right path until impact. Skinner’s idea received initial support, but the U.S. military finally dismissed it as impractical.


Ⅰ.阅读理解 (考查热点:非物质文化遗产)Pizza is a pretty universal treat, but where did it start? Here are three things you probably didn't know about pizza.
· Pizza's Origins Are Half-Baked.
The Neapolitans(那不勒斯人)in Italy are proud of saying they invented pizza, but it's probably more accurate to say, they perfected it. The idea of putting toppings on a flatbread and baking it started in the 6th century BC. But the people of Naples were the first to put tomato on a flatbread in the 16th century. From its start, pizza was a food of the poor, as it was cheap, filling and easy to eat on the run. In Italian, the word “pizza” refers to anything that is made and then pressed flat.
· Pizza Margherita Is Not Exactly a Symbol of Italy.
It was said some day in 1889, a local baker named Raffaele Esposito created three pizzas for Queen Margherita when she was on a tour of Italy. The queen loved the version that had tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese—and just happened to match the colors of the Italian flag. So Esposito named the pizza after her.
But Pizza historian Scott Wiener points out that Italy was unified in name only in 1889 so it was unlikely any Neapolitan baker would want to celebrate “the Northern conquerors”. Further, the letter of gratitude for the pizza from the royal household that Pizzeria Brandi displays appears to be a fake(赝品)and may just have been a marketing plan.
· Hawaiian Pizza Invented by a Canadian.
Sam Panopoulos, from Greece originally moved to Canada at the age of 20. In 1962, he decided to put some ham and pineapple on a pizza at one of his restaurants in Ontario.
“We just put it on for fun to see how it was going to taste,” he told the BBC in 2017. Panopoulos named it the Hawaiian pizza after the brand of canned pineapple he used. The mix of sweet and savory toppings caught on with a certain part of the pizza-loving public. The inventor died in 2017.
1.Who was pizza first made for?
A.The people of Naples. B.The rich Italian people.
C.The poor Neapolitan people. D.Queen Margherita specially.
2.What can we learn about Pizza Margherita?
A.It was intended to match the colors of the Italian flag.
B.It was made to celebrate “the Northern conquerors”.
C.It was displayed in the royal house.
D.It was made to cater for Queen Margherita.
3.How did the name of Hawaiian Pizza come?
A.It was named after a brand of canned pineapple.
B.It was named after a restaurant in Ontario.
C.It came from a local Hawaiian cook.
D.It came from the pizza-loving public.
1.C 推断题。根据第2段中的“From its start, pizza was a food of the poor, as it was cheap, filling and easy to eat on the run.”可知,比萨最初是为贫穷的那不勒斯人制作的,因为它很便宜。
2.D 细节题。根据第3段中的“The queen loved the version that had tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese ...So Esposito named the pizza after her.”可知,玛格丽特比萨是烘焙师专门为玛格丽特女王在意大利旅行时准备的,并以她的名字命名的。
3.A 细节题。根据最后一段中的“Panopoulos named it the Hawaiian pizza after the brand of canned pineapple he used.”可知,夏威夷比萨是以一种罐装菠萝命名的。


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Such new terms as palliative medicine and palliative care became usual in the medicine world during the 80th. Palliative (from Latin pallium, cloak) is an area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients. Thus, it presupposes an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.
During the 80th this area became a separate section of clinical medicine. In the meantime, non-governmental organizations were established in many countries with the aim to promote the development of palliative care. Medical and social institutions with the standard set of services sprang up.
The history of palliative care institutions and hospices dates back to ancient times. The concept of hospice has been evolving since the 11th century. Then, and for centuries thereafter, hospices were places of hospitality for the sick, wounded, or dying, as well as those for travelers and pilgrims.
Mankind has always been taking care about dying, needy and poor. It differed within societies and religion but the idea of mercy didn’t change: to shelter, to nourish, to warm, to mollify, to calm down, to encourage, to support.
Back in Kievan Rus times charity and mercy was considered mandatory for most society members. The princes often gave dinners to the poor, “holy” people were living at their court. There were many cloisters on our territories. Moreover, poorhouses were attached to them, where sick and destitute could find shelter. Monks took care of these people, treating their bodies and souls.
Some shelters and poorhouses have ancient history. For example, one of them was opened in 1342 in the Polish Lublin, in Warsaw the House of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary was established in 1388. But only nowadays the idea of compassion and humanity have a chance to get a standards system, guaranteed by every member of society. This sphere is growing actively, its’ main task is to improve the quality of life and alleviate the suffering of the terminally ill.
In 1967, Cicely Saunders opened the first modern St. Christopher’s Hospice.
In 1969, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross published the first book on thanatology with over 500 interviews with dying patients. The book shocked the community. The issue of legal regulation of patience’s right to deciding the terms of his death was raised in parliaments of many countries.
In 1981, so-called Lisbon Declaration was adopted by the World Health Organization, which included a list of patient rights, in particular the right to die with dignity.
In 1986, WHO accepted “pain scale”.
In 1988, to spread the ideology of Palliative Care European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) was established. Today, the organization brings together volunteers, people of good will, who aim to develop palliative care, social work, cultural and anthropological issues for terminally ill patients. Nowadays the organization has more than 6,000 permanent members, representatives of many countries and all areas of medicine relating to the care of patients with advanced and terminal cancers and other diseases.
EAPC makes a significant contribution to social development, focusing on information exchange, organization of educational initiatives and conferences, bringing together professionals working in this sphere. Every two years the Association gathers its experts.
The first Palliative Care Congress on European level was held at the University of Milan (Italy), April 23-25, 1988. It became the starting point in the history of the EAPC. Due to the initiative of Professor Vittorio Ventafridda, EAPC was established and comprised of 42 members. This event took place on December 12, 1988.
In 1990, experts’ report “Analgesia in cancer and palliative care” was published, thus palliative care as an independent approach gets official international recognition. Many countries started to set up the first national association and the association of hospice and palliative care: NHPCO and IAHPC (both USA), EAPC (Italy), Help The Hospices ( the UK ).
In 2002, already eight countries developed and established national standards for palliative and hospice care.
In 2003, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe worked out recommendations on palliative care.
Russia was the first country among Commonwealth of Independent States to develop a palliative care. In 1990, Victor Zorza founded the Russian-British Hospice Association and published the book “The Way to the death. Living up to the end”. On the same year Lakhtinski hospice was opened near St. Petersburg.
The first hospices in Ukraine were established in Lviv (chief physician is Eugene Moskvyak), Ivano-Frankivsk (Head Physician is Lyudmyla-Oksana Andriishyn) Korosten (chief physician is Ludmila Buslaeva). They were opened with the assistance of international organizations.
Hospice in Lviv in particular was founded due to the programme “Ukrainian compassion and care” back in 1989. It became the interest of help service of the Order of Malta, which granted some hospital equipment. The city administration allocated building of the former Children’s Hospital, which was capitally repaired. Methodological foundations of a new medical institution were developed, staffing and funding approved. In March 1997, the Hospice was opened in Lviv.
Now there are about 20 hospices and palliative care units in Ukraine that operate on different principles: national, charitable, community. Of course, not all of them meet international standards of palliative care. But their existence means that patients have the right for pain control, hospice fulfills of their last will and peace to their last way.


Hardy Products - Made in England
The Heritage Series of Fly Rods and Reels from Hardy Alnwick. For well over a century, Hardy has a storied tradition as being the manufacturer of some of the finest game fishing tackle in the world - the name is synonymous with quality and excellence. Such reputations are not acquired easily, but it has never faltered throughout the Company's long history.
That history began in 1872, when William Hardy established himself as a gunsmith in his home town of Alnwick, Northumberland. A year later he was joined by his brother, John James, and the Hardy Brothers Partnership came into being. The high quality guns which they sold ranged from shotguns to pistols. However, despite their success, the Hardy brothers' passion for fishing soon dictated a change in direction. Their favorite hobby became their profession, and the reputation of Hardy rods and reels was born.
Heritage Split Cane Bamboo Fly Fishing Rods
Gladstone and bespoke Palakona rods are created in Alnwick by Callum Gladstone, a master rod builder with over two decades of experience. Experience. Expertise. Passion. Sublime rods for a sublime angling experience. It was nearly a century ago that Hardy invented a planing machine that revolutionized the construction of split-bamboo rods. The straight, delicate, yet immensely strong bamboo that was created, was called Palakona and has been the blank material used in the rods ever since.
Heritage Fly Fishing Reels
The Hardy Perfect. The reel that needs no introduction. It is perhaps the most famous product ever to have left the Hardy factory in Alnwick. A timeless design utilizing the most modern technology is once again made in Alnwick, England - the Hardy Perfect really does typify the Heritage range.
The Hardy St. George Salmon was first introduced in 1920, then, in 1921, the design was changed to incorporate the ?silent wind in' action. The St George Salmon remained in production for 5 years and now, 90 years later, Hardy is manufacturing the St. George Salmon reels in it's Alnwick, England Factory.
Hardy Reel Designer, Charlie Norris said-
"The St George Salmon reels were incredibly advanced for their day. Using a mid arbour spool, these reels were also fitted as standard with such innovative features as a circular revolving line guard, twin handles and compensating check."
"Today, we have taken the same features and incorporated them into a fully bar stock version of the reel which is available with a mid arbour #9/10 spool and a standard arbour #11/12 spool."


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan attends the marriage procession of his eldest son Dara Shikoh. Mughal-Era fireworks were utilized to brighten the night throughout the wedding ceremony.
A royal wedding is a marriage ceremony involving members of a royal family. Weddings involving senior members of the royal family are often seen as important occasions of state and attract significant national and international attention.
Westminster Abbey has a long tradition as a venue for royal weddings, although there was a hiatus of these from 1382 until 1919, and only two of these weddings were of the reigning monarch of the time (Henry I and Richard II).
11 November 1100: Henry I was married to Matilda of Scotland.
9 April 1269: Prince Edmund (Earl of Lancaster), son of Henry III, was married to Aveline de Forz.
30 April 1290: Joan of Acre, daughter of Edward I, was married to Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester.
8 July 1290: Margaret of England, daughter of Edward I, was married to John II.
20 January 1382: Richard II was married to Anne of Bohemia.
27 February 1919: Princess Patricia of Connaught, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was married to Alexander Ramsay DSO.
28 February 1922: Princess Mary, only daughter of King George V, was married to Viscount Lascelles.
26 April 1923: Prince Albert, Duke of York, second son of King George V and successor to King Edward VIII, was married to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
29 November 1934: Prince George, son of King George V, was married to Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark.
20 November 1947: Princess Elizabeth, eldest daughter and successor of King George VI, was married to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.
6 May 1960: Princess Margaret, second daughter of King George VI, was married to Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones.
24 April 1963: Princess Alexandra of Kent was married to Angus Ogilvy.
14 November 1973: Princess Anne, only daughter of Elizabeth II, was married to Captain Mark Anthony Peter Phillips.
23 July 1986: Prince Andrew, second son of Elizabeth II, was married to Sarah Ferguson.
29 April 2011: Prince William of Wales, second grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, eldest son of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and second in line to the throne, was married to Catherine Elizabeth Middleton.
St Paul’s Cathedral
29 July 1981: Charles, Prince of Wales, eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and heir apparent, was married to Diana Frances Spencer
Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace
8 April 1795: Prince George, Prince of Wales eldest son and successor of King George III, was married to Princess Caroline, Duchess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
10 February 1840: Queen Victoria, only daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn and successor of King William IV was married to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke of Saxony
6 July 1893: Prince George, Duke of York, second son of King Edward VII, was married to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck
6 November 1935: Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, son of George V was married to Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott
St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
10 March 1863: Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, eldest son and successor of Queen Victoria, was married to Princess Alexandra of Denmark
19 June 1999: Prince Edward, youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, was married to Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones
17 May 2008: Peter Mark Andrew Phillips, eldest grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and son of Anne, Princess Royal, was married to Autumn Patricia Kelly
In addition to the above, the marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2005 received a blessing from The Archbishop of Canterbury.
9 April 2005: Charles, Prince of Wales, eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and heir apparent, was married to Camilla Parker Bowles
12 December 1992: Anne, Princess Royal, only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II was married to Captain Timothy James Hamilton Laurence.
30 July 2011: Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips, MBE, eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and daughter of Anne, Princess Royal, was married to Michael James Tindall, MBE
Outside of the United Kingdom
Cathedral of Notre Dame d’Eu
1053: William I to Matilda of Flanders
Château de Candé. Monts, Indre-et-Loire
3 June 1937: Prince Edward eldest son and successor to George V and abdicated King, was married to Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson
Royal Palace of Brussels
4 February 1875: Louise, Princess of Belgium and Filip von Saksen-Coburg
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula
4 November 1926: Leopold, Duke of Brabant and Astrid, Princess of Sweden.
2 July 1959: Albert, Prince of Liège and Dona Paola, Princess Ruffo di Calabria
15 December 1960: The King of the Belgians and the Fabiola, countess de Mora y Aragon.
4 December 1999: Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant and Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz.
12 April 2003: Prince Laurent of Belgium and Claire Coombs
Church of Our Lady of “De Zavel”
22 September 1984: Astrid, Princess of Belgium and Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este
Holmens Kirke, Copenhagen
10 June 1967: Crown Princess Margrethe of Denmark, eldest daughter and successor to Frederick IX of Denmark, was married to Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat.
Frederiksborg Slots Kirke, Hillerød
18 November 1995: Prince Joachim of Denmark, youngest son of Margrethe II of Denmark, was married to Alexandra Christina Manley
Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen
14 May 2004: Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, eldest son of Margrethe II of Denmark and heir apparent, was married to Mary Elizabeth Donaldson.
Møgeltønder Church, Møgeltønder
24 May 2008: Prince Joachim of Denmark, youngest son of Margrethe II of Denmark, was married to Marie Agathe Odile Cavallier
22 May 2004: Felipe, Prince of Asturias, eldest son of King Juan Carlos I, was married to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano.
19 June 1976: Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, grandson and successor to Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden, was married to Silvia Renate Sommerlath
19 June 2010: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, eldest daughter and heiress apparent of Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, was married to Daniel Westling.
Prince’s Palace of Monaco
19 April 1956: Rainier III, Sovereign Prince of Monaco was married to Grace Patricia Kelly.
1 July 2011: Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco was married to Charlene Lynette Wittstock
10 March 1966: Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, eldest daughter and successor of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands was married to Claus van Amsberg.
2 February 2002: Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, eldest son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and, then, heir apparent, was married to Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti at the Beurs van Berlage.
24 April 2004: Prince Friso of Orange, second son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, was married to Mabel Martine Los
29 August 1968: Crown Prince Harald of Norway, only son and successor to Olav V of Norway, was married to Sonja Haraldsen.
25 August 2001: Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, eldest son of King Harald V of Norway and heir apparent, was married to Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby.
24 May 2002: Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, daughter of King Harald V of Norway, was married to Ari Behn.
Sra Pathum Palace
28 April 1950: King Bhumibol Adulyadej was married to Mon Rajawongse Sirikit.
LMS Chapel, Huahine
October 19, 1823: Princess ʻAimata Pomare of Tahiti was married to King Tapoa II of Tahaʻa and Bora Bora
October 19, 1823: High Chief Hoapili was married to Queen Dowager Kalākua Kaheiheimālie
November 25, 1835: Princess Harriet Keōpūolani Nāhiʻenaʻena was married to High Chief William Pitt Leleiohoku
December 5, 1828: Princess Laura Kanaholo Kōnia was married to High Chief Abner Kuhoʻoheiheipahu Pākī
June 19, 1856: King Kamehameha IV was married to Emma Rooke
^ “Royal Weddings at Westminster Abbey”. Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
^ “BBC ON THIS DAY | 14 | 1973: Crowds cheer marriage of Princess Anne”. BBC News. 14 November 1973. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ “BBC ON THIS DAY | 23 | 1986: Prince Andrew weds Sarah Ferguson”. BBC News. 1974-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ “The Royal Wedding”. Officialroyalwedding2011.org. 2011-04-26. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ a b “Ten Royal Weddings to Remember | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine”. Smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ “Special Report | 1999 | 06/99 | royal wedding | Edward and Sophie begin married life”. BBC News. 1999-06-21. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ Alderson, Andrew (2008-05-17). “Royal wedding: Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly tie the knot”. London: www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ “BBC ON THIS DAY | 9 | 2005: Prince Charles marries Camilla”. BBC News. 2003-04-09. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ “BBC ON THIS DAY | 12 | 1992: Princess Royal remarries”. BBC News. 1988-12-12. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ “Zara Phillips wedding: Ceremony at Edinburgh church”. BBC News. 2011-12-30. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
^ “Ten Royal Weddings to Remember | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine”. Smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ Howarth, Patrick (1987). George VI. (Hutchinson), p.73; “Edward VIII Photographs, Abdication Speech, Chateau de Cande”. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
^ “BBC ON THIS DAY | 12 | 1956: 1956: Prince Rainier marries Grace Kelly”. BBC News. 1988-12-12. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
^ “Kingdom of Thailand celebrates Their Majesties sixty-first royal wedding anniversary”. www.pattayamail.com. 2011-04-11. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
The Royal Weddings Collection – Archived newsreels of British Royal Weddings
Royal wedding footage
Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_royal_weddings&oldid=579568456″
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_royal_weddings


The tradition of American Presidents throwing out the first pitch began with William Howard Taft, our nations 27th President. Shortly after his inauguration Taft was offered season tickets by Washington Senator Owner Thomas Noyes, and a few months later he was at his first game as President.
Having loved the experience Taft was there one year later on opening day to begin a long-standing tradition. Every President since Taft has thrown out an opening day pitch except for Jimmy Carter, although he did throw out the first ball in game 7 of the 79 World Series.
Over the years the tradition had evolved from Presidents throwing the ball from the stands, to having a gaggle of players fight over the Presidents toss. Ronald Reagan was the first President to actually throw from the field and Bill Clinton is credited as the first to make it to home plate on the fly.
Out of all the major sports, baseball is the only one in which the commander-in-chief has become an actual part of, truly emphasizing its place as Americas past time.


Rick has Walkerville Candles that started in December 1/ 2011.
Rick started out making his products as Christmas gifts and for his own use. His items were well received and the rest is history. Rick ships products across Canada und the USA. The irems are still made in small batches.


Sean Munger has authored a fantastic historic zombie novel Zombies of Byzantium, which places the zombie plague into the 8th century — the rule of the Roman Empire. The discussion is truly amazing.
Leave a comment here and on iTunes if you would be so kind.
If you would like to leave feedback, voicemail, or send a review to be played on the show, you can upload it on the Contact page. Or call the fancy voicemail line! 206-337-5096


Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Cassell (May 28, 2002)
7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
Editorial opinion of the Second World War is well documented that new history is usually added to a large extent on the value of the great untapped sources or personal experience to base its tracks drawing the female portrait ron lemen. The Second World War in the West is the exception to the rule drawing the female portrait ron lemen. Charles Messenger adheres to the conventional wisdom about the causes of the war of 1939-1945 - the Treaty of Versailles, for example - and his analysis of the major conflicts and turning points are a few dissenters. When he scores a lot, but one way to create attention between details and simplicity of control, a vivid picture of the extent of the war in the four major stages in Europe - in northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle East and the Third Empire and the East. Messenger clarity enhanced characterized by excellent design, but pride of place must go to the timeline, maps and brief biographies. Many stories are important to themselves, perform week after week, to give the war, but a simple timeline stop Messenger combine seemingly disparate events in Europe that many complete books. The 21 maps, some of which are almost in 3D, are small works of art and the set complete, we get a brief summary of what were the great public campaigns on both sides in. If you already have a dedicated library of military history can they probably give to miss this book. But if you are new to the subject and for a comprehensive, understandable introduction to one of the most important events of the 20th Messenger century and seeks your man - John Crace, Amazon.co.uk - This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Tags: The Second World War in the West (9780304359851) Charles Messenger , tutorials, pdf, ebook, torrent, downloads, rapidshare, filesonic, hotfile, megaupload, fileserve


During the second world war, the Clubhouse was moved to a new location right next to the lawn bowling club. It was run by concessionaires of which the most famous was Bessy Reeves who did a superb job and was well and still is well thought of by everyone.
The first president was Doc Rellis. Then, in 1964, Marcel Lalonde had the first pro shop on a small corner of the verandah of the old Clubhouse then known as the ‘shack’.
The new Clubhouse was constructed in 1969. The land and building owned by the City of St.Lambert from whom they rent. The whole course in now on this side of the tracks. In 1931 the first tee was on L’Espérance then the 9th green was where the arena is today and part of the course was located on Oak Street.


Pump Me Up Party
Friday, February 22 from 8-11 p.m.
The Pump Me Up party is SOLD OUT.
At this special event presented by Washington City Paper and the Corcoran Contemporaries, celebrate Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 80s with exhibition curator Roger Gastman and DJ Henry Rollins. Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s is the first exhibition to explore the thriving underground of Washington, D.C., during the 1980s, giving visual form to the raucous energy of graffiti, Go-Go music, and a world-renowned punk and hardcore scene.
Must be 21+ to attend. Please drink responsibly; over-intoxication will not be tolerated.
Although the Pump Me Up party is sold out, you can still register for these public programs:
Curator's Talk: Roger Gastman, February 27, 7 p.m.
The Legacy of Globe, March 6, 6:30 p.m.
Bustin' Loose: Stories from D.C.'s Underground Music Scenes, March 12, 7 p.m.
Go-Go Music: The History and Evolution of DC's Legendary Beat, March 18, 7 p.m.
DIY DC, March 28, 7 p.m.
Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s is organized by Roger Gastman and the Corcoran Gallery of Art and made possible through the support of Scion and the 9:30 Club. Washington City Paper is the official media sponsor. Curatorial assistance provided by Iley Brown, Caleb Neelon, Joseph Pattisall.
The Pump Me Up Party is supported by Todd Gray's Muse at the Corcoran, Port City Brewing Company, and Chandon.


The origins of Our Lady of Health parish began in 1940 when the children from the Mesquite area in Las Cruces were in need of receiving religious education. Doña Teofila Lopez, Carmen Contreras, Cuca Muñoz and a few other women were teaching catechism and religious education in Doña Teofila's home. As the city began to grow, the home became too small for the religious classes being held there, so they saw a need for a larger building in which to hold their religious education classes and Sunday Mass.
In 1953 to 1954, father David Kirgan, pastor of Saint Genevieve's church, took a neighborhood survey to determine if the North Mesquite area was in need of a chapel or a community hall. The people first wanted to build a hall because their main priority was a place to give the children religious education. This resulted in a hall being built in 1954. Meanwhile, Father Kirgan obtained Primitivo Cardón's permission to use the Montezuma dance hall for Sunday Mass. The dance hall would be decorated with floral arrangements and a table and a Franciscan priest from the old Visitation Convent gave Mass.
On August 25, 1956, the Bishop of El Paso, S.M. Metzger ordered that the mission of Our Lady of Health be established independently and separately from St. Genevieve in order to better serve the faithful Spanish speaking community. The Bishop was in need of Spanish speaking priest so at his request Father Jose Saez came from Spain. Fr. Jose was assigned to St. Genevieve as associate pastor, and then later he became the administrator of Our Lady of Health Church. On October 13 1956, Bishop Metzger blessed the small chapel hall and the surrounding area of the mission and elevated it to the category of a Parish. Father Saez worked tirelessly to improve the building and facilities.
The history of the dedication of the mission, and later parish of Our Lady of Health is as follows: Fr. Jose had made a promise that he would dedicate the first mission in which he served to the Virgin of his home town, Rotova, Valencia, Spain, where the Virgen of Health represents an ancient devotion which originated in a monastery of the religious order of St. Gerome in Rotova. God has performed many miracles in and around this monastery. For this reason Fr. Jose bid the famed sculptors of Valencia, Spain to create a copy of the original statue of Our Lady Of Health for this church. He placed the statue in the first humble mission and today it is located in a niche in the wall to the right as one enters the new church.The Parish began to grow thanks to enthusiastic parishioners, who began with verbena fiestas and food sales which transformed the small hall into a church, and allowed the purchase of a house which served as the rectory and priests' home.
Father Jose returned to Spain in October of 1960. He was replaced by Father Vicente Morera, who had been his acting assistant. Father Vicente was substituted by Father John Osikiwshi in July 1962.and in March of 1964 Father Arnold H. Finochieto was named pastor. Father Arnold constructed a new rectory, extending the original church and adding a sacristy and a small hall for the children. Fr. Richard P. Lynch was assigned to take the place of Father Arnold. Fr. Richard improved the church with a new roof and had the parking lot paved. When Father Richard left Father Joaquin Resma took his place.
The Diocese of Las Cruces was established in 1981 under the new Bishop, Ricardo Ramirez. Father
Joaquin Resma died as pastor in Las Cruces in May of 1983, his substitute was his brother, Father Luis Resma. The two brothers were from the Philippines, and were members of the international brotherhood of Magicians. They worked very well with young children and youth. Father Paulus Kao, came in 1985, he was originally from China and completed his formation as priest in Valencia's seminary, he is remembered for having a very well organized CCD program.
In October of 1988, the Augustinian Recollects, represented by Spaniards Father Narciso Rivera as pastor and Father Antonio Martine as assistant pastor, took possession of the parish. On Monday, October 8, 1990 the church caught fire, parishioners believed it was a case of arson. Masses were held in the parish hall for the next eight months. The church was remodeled with the insurance payments and the Diocese's permission. The remodeling included a new sanctuary floor, classrooms for CCD, a new kitchen, and a small sacristy. The first Mass in the remodeled church was held on July 20, 1991. The church soon became too small for the growing community, and soon a new church was needed. Fr. Narciso gathered opinions from the parishioners, the majority of them wanted a new, larger church, and so the meetings and permits for construction were started. Bishop R. Ramirez held the official ceremony to begin construction on December 19, 1993 and in May of 1996 he blessed the church, accompanied by many religious and diocesan priests. The solemn dedication was held on May 10, 1998. The architect of our new church was Mr. Lorenzo Aguilar. Fr. Narciso was the soul of the construction, he was always accompanied by the finance committee the maintenance department and the majority of the parishioners who worked very hard with bingos, food sales, raffles, and donations, to make real a wonderful dream. Nowadays, Our Lady of Health Church is one of the most beautiful and admirable churches in New Mexico, and is considered a main attraction in the monuments route in NM.
The old church was converted into a spacious parish hall with facilities for catechism, confirmation classes, meetings and community celebrations. Around this time bingo was cancelled. On September 17,2000, Fr. Narciso Rivera was substituted by Father Ricardo Hinojal, OAR., and has been assisted by Fr. Dionisio Gutierrez, Fr. Andres Alava, Fr. Francisco Oviedo, Fr. Miguel Echeverria, Fr. Jose Luis Garayoa, and Fr. Jesus A. Martinez de Espronceda, all belonging to the order of Augustinian Recollects.
In early 2016, due to a shortage of priests and the advanced age and declining health of their priests, the Superiors of the Order of Augustinian Recollects decided to return the parish to the care of the Diocese of Las Cruces. The Augustinians in charge of the parish at the time were Fr. Ricardo Hinojal and Father Andres Alava.
Bishop Oscar Cantú appointed Fr. Ruben Romero to be the new parochial administrator; he began his role on July 1, 2016. He was briefly assisted by Fr. Francisco Díaz for a few months before Fr. Francisco was assigned to a new parish.
This is the simple and humble history of this parish community. Let it serve as testimony in appreciation, first to God and His Mother, Our Lady of Health, and then to the many people whom with their sacrifices and hard work have made these 50 years a wonderful event and celebration.


Stout Textiles is an interior furnishings company that designs and distributes fabric, trimmings, and wallpapers.
They were founded in 1927 by brothers Charles and Harry Stout. Four generations later, the company is still in family hands and is located only a few minutes from its original birthplace of Philadelphia. It began as an upholstery supply shop during the 20th century in center city Philadelphia but quickly changed is offerings to appeal to the rapid rise of interior decorating.
Stout textiles offers upholstery fabrics, outdoor fabrics, industrial fabrics, drapery fabrics, and trims and tapes.
Stout Textiles are chosen for their durability, structural integrity, and protection against external elements. They offer a visually appealing and versatile option for applications such as upholstery, outdoor cushions, and high-end design, while also potentially offering sustainability benefits with the use of natural fibers.


Collective history and memory. As a migrant living in Europe I wonder what thoughts and images people have in their two-minutes-silence.
The film has been presented as a moving drawing or painting. Clouds that look like land boarders continually changing form. The aeroplanes chase the clouds, and we follow them with our eyes; a choreography of power structures shaping boarders. The aeroplanes look like the ones that were used in the WWII. I caught them on film a few years ago, by coincidence. The aeroplane movements are combined with the romantic music composed by Vaughn Williams, ‘The Lark Ascending’, which he wrote on the brink of WWI, when he saw the naval ships leaving for France on the coast of Margate in Kent. This piece of music is often considered as British wallpaper. The music and the acrobatics hypnotise us and enhance our empathy, our collective history and memory. It connects past events that shape are lives today.


5 Ways To Inject Art Deco Into Your Home
The Art Deco era appeared after World War I and reigned from the 1920’s until the 1940’s where it diminished after World War II. It brought about bold colours, geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation (think Gatsby), to which all was associated with wealth and glamour. Here’s a few ways to put a little Art Deco into your home.
1. Go geo
Geometric prints were all the rage in this era – the bolder you were with it the more you were in fashion. Work with printed wallpaper for a wow factor!
Image // Pinterest
2. Ornate & interesting
Art Deco was all about the detail. Whether it was an ornate door handle or candle stick on the mantle piece, or a decadent chrome mirror on the wall, the over-use of these objects proved ones wealth after the frugality of the war.
Image // Cinema Style
3. Black & colour
Black and white were often used as a base colour during this period, and paired with pops of colour like red and green with accent colours in gold and chrome.
Image // Motehistorie
4. Think like an Egyptian
When travel became more common after the ’20s, influences from Africa, in particular Egypt, spread to the West with hieroglyphics and sphinxes appearing on fabrics and ornaments for the home.
Image // Interiors by Studiom
5. Lacquered wood & velour
Wooden furniture always had a high gloss finish and chairs and sofas were furnished in a velour fabric for a luxurious feel.
Image // Etsy


In memory of our founder, John Fales
John Fales, a proud marine at birth, began life in New York, in 1940. He was always a bit of a hell raiser. Having been kicked out of catholic high school prior to his graduation John decided to officially join the U.S. Marine Corps. During basic training in Paris Island, he graduated with his G.E.D. before his class mates finished high school in New York.
Fales served in the corps in Beirut and Vietnam until his retirement on disability in 1966. His decorations include Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, and South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Following his retirement, John earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint John’s University, New York and Master of Science Degree in Education from Hofstra University, New York.
Among the numerous awards John has received are: the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service from The Freedom’s Foundation; Outstanding Handicapped Federal Employee; Blinded Veterans Association’s “Irving Diener Award”; United States President’s Community Service Commendation; Chairman’s Commendation from The President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped; honored by the Vietnam Veterans Civics Counsels as one (1) of Washington D.C.’s Outstanding Vietnam Veterans.
John has been honored by the Gold Star Mothers, Inc. and the Gold Star Wives, Inc.; the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program’s (VVLP) President’s Award; The Military Order of The Purple Heart; The American Legion National Commander’s Public Relation Award; The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation’s Bronze Medallion of The Legion of Honor.
The U.S. Marine Corps also honored one of their own: John was guest of honor at a sunset parade at the Iwo Jima memorial in June 2005.
John and two fellow blinded veterans started the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF) in 1985. John has been the President since its inception. Although Fales and the cofounders achieved success in their careers despite blindness, they realized that many veterans with sensory disabilities did not have, or did not take, the opportunities afforded to them. This led to the creation of the foundation and its three main goals: research, rehabilitation and reemployment. From its inception, the founders determined that the BAVF would not be a substitute for any veterans membership organization. Instead, the BAVF became a focal point and a clearinghouse for research, information dissemination, and educational efforts.
“Sgt. Shaft,” John’s pen name, was created in 1982 when he authored his nationally read column, “Sgt. Shaft.” This moniker combines the name of its creator (a former marine), with his old military title (Scout Sergeant) and the military expression when wronged, “Shafted”. The column closely mirrors Sarge’s wry sense of humor, empathy for the underdog, and his strong love of family, love of country and fellow veterans. The weekly column commenced in the “Stars & Stripes” from 1982 – 1985. It lay dormant until it was reborn in “The Washington Times” in 1991. It is now also featured on this web site, on the archives of military.com and is available on a millions of computer screens.
John Fales is a lifetime member of AMVETS, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the American Legion. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign wars (VFW) Marine Corps League, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the National Press Club.
John has had the honor of addressing a congressional subcommittee regarding technology, specifically as it relates to the sensory disabled.
John joined the ranks of federal retirees in 2006.


The Penn State Thespians was founded in 1897 by Professors Fred Lewis Pattee and John H. Leete, although in a program for The Fair Co-Ed, done in 1921, Pattee gives Leete the credit for providing the spirit of the organization and states that it was Leete who gave the club its name.
In 1898, when the Thespians performed in their first production (The Rivals), there were only three women at the College, and none of them were interested in theatre. So began a tradition; women did not perform in any Thespian show until World War I, when a shortage of men forced the club to cast women in It Pays to Advertise (1919). Women have been in every show since then, but were not allowed to be members of the club until 1953.
In 1972 Penn State Thespians established their Distinguished Alumni Awards. The awards had two categories: Distinguished Service to the Thespians, and Distinguished Contributions to the Performing Arts. The first awards for Distinguished Service of Thespians were given in 1973 to Hummel Fishburn, J. Henry Frizzell, Ray T. Fortunato, and J. Ewing (Sock) Kennedy, among others. At the same time, the Thespians honored former members Gene Kelly, Julius Epstein, Edward Binns, and Donald Taylor for their contributions to the performing arts.
The club has existed from the beginning as a student-run (although closely advised) organization devoted to the performing arts, producing quality performances every year by its member students. It continues today as one of the oldest student organizations on campus, now in its 121st year.
A dramatic association has been formed under the name of ‘Thespians.’ It is to be a permanent organization, new members being elected each year from the lower classes.” -The Free Lance, Nov. 1897
The first Thespians meeting was called to order on October 22, 1897, by our founders, Drs. Fred Lewis Pattee (author of Penn State’s “Alma Mater”) and John H. Leete, both professors at the University. At this meeting, the club acquired its name, Thespians (suggested by Leete), the officers were elected, and the first show was selected. The Rivals was Thespians’ first performance, held in the college chapel of the original Old Main on February 14, 1898. The scenery was borrowed from the Garman Opera House in Bellefonte, and the costumes were rented from a company in Philadelphia. The show was performed at the Garman Opera House a few days later, partially to facilitate the return of the scenery.
Interestingly enough, Dr. Pattee was the head of the Department of English, and Dr. Leete was a professor of Mathematics. Neither had roots in theatre, yet both came together to form Thespians. This tradition continues today, as many of our members are not actively pursuing degrees or careers in theatre.
Musicals did not become standard Thespian faire until 1912, with the production of Popocaterpillar VII. Costumes and rights were secured courtesy of the Cornell Masque.
To generalize our shows and styles, Thespians performed one show per year until 1919. At that time, we began producing one show per semester. Until 1910, our shows were mostly theatrical classics. From 1910 to WWII, we switched to musical comedies. During WWII, farces were presented, primarily for economic reasons. Finally, after the war, Thespians saw a return to musical theatre, which has continued to the present day.
WOMEN IN THEATER - SOCIAL CHANGE
For the first two decades of the Thespians’ existence, the shows were cast exclusively of men, due in no small part to the low numbers of women on campus. Men cross-dressed for female parts and danced in such musical numbers as the “Hula,” “Bunny Wiggle,” “Japanese Glide,” and “Gorilla Hug.”
The sex barrier was broken for a short time in 1918 because so many of Thespians’ members were called to service during World War I. Four women were allowed to be part of the cast of “It Pays to Advertise,” and Margaret Fishburn (’19) landed the first female lead in a production. There was a comment in the program concerning the integration of co-eds into the cast, stating: “The difficult parts. Verily, the war works wonderful changes.” This was, however, only a temporary change. Shows returned to all-male casts at the conclusion of the War.
In 1926, a woman was again permitted to perform onstage for a Thespians variety show. This performance led the way for an all-female chorus in the 1929 production of “H.M.S. Pinafore,” and by 1931, women became commonplace in Thespian productions. Because they were still not permitted to become members of the club, Penn State women formed a sister club, the Masquerettes. The club existed alongside Thespians from 1934 until 1953, when women were finally inducted into Thespians as full-fledged members. As an interesting aside, it wasn’t until the 1991 constitutional revision that women were permitted to serve as president of the club. Despite this regulation, there were three female presidents prior to the change.
In one form or another, Thespians has maintained a Board of Advisors since the very inception of the organization. The major ups and downs of Thespians’ history coincide with changes to this Board, and its history is valuable in understanding our own. Indeed, Drs. Lewis and Pattee are listed as its earliest members. In the early years of the club, the Board functioned as an integral part of Thespians. Because the club’s founders were on this Board, they had a vested interest in the success of the club from the onset. They were involved with club affairs and ensured our initial success as a student organization. From the club’s birth, Thespians had been travelling the east coast by taking their shows on the road. This started out as a relatively simple process, and the club remained largely in Centre County. As we began doing musicals, the casts and equipment necessary began to require much more capital to travel, and destinations were pushed as far away as New York City.
Gradually, debts accrued. The First National Bank of State College was the chief creditor of Thespians, as it became “tradition” to take a note (or add to an existing one) when the club fell on tough financial times. Because the bank’s president, Claude G. Aikens, was a supporter of Thespians, no great pressure was applied for the repayment of the loans. Out of town creditors, however, were not as munificent. Eventually, pressure on both the club and College (there was no University yet) led to the “great audit” of 1926. The audit revealed a debt of $10,205.06 (over $100,000 in today’s money) and assets of only $269.97 (about $3,000 today). This major discrepancy was caused by Thespian’s first financial disaster: taking Wooden Shoes on the road in 1925.
While the organization improved after that first fiasco, the height of our debt would not be reached until 1928, when a financial statement noted liabilities of over $15,000. At this point, the Board of Advisors, then known as the Board of Directors, shifted gears. The College installed a graduate manager to oversee club finances, and the Board held a tight grip on the financial reigns of the club. Throughout the 1930s, the club continued to pay off its debt.
In 1932, however, a new problem was to plague the Thespians. At the time, Thespian shows were performed during commencement weekend at Penn State. An original show, We, the People, was highly resented by four female members of the College’s Board of Trustees. Those women wrote a letter to then-president of the College, Ralph D. Hetzel, complaining of the vulgarity and lack of respect to the flag demonstrated in the show. Dr. Hetzel politely informed the women that he had no control over student groups and that he felt coercion and censorship to be ultimately detrimental to student success. Their concerns, however, were not truly dismissed.
Working through the College’s chain of command, word of the displeasure of the trustees reached Thespians’ Board of Directors. They resolved, among other things, that the Board would appoint a “Production Committee” (currently the Production Staff). The only student representation during this appointment was the Thespian president, and only then as an ex-officio member. Additionally, all scripts and budgets had to be approved by the Board before production started. At this time, the Board had become heavy-handed in all aspects of Thespian production, a far cry from the relative freedom the club experiences today. After a brief bout with financial problems in 1939 (creditors tried to hold the College responsible for Thespians’ remaining debt of $8,000 to no avail), Thespians found themselves amidst another controversy over vulgarity. After our 1942 show, dean Warnock made several suggestions to the College. These included assuming Thespians’ remaining debt and integrating control of the club with the Department of Music. Ultimately, however, these suggestions only resulted in, again, a revised Board of Directors (now the Board of Control). By 1951, the debt of 1928 was finally paid off in full. With that, the final historical “Oops!” was overcome.
Gene Kelly Participated in three shows for 1929-1930 before transferring to Pitt.
Julius Epstein Wrote lyrics for Thespians and went on to write more than 30 screen plays, including “Casablanca.”
Oliver Smith Built sets for Thespians. Won Tony Awards for stage settings on Broadway productions of Brigadoon, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, and Hello Dolly.
Carrie Fishbein Robbins Performed as “Mammy Yocum” in Lil’ Abner with Thespians. Won a Tony Award for her costume design of Grease.
Jonathan Frakes Started classes at Pennsylvania State University, enrolling as a psychology major. The next summer, he worked as an usher for the local theater and observed his peers thoroughly enjoying acting. He was motivated to switch his major to theater arts and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1974. He performed with Thespians and is known for his role as Commander William Riker in “Star Trek: Next Generation” and subsequent spin-offs.
Mary Lou Belli Played in the Fantasticks with The Penn State Thespians in 1975/76 and is now an Emmy award-winning director. Mary Lou Belli who has also earned multiple honors for her work in television and theatre.


Preserving & Sharing our Nebraska History
Each campus preserves the unique history of the University of Nebraska and offers unique collections that support the research needs of each campus and interests of the state of Nebraska. Our reading rooms are open to the public.
Search All Nebraska Archives
To search for archival and manuscript collections across all University of Nebraska campus locations, enter your search below or visit Nebraska Archives Online.
Calvin T. Ryan Library
UNK Archives holds significant primary and secondary materials that paint a picture of the Great Plains and settlement of the West.
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
The University Libraries Archives and Special Collections produces, curates, and maintains the notable Willa Cather Archive.
McGoogan Library of Medicine
The Nebraska Collection preserves the history of the health sciences in the state and contains books, journals, and archival materials from the mid-19th to the late 20th centuries.
Schmid Law Library
Schmid Law Library maintains the collection of University of Nebraska College of Law alumni available for research purposes only.


Kermanshah Province or Kermanshahan
(In Kurdish: Parzegai Kermashan) With an area of 2 square kilometers, it is the 17th largest province in Iran. It is bounded on the north by Kurdistan, on the south by Lorestan and Ilam, on the east by Hamedan and on the west by Iraq. The capital of Kermanshah province is the city of Kermanshah. According to the latest changes, Kermanshah province consists of 14 counties, 31 cities, 31 section and 86 villages with a population of 1,945,227.
Why Bisotun historical and cultural complex?
The carved stone of Darius in Bisotun historical and cultural complex is one of the list of World Heritage Sites in Iran.
Bisotun historical and cultural complex despite numerous monuments such as the Statue of Hercules II, relief of Mehrdad II, Farhad Trash, Bisotun Bridge, Shah Abbasi Caravansary, Shahi Road and … are considered to be one of the most important ancient archeological sites in Iran.
The plain of Bisotun and its sacred mountain have long been important among people, and the kings have rebelled in various territories from its vicinity.
There are caves on Mount Bisotun that carry signs of human presence since the Paleolithic.
There are about 28 national registered artifacts in Bisotun historical and cultural complex, and 170 identified sites in the area, about 100 of which are listed in the National and Historical Monuments List. An area that has consistently and continuously housed archaeological artifacts from our pre-historic times to the 20th century. The most important part of the historic and cultural site of Bisotun, the inscription and stone is the prominent Darius Achaemenid inscription chosen on July 13, 2006 at the UNESCO World Heritage List No. 1222 at the UNESCO Summit. It was the eighth monument in Iran to be listed and was recognized as a valuable structure by world standards. The whole of this historical, natural and cultural site was also listed on the Iranian National Heritage List on 6 October 2002 with number 6463.
Temple of Anahita, Kangavar
Temple of Anahita is considered to be the largest integrated stone structure of Iran and is numbered 31 in the national list of Iranian monuments in 1310. As time goes on and extensive excavations of the temple grounds reveal that this hidden structure in the soil, after Persepolis, is the largest historical stone building in Iran.
Anahita is the goddess of water and the keeper of the Farvahar (Ahoura Mazda, the Zoroastrian’s God) symbol, the god of abundance and righteousness, the god of wind and rain, the fountain and the mire, the rain and the cloud. The stories tell of a goddess who came to the clouds and gave pure water to the people.
According to the most famous and precise research done, the date of construction of this stone building dates back to the Achaemenid era. Later in the Parthian era, party architects continued to build it, and during the Sassanid era the building was completed, and remains of the Seljuk era municipal installations were found in the temple area.
What we know as Taq-e Bostan is a collection of Sassanid petroglyphs and inscriptions located in the Taq-e Bostan neighborhood in the northwest of Kermanshah. The site dates back to the third century AD and is regarded as one of the most valuable monuments in Iran and even in the world. Khosrow Parviz’s coronation, Ardashir II’s coronation, Shahpour’s II and III coronation, and some inscriptions or inscriptions on the Pahlavi line, boar hunting by horsemen and music playing with harp instruments, etc. are some of the motifs in this collection.
The magnificence of this mountain, and the prominent roles that were carved with such elegance and precision at the time, will amaze you. The presence of a lake in the space of this historic place also doubles its beauty and doubles the pleasure of visiting.
Because of its mountains and springs, it has long been a hub for hunting and displaying the power of kings, and is still welcomed by tourists today because of its attractive climate. Locals refer to this place as the coolest place in the city and a place to escape the summer heat and mingle there in the hot seasons.
Dokan-e-Davood Rock Tomb
This tomb is located at the beginning of Anzal Road (a village of the same name in the central part of Sar-e-Pol Zahab) and about 100 meters from the main road of Kermanshah to Sar-e Pol-Zahab.
The rock tomb is different from the tomb and is a kind of rock architecture. The cemetery is a place on the mountain where people’s bodies were found to be broken down by birds and animals, but the tomb was a tomb that was shaped like a room to bury one or more people in the mountains, hills, or rocks, and enough space to sit, put things in and hold the ceremony.
The tombs of Iranian crypts can be attributed to three different eras: The Median, Achaemenian, and post-Achaemenian era. Investigations have found no pre-Median rifts in Iran except for a rocky hill in Hasanloo Hill, but numerous pre-Median rifts have been discovered in Turkey around Lake Van (Urartu Influence Area). Therefore, it can be concluded that the source is more related to the architecture of the overtures than to the Assyrian origin.
Unlike the Medes, Achaemenid wolves have the same shape and design as the cross, varying from 2 to 9 graves. The entrance to the well is at the intersection of the two crosses and there are columns on the horizontal line. The upper part generally has a prominent role and the lower part has no decoration. The first cave of Darius the Great and the last cave of the Achaemenid belong to Darius III, whose carving remains unfinished.
Various theories have been put forward about the age of this cave, which is known among the locals as the Kal Davood (Kal Davoo) and the shop of David. Some believe that the tomb belongs to the Median era, and that Deacon David is also the tomb of the last Median king, Ishtuvigo, who was deposed by Cyrus the Great, but new research has revealed that this tomb belongs to the Achaemenid era. Its strong prominence probably dates back to the Seleucid era
The National Archaeological Record, numbered 152 in 1310, is 12 meters above the ground, making it a little difficult to access.
Taq-e Gara, also known as the Sweet Arch, is one of the ancient monuments of Kermanshah province, located 15 kilometers from Sarpol Zahab city on the way to Kermanshah to Sarpol Zahab, next to an ancient paving road that connects the Iranian plateau to Mesopotamia.
The root of the archaic word goes back to the term “Grave tribe”. This tribe belongs to the Lak and Lor group of languages that have taken over the western border of Iran.
Some archaeologists attribute this construction to the Parthian era and others to the Sassanid era. But research indicates that it was built in the late Sassanid era and likely during the reign of Khosrow II. The building has no written stone and only two marks left from the Parthians remain.
Its functions include “Royal Family Resorts”, “Royal Palace”, “Caravan Road”, “Victory Monument” and “Border Crossing”.
Ishac vand Rock Tombs
Ishac vand Rock Tombs or Sakavand, three carved springs in the heart of the mountain dating back to Median era, are located 25 kilometers southwest of Hersin in Kermanshah province.
In our ancient ancestors’ beliefs, the lifeless body had no value and was unclean. Thus, the manner in which the corpse was destroyed was not of much importance, and the only essential rule for the burial of the underworld was that their corpse would not contaminate the living place. Under the same belief, the rocks and hills that were far from the settlements were chosen for burial. These burials were carried out in a variety of ways, resulting in the preservation of numerous ancient buildings such as crevices and crypts in the land.
The Ishac vand belong to the Median era, but there is controversy among archaeologists about the age of these sources, the most prominent of them being that of the German Iranian theologian Ernest Emil Hertzfeldt.
Hertzfeldt refers to the Middle Gordium as being the Magi’s Guatemala (False Brigade) and believes that the name Seqvand was assigned to Darius I by the site of the murder of Darius I, the Sakvand Castle, in connection with the site of the Magi’s killing.
Tekyeh Moaven al-molk
The background of the construction of Takayeh’s deputy traces back to the Qajar era, 114 years ago. The building is located on Haddad Adil Street in Kermanshah, where the ancients still know this neighborhood as its old name, Abshuran. The leaning building is now in a hollow and you will need to go a few steps to enter it.
The complex consists of three main sections of Husseiniyeh, Zainabiyeh and Abbasieh, and its beautiful tile work is unique in the world.
In 1281 AH (1941), Hossein Khan Mu’in al-Ra’a ya (grandfather of Rahim Mo’ini Kermanshahi, contemporary poet) built a section of Hosseinayeh for the purpose of holding Ta’ziyeh and Imam Hossein rituals in Kermanshah.
In 1288, a group of constitutionalists tore down this exquisite monument, which shone like a gem in western Iran, destroying it and burning it. After these incidents, as well as the assassination of Hossein Khan Mo’in al-Raya, reconstruction of the temple was delayed for a long time. Finally, in 1320, Mirza Hassan Khan, the deputy of Husseiniyah, bought it from his brothers and began to repair it.
In 1326, Hassan Khan purchased the adjacent building of Husseiniyeh and built parts of Zainabiyeh and Abbasieh so that Reliance could respond to the mourners. The same year, the deputy devoted himself to religious ceremonies and mourning for the infallible Imams. He sent 20 copies of the endowment to the scholars of Najaf, Qom, and Kermanshah as well as a certain family. The deputy died in the year 1327, and was buried in Zaynabiyeh subdivision of the deputy.
Hassan Khan’s late life began with the change of Qajar rule to Pahlavi, as well as his financial situation, during which the building was destroyed. Sayyed Mohammad Meibodi and Mr. Sheikh Mohammad Hadi Jalili proposed to turn the Abbasiyeh district into a school of Islamic sciences in order to avoid damaging the building so that it could benefit from the repair. Since then, Abbasiyeh has remained a school for 30 years.
In 1352, Tekyeh Moaven al-molk was handed over to the Bureau of Culture and Art of the time.
The Tekyeh Biglarbeygi, dating back to the Qajar era, was created by a person named Abdullah Khan called Beiglerbigi. In 2004, a museum of handwriting and books was opened on the Tekyeh Biglarbeygi. The museum houses papers, documents, historical documents and manuscripts and is open to visitors. In addition, the Zagros Paleolithic Museum is the only Paleolithic Museum in the Middle East, which is part of Tekyeh.
Tekyeh Biglarbeygi reliance on the old texture of the city of Kermanshah is located on Modarres Street in front of the Jame Mosque. Construction of this auxiliary was begun in 1309 AH by the late Khadem al-Hussein Abdullah Khan Farashbashi, known as the great and influential authority of Kermanshah during the Qajar period, and its construction was completed in 1315 AH, 6 years later. Also plaster decorations and mirror work were completed in 1326 AH.
The architectural type of this ancillary is related to the Qajar period and is crescent-like. On the west side, the Zandieh architecture was used in the form of an octagon, and was the site of Abdullah Khan’s court, as well as the residence of his brothers and sons.
The most important part of relying on the Tekyeh Biglarbeygi is the western part and the dome of the Husseiniyah is located there. It consists of a relatively large porch that leans into the courtyard through a three-step staircase of stone. There are two relatively tall wooden columns and two columns in this section. The surface of each of these columns is covered with plaster. Also their headstones are similar to those of Byzantine headstones, which are decorated with floral and plant stucco. The roof of the porch also has inlay decorations. One can access the main space of Husseiniyah through a large wooden door with a beautiful sash. Hosseinieh is a two-storey space with six rooms built on each floor.
The roof of the Husseiniyah is dome-covered and the exterior of the roof and its interior are decorated with beautiful mirrors. In each of the earrings, there is a crescent-shaped window with a mirror reflecting the sentences (La Elaha elallah, Muhammad Rasulullah) and (Ali Waliullah) which means there is no God just Allah and Mohammad is the messenger of the God and Ali is representative of God. Other decorations in Hosseinieh’s space include plaster columns, geometric patterns, plant motifs, and candlesticks.
This relic has been registered in the National List of Works in December 1997, No. 1797. It acquired its cultural heritage in 2001 and was restored in 2002 and 2003 and opened in 2004 as a museum of script and book. In 2008, the Zagros Paleolithic Museum was inaugurated on the southern side by the Cultural Heritage.
Kermanshah Mountain Park in the north of Kermanshah and close to Taq Bostan Historical Complex is of particular importance in this city. The park is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the west of the country, with two beautiful waterfalls and beautiful nights with pleasant lighting from Kermanshah tourist spots.
The area was favored by the Sassanid kings due to its natural climate and temperate, and it was a royal sanctuary and hunting ground, on both sides of the Grand Arch of Taq-e Bostan, the scene of the Sassanid king’s carving.
Hiking, cycling and kites are among the park’s most popular activities. The 2 waterfalls in the park cause many people to hold family picnics in the area. There are also facilities such as children’s playgrounds and restaurants. The mountain park is also called Kermanshah Roof, because from the north of the park you will see a 360-degree view of the city.
The Sarab Sahneh, also known as the Darband Sahneh, is located in the northern part of the city and is one of the most favorable weather areas in the city. The beautiful waterfalls, scenic nature and the wonderful climate of the area have made it a perfect destination for travelers and tourists alike. The Sarab Sahneh variety of lush trees. The source of the waterfall is called the Chahar Cheshmeh located in the northern part of the waterfall and in a not too detached time a small waterfall formed. Nowadays, this drought is known as dried Waterfall.
The historical background of Darband city goes back to pre-Islamic times. The existence of graveyards in the mountains of this region affirms its antiquity. Sarab Sahneh is one of the most spectacular places in Kermanshah in the northern part of Darband city. Current waters in the area are blessed with four springs in the northern part of the enclosure. The interconnectedness of the Chahar Springs in the Darband waterfall can be seen. Thanks to the presence of this water, many peoples and plains are supplied around the Sarab Sahneh.
Sarab Darband is one of the main resorts of the city’s residents. In spring and summer, families complete their enjoyment by camping in the shade of the trees.
Translated by: Alireza Pedarpour


Presented here is, in broad strokes, the history of the Three Kingdoms of the Imperium Teutones - Neustria, Austrasia, and Swabia - and the world in which they reside.
In elder days, the elven race ventured forth from their misty isles, and settled far across the land, from the temperate shores of the north sea to the southern jungles of Crotalia, and to the Silberschild mountains in the east. There they found the first of the dwarves, at that time workers in bronze, and much trade was had. But the elves were ever a fractious folk, and their mainland territories fragmented into a patchwork of baronies and villages. It was during this period that man emerged from the ice-wastes of the north and settled in Nordmar, and the dwarves reported the first skirmishes with the beastmen of the kingdom of Leng in the East. Many years passed, and the elves continued their gradual and patchwork expansion south into the Crotalus, eventually prompting a counter-invasion by the scalyfolk who there reside. Many an elf was slain, and the geistbaum groves grew. In time the elves organized themselves beneath a strong leader, the warrior-mage Aeron the Fair, and drove the lizardmen back. Aeron maintained power for the rest of his considerable lifespan, and the realm of the mainland elves was at peace.
These years were less than peaceful for the dwarves, however, who found themselves beleaguered by fell creatures fleeing things even more terrible in the East. Many holdfasts were abandoned, and some dwarves began a migration to the West, to the Bleiburg Highlands. This was also the era of the first meeting of dwarf and man, as Norse traders and raiders explored the coasts of the Silbermeer and up the River Rune. Reactions were mixed, but the dwarven holds were largely impregnable to the poorly-organized and poorly-armed raiders, and so trade of furs for metalwork was largely the order of the day, except when migrants and refugees were encountered.
The elven tree-villages, however, were found to be consistently easy targets, and the Northmen pillaged them with impunity for a time before Aeron drove them back into the sea with powers mundane and magical. Men remained few on the continent until the elven empire was thrown into tumult as a result of Aeron's death. Though Aeron was nearing the end of his natural lifespan, some scholars believe that he was assassinated by a conspiracy of powerful mages who found his heir, Elberon, more pliable and amenable to their views on necromancy and blacker magics, which were strictly forbidden under Aeron's rule. The wars of the elvish succession took many years, and during this time man once again expanded his territories in the south. The southlanders abandoned their nomadic roots and founded such cities as Konigsport, Gothenheim, and Bad Rotenburg in the valley of the Rune. In time the Northmen raided them as well, but the southlanders had acquired horses from the elves and steel from the dwarves, and under the leadership of Gundwulf the Short, the Northmen were soundly defeated at the battle of Konigsport. Gundwulf was subsequently named King of the Teutons, as the united peoples of the southlands named themselves.
But his kingship was a short one, for though it had taken fifty years and many dark deeds, the wars of the elvish succession were coming to an end, and Elberon claimed the lands of the Teutons for reconquest into his empire. Lacking the arcana of the elves, Gundwulf's armies were routed, his lands captured, and mankind subjected to the now-harsh, even bloodthirsty rule of the decadent and fallen elves. Not even time could release them, for Elberon had insulated himself from old age through vampirism, and had jovially consumed the conspirators who had aided his rise to power. The chains of feudalism were forged wit blood bonds, terrible oaths, and the vampiric gaze, from the Seven Undying Dukes down to the vampiric knightly Order of the Sanguine Rose who treated the southmen as chattel and food. The dwarven bastions proved harder to take than the lands of man, until in a rage Elberon released thirteen great wyrms, captured in the Crotalian jungles with sorcery and promises of great treasure, into the Silberschild mountains. These all but drove the dwarves from their ancestral homes, settling in the ruins to spawn and sleep, and the Silberschilds gained the epithet "Mountains of Mourning" in dwarven epic poetry thereafter. The elves went so far as to march an undead army across the Beastlands to Leng, where their drive for conquest was finally ground to a gruesome stalemate by that even more ancient and vile sorcerous empire.
It is unknown how many years passed during Elberon's reign, or Die Schwarze Auge as it is now called. What is known is that the elves committed atrocities so foul that their god, Ammonar, wept for the sins of His beloved and firstborn children, and in time turned His face away from them and towards mankind, bestowing his gifts upon a handful of prophets. Elberon made a sport of hunting these prophets and using them as fuel for dark rituals, but in time one of these blessed men, one Theudald the Pious, a monk at the monastery of Blenheim, survived to lead a successful rebellion against the elves and liberated Gothenheim. This spurred several other rebellions throughout human territory, the most successful of which were led by Laudus the Large and Grimoald One-Eye, both of whom claimed descent from Gundwulf to legitimate their claim to rulership. The allied forces of man were brought to battle by Elberon's host at the siege of Gothenheim, where elven sorcery blotted the sun from the sky for a full week and all was thought lost. When Elberon himself entered the fray on the seventh day of darkness, though, Theudald performed a miracle and restored light to the sky, destroying the elven vampire-lord utterly and breaking his host. The elves were driven back into the Schwartzwald, and much new territory was claimed in the following crusade. A threefold kingdom was established, with the line of Theudald ruling foremost as Holy Emperors of the Sudetenland and Neustria from their capital in the sacred city of Gothenheim, the line of Grimoald ruling Austrasia from the academy towers of Bad Rotenburg, and the line of Laudus ruling the coastal kingdom of Swabia from Konigsport.
As time passed, however, it became apparent that Ammonar's favors to Theudald were more extensive than initially thought - he and his line were blessed with extreme longevity and excellent health in addition to their clerical capabilities. As a result, the reign of Emperor Theudald has continued for some 250 years since the victory at Gothenheim. During this time, the church of Ammonar has largely ousted the pagan Norse religions, and several knightly orders have risen to prominence, including the Order of the Silver Thorn and the Order of Cleansing Flame. Theudald's descendants are sizable in number and hold significant lands in the vicinity of Gothenheim. Grimoald lived to an extremely old age before disappearing under mysterious circumstances, and Austrasia has largely been managed by the Council of Archmages of the Rotenburg Academy since. This is a source of some friction both with the populace and the church, as neither has much tolerance for witches after the long abuses of the elves, but no force has yet been mustered to break the council's hold. If any resistance were to arise from within Austrasia, it would be from Mannerheim or Zugenhof, in the Howling Hills to the East, fortresses of warrior princes both. Swabia has remained under the rule of Laudus's lineage, warrior and merchant kings after the style of the Northmen with whom they interact regularly. The dwarves of Blieburg owe fealty to the Swabian monarchs, though they regularly send their youths on crusades to Zugenhof and the Silberschilds through Austrasian territory to reclaim their ancestral homelands. The elves, for their part, have largely gone into hiding within human lands - the Order of Cleansing Flame makes hunting elven covens and conspiracies a major part of their business, but the covens often take refuge beneath the aegis of the Rotenburg Academy. The peasants still bear much dislike and superstition with regard to the elves - it is custom to never meet an elf's gaze, to arrange to speak with them only in daylight in a public place, and to never invite one into your house. Most are treated with fear and mistrust, though rarely outright violence (except from the Order).
Theudald's longevity is not without limit, however, and he has visibly aged over the last thirty years. It is believed that his time is soon, and there is much dispute over who will rule in his stead. His seven sons claim that they clearly possess the divine right to rule, while the church claims the sole power to assign the title of holy emperor and the nobles not of Theudald's blood argue for a return to the old Northman tradition of the althing and the election of an emperor, as was done with Gundwulf. Theudald has yet to voice an opinion on this weighty matter; perhaps he is waiting for a divine revelation, or perhaps he is watching the enemies surrounding the borders of his empire - the elven lich lords to the south, the hordes of Leng to the east, and the Norsemen all eye the empire in distress like hounds circling a bleeding bear. Worse still, there are poor omens in the sky, and the Misty Isles of the Fey have again appeared off the cost of Bleiburg, for the first time in living memory, for reasons unknown. There are rumors that the Crotalons are advancing into the southern Schwartzwald, and the Norsemen whisper in hushed voices that whatever man fled from in the furthest north in the first days is coming in pursuit. Truly, it is a time of trepidation and uncertainty.
But all uncertain times are fraught with opportunity for those willing to accept risk... And so, enter the PCs, in the rural farming village of Steinwenden...