Comacchio, is the most original and fascinating historic town in the Po Delta. Heir to ancient Spina, fought over by Ferrara and Ravenna, Popes and Emperors for centuries, its origins go far back: it rose up on 13 islets at the dawn of the Middle Ages and founded its urban and economic development exclusively on the water. Fishing, fish-breeding in the lagoon and producing salt were the source of its prosperity and also of its setbacks as they brought it into conflict with Venice. Today, Comacchio still boasts unique, intact architectural features; a town of canals, palaces and monumental bridges, inhabited by people with a strong sense of identity who are proud of their origins.

 

Source: www.ferraraterraeacqua.it/en/comacchio/services-and-fair-...

 

She's a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, a girl who just wants to have fun, find out about her true colours.

 

A decade before ‘girl power’ became the war cry of the 90s, Cyndi Lauper called on women everywhere to fight for equality whilst embracing their femininity. A singer, songwriter, musician and an actress, the New York native has maintained her steely determination without losing her ability to entertain millions.

 

One might say that Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper ‘burst’ into the world on 22 June 1953, rather than being born into it. One of three children born to Fred and Catrine Lauper, the vivacious child was originally from Brooklyn, New York, but was raised by her mother in Queens following her parents’ divorce in 1958.

 

Growing up during the peak of the civil rights movement and surrounded by the sounds of The Beatles, Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald, Lauper developed an intense love of music from an early age and learned to play guitar at the age of 12.

 

With her mother’s support for her blossoming creativity, the headstrong teen dropped out of high school to perform with a variety of cover bands. However, Lauper soon suffered a major setback which threatened to destroy her musical ambitions.

 

In 1977, the ambitious performer damaged her voice and was told by doctors that she would never be able to sing again. In spite of this damning medical diagnosis, Lauper persevered and sought the help of singing coach Katie Agresta. Her resolve was rewarded and the star has since credited Agresta with the return of her most precious instrument: her vocals.

 

Lauper began performing again and co-founded a band called Blue Angel. With her four octave voice at its forefront, the group found success in 1980, when it released a self titled album with Polydor Records. However, with this victory came one of Lauper’s most difficult setbacks. Following poor album sales, Blue Angel was sued by its manager. The claim left Lauper with no recourse but to file for bankruptcy.

 

The deflated artist had little choice but to work in the retail industry during the day, whilst trying to rebuild her musical career with appearances in her spare time. It was after one such performance at a local club in 1981 that Lauper first met a music manager called David Wolff. The two fell in love and Wolff became the singer’s manager. As their relationship blossomed, so did Lauper’s prospects. With Wolff behind her, she was signed to Portrait Records and began to record an album.

 

Excited by the challenge of creating her own sound, Lauper was determined to write her own songs, but faced a reluctant record label. Portrait had its own conception about the type of music that the new artist was to record and it was only following a ferocious battle that Lauper was able to put her own mark on the music. The result was groundbreaking.

 

In 1983, Lauper released ‘She’s So Unusual’ to rave reviews. Described by Rolling Stone as “really first-rate material”, the album went on attain six-time platinum and double platinum statuses in the US and UK respectively.

 

Lauper became a feminist idol. In addition to legions of fans clamouring to emulate her inimitable dress sense, her videos, such as the raucous clip for the hit, ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’, were constantly played on MTV.

 

Having proven herself a star, Lauper went on to explore a variety of projects. In 1985, she made the first of many charitable contributions, joining celebrities such as Lionel Ritchie and Michael Jackson in the 1985 USA for Africa single, ‘We Are the World’.

 

Lauper’s next move was one that few would have anticipated. With Wolff’s encouragement, she forged a contractual alliance with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), appearing on the wrestling show and even participating in story lines. Even when she was presented with the 1985 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, Lauper was accompanied by WWF’s Hulk Hogan, who called himself her ‘bodyguard’.

 

Lauper’s second album release was ‘True Colours’ (1986). The dedicated artist was much more heavily involved in the follow-up to ‘She’s So Unusual’, co-writing many of the songs, such as the ballad ‘Change of Heart’, which reached number 3 in the US charts.

 

However, despite containing three hit singles and attaining platinum status, ‘True Colours’ was unable to replicate the success of Lauper’s debut album. A telling sign was that the fourth single from the album, entitled ‘Boy Blue’, was the first of the chart princess’s singles to fail to achieve top forty status in the US. Even so, Lauper donated the proceeds of sales for that single to AIDS research.

 

After a 1987 tour called ‘Cyndi: Live in Paris’, Lauper was keen to prove that she was a multifaceted performer. In 1988, she embraced the new challenge of acting, taking on the role of a zany psychic in the comedy, ‘Vibes’ (1988).

 

Unfortunately for the Grammy winner, this venture did not prove successful. Despite boasting a stellar cast, including Jeff Goldblum, the film failed to impress either the critics or the public, grossing less than $2 million in the US box office. Even Lauper’s contributory track for the film, ‘Hole in My Heart (All the Way to China)’ (1985), only reached number 54 on the US charts, although it was very popular in Australia. The song did not feature on the film’s official soundtrack.

 

After a short break from the studio, Lauper’s released ‘A Night to Remember’ (1989). Despite the fact that one song on the album, called ‘I Drove All Night’, did return the pop star to number one in the singles charts, the record’s impact failed to compare to Lauper’s earlier achievements. Disillusioned by her inability to draw the attention she had once commanded, Lauper’s relationship with Wolff suffered. By the end of the year, the two had severed both their personal and professional ties.

 

Lauper would not release another album for almost four years. In the meantime, she lent her iconic status to a number of collaborations. In 1990, she joined an all star line-up to perform at Roger Waters’ concert, ‘The Wall – Live in Berlin’. She also joined her friend, Yoko Ono, in a tribute concert to John Lennon.

 

The performer also took the opportunity to try acting again. Starring as a lounge singer on a mission to identify her boyfriend’s killer, Lauper began filming ‘Off and Running’ (1991). The movie was only released in Europe, seemingly indicating another doomed attempt to break into Hollywood. However, for the 38-year-old, the film marked a new beginning. It was on the set of this endeavour that Lauper met and fell in love with actor, David Thornton. On 24 November 1991, the singer and the Englishman wed in New York.

 

With her personal life blossoming, Lauper turned her attention back to business. After contributing two songs to the 1992 French stage show, ‘Starmania’, one of which earned double platinum status in France, she set her mind to releasing her fourth album.

 

Soul, funk and hip-hop influences filled ‘A Hat Full of Stars’ (1993), allowing the vibrant artist to showcase her diversity. Despite its poor sales, the album, which dealt with difficult issues such as incest and domestic abuse, was critically applauded, Rolling Stone praising the record’s “fresh sound”.

 

Critical acclaim also followed in 1992, as the aspiring thespian finally fulfilled a long term ambition by joining the cast of the sitcom, ‘Mad About You’ (1989). Her portrayal of the quirky Marianne Lugasso earned her an Emmy award and further recurring appearances on the show. For Lauper, the accolade represented acceptance as an actress.

 

Lauper returned to the recording studio in 1996. The result was the upbeat dance record, ‘Sisters of Avalon’ (1996), which sold a respectable one million copies worldwide. With issues such as the conflicts of being a drag queen dominating the album, its main impact was in the gay community, where Lauper was hailed as a heroine.

 

In November 1997, Lauper and Thornton welcomed their son, Declyn Wallace Thornton, into the world. Lauper relished her new role as a mother, flaunting her pregnant belly in the video for the song ‘The Ballad of Cleo and Joe’. However, she refused to allow her two worlds of parent and rocker to conflict, and in fact the proud mother cited Declyn as a major inspiration for her 1998 album, ‘Merry Christmas, Have a Nice Life’. She even included his vocals on the song ‘First Lullaby’.

 

Lauper continued to act, appearing in ‘The Simpsons’ (1989) and independent films such as ‘The Opportunists’ (2000). She also enjoyed touring, joining Cher on her celebrated ‘Do You Believe?’ (1999) and ‘Living Proof’ (2002) tours.

 

The songstress intended to release her sixth studio album in 2001, but the ill-fated project stalled just weeks before its intended release date as Lauper’s record company collapsed. The final result, ‘Shine’ (2004), would only be released in Japan.

 

In fact, it was Lauper’s 2003 studio performances which would form her follow-up to ‘Sisters of Avalon’. ‘At Last’ (2003) was a collection of cover songs including a Grammy nominated version of ‘Unchained Melody’. Whilst gaining mixed reviews, the effort was a commercial hit, selling 4.5 million records and reaching the top 40 in the US and Australia.

 

As Lauper grew into a self-proclaimed ‘hockey mom’, her social conscience never failed her. She continued to champion gay causes as well as headlining a charitable ‘True Colours’ tour in 2007.

 

Always keen to adapt to changing styles and fashions, Lauper stepped onto the dance floor for her 2008 album, ‘Bring Ya to the Brink’. With input from the likes of Basement Jaxx and Scum Frog, praise such as The Guardian’s statement that this was “the album Madonna should have made instead of ‘Hard Candy’” proved Lauper to be an adept chameleon of the arts.

 

The image of a fun loving Cyndi Lauper exploding onto the eighties pop scene is emblazoned onto the hearts and minds of the era of women who heeded her message of freedom and self-expression. Yet, as her audience has matured, Lauper has had to call upon the same tenacity that had helped her overcome financial ruin in order to maintain her star status. Now a mother, philanthropist and revered performer, it can truly be said that she is the Queen of Queens.

 

Abgewählt: Christoph Blocher (SVP), Schweizer Bundesrat 2003–2007.

 

Swiss Parliament Deals Setback to Leader of Far-Right Party

(New York Times, 13.12.2007)

Transplanting : The ideal time to transplant young seedlings is when they are small and there is little danger from setback. This is usually about the time the first true leaves appear above .

 

*SURLY* steamroller complete bike

Blue Lug Custom

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Frame:*SURLY* steamroller

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Handle:*FAIRWEATHER* b903 bullmoose bar (silver)

Wheels:*H PLUS SON* archetype rim x *GRAN COMPE* small track hub

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Saddle:*WTB* siverado

The Ludwig church today is the symbol of the state capital of Saarland and is next to the church of our Lady in Dresden and the Michaelis Church in Hamburg one of the most important baroque churches in Germany. Together with the Ludwig square, the Ludwig church forms a representative, in the composition hardly surpassed ensemble of Baroque buildings north of the Alps. The Ludwig church was commissioned in 1761 by prince Wilhelm Heinrich:

Since it is apparently perceived that the citizenship of Saarbrücken increases daily, so the space in the Lutheran Church is much too small, so I have decided to have built a new church, and and it is my intention such with a capital of thirty thousand guilders in five years to bring about.

This order he gave to the originating from Zerbst in Saxony-Anhalt architect Friedrich Joachim Stengel. On 01 July 1762 finally took place the solemn laying of the cornerstone in Saarbrücken. A first setback suffered the building in 1768, as the patron Prince Wilhelm Heinrich died. Due to the increasingly escalating construction activities he left his son Prince Ludwig an immense mountain of debt, which is why the construction for the first time began to falter. His son Ludwig was it also who gave his name today's Ludwig church and the associated Ludwig square. The building was finally completed in 1775, so that the official consecration on August 25 could be celebrated with a big ceremony. The church in the ground plan forms a Greek cross with axis lengths of 34.2 m and 38.5 m. The Viennese sculptor Francuß Bingh manufactured for the balustrade 28 sand stone figures representing characters from the Old and New Testament.

The west facade of Ludwig church [Image: Wikipedia Userfoto Travel]

However, already a few years after the solemn consecration it came to the first striking changes to the Ludwig church. Prince Ludwig began, i.a., as a result of the French Revolution 1793 to break down anything Baroque and rebuild into Gothic style. By this also the Ludwig Church was affected and he had destroyed the especially for the church cast bells and dismantled many parts of the metal protective equipment, so that the church was subjected to decay.

From 1807 on took place regular maintenance and embellishment work in order to repair the damage suffered in the meantime by the church, which, however, no longer followed the original designs of Stengel. This works finally came to a close in 1887. On October 30 that year, the Ludwig church was reconsecrated in a solemn procession and opened. 1906, the entire building was finally by the provincial conservator of the Rhine Province Prof. Dr. Clemen inspected. This one had the church - unlike its predecessors - restored according to the original idea of Stengel and rebuilt. On 05 November 1911, the already third official consecration of the Ludwig church took place. As Saarbrücken suffered in World War II under a bombardment of the British, the Ludwig church was also not spared and burned out. 1949, the reconstruction was started, but this time they tried to change as little as possible and to focus on the restoration and preservation of the existing building stock.

 

Die Ludwigskirche bildet heute das Wahrzeichen der Landeshauptstadt des Saarlandes und ist neben der Frauenkirche in Dresden und der Michaeliskirche in Hamburg eine der bedeutendsten barocken Kirchenbauten in Deutschland. Zusammen mit dem Ludwigsplatz bildet die Ludwigskirche ein repräsentatives, in der Komposition kaum übertroffenes Ensemble an barocken Bauten nördlich der Alpen. In Auftrag gegeben wurde die Ludwigskirche 1761 durch Fürst Wilhelm Heinrich:

Nachdem man augenscheinlich merket, daß die Saarbrücker Bürgerschaft täglich zunimmt, also der Platz in der lutherischen Kirche viel zu klein ist, so habe ich resolviert, eine neue Kirche aufbauen zu lassen, und gedencke solche mit einem Capital von dreißig tausend Gulden in fünf Jahren in stand zu bringen.

Diesen Auftrag erteilte er dem aus Zerbst in Sachsen-Anhalt stammenden Baumeister Friedrich Joachim Stengel. Am 01. Juli 1762 erfolgte schließlich die feierliche Grundsteinlegung in Saarbrücken. Einen ersten Rückschlag musste der Bau 1768 hinnehmen, als der Schirmherr Fürst Wilhelm Heinrich starb. Aufgrund der zunehmend ausufernden Bautätigkeiten hinterließ er seinem Sohn Fürst Ludwig einen immensen Schuldenberg, weshalb der Bau erstmal ins Stocken geriet. Sein Sohn Ludwig war es auch, der der heutigen Ludwigskirche und dem dazugehörigen Ludwigsplatz seinen Namen gab. Der Bau wurde schließlich 1775 fertiggestellt, sodass am 25. August die offizielle Weihung mit einer großen Feierlichkeit begangen werden konnte. Die Kirche bildet im Grundriss ein griechisches Kreuz mit Achsenlängen von 34,2 m, bzw. 38,5 m. Der Wiener Bildhauer Francuß Bingh fertigte für die Balustrade 28 sandsteinerne Figuren an, die Gestalten aus dem Alten und dem Neuen Testament darstellen.

Die Westfassade der Ludwigskirche [Bild: Wikipedia-User Fototravel]

Allerdings kam es bereits wenige Jahre nach feierlicher Weihung zu den ersten markanten Veränderungen an der Ludwigskirche. Fürst Ludwig begann u.a. als Folge der Französischen Revolution 1793 alles Barocke abzubrechen und ins Gotische umzubauen. Davon war auch die Ludwigskirche betroffen und er ließ die eigens für die Kirche gegossenen Glocken zerstören und viele Teile der metallenen Schutzausstattung demontieren, sodass die Kirche dem Verfall ausgesetzt wurde.

Ab 1807 fanden, um die mittlerweile erlittenen Schäden der Kirche zu reparieren, regelmäßig Instandsetzungs- und Verschönerungs-Arbeiten statt, die allerdings nicht mehr den Originalentwürfen Stengels folgten. Ihren Abschluss fanden diese Arbeiten 1887. Am 30. Oktober jenes Jahres wurde die Ludwigskirche erneut in einer feierlichen Prozession geweiht und eröffnet. 1906 wurde der gesamte Bau schließlich von dem Provinzialkonservators der Rheinprovinz Prof. Dr. Clemen in Augenschein genommen. Dieser ließ die Kirche - im Gegensatz zu seinen Vorgängern - nach der ursprünglichen Idee Stengels restaurieren und wieder umbauen. Am 05. November 1911 fand die bereits dritte offizielle Weihung der Ludwigskirche statt. Als Saarbrücken im Zweiten Weltkrieg unter einem Bombardement der Briten litt, wurde die Ludwigskirche auch nicht verschont und brannte aus. 1949 begann man mit dem Wiederaufbau, versuchte dieses Mal aber möglichst wenig zu ändern und sich auf die Restaurierung und Konservierung des vorhandenen Baubestands zu konzentrieren.

www.regionalgeschichte.net/saarland/staedte-doerfer/orte-...

Pavel Srníček (1968-2015) was a Czech professional football player who made a significant impact both on and off the field during his career. Born on March 10, 1968, in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), Srníček developed a passion for football at an early age. His talent and dedication eventually led him to become one of the most beloved goalkeepers of his generation.

 

Srníček began his professional career in 1989 when he joined Baník Ostrava, a club based in his hometown. His performances quickly caught the attention of bigger clubs, and in 1991, he moved to England to play for Newcastle United. The transfer marked the beginning of an unforgettable journey for Srníček in the English football scene.

 

During his first spell at Newcastle United, Srníček established himself as a reliable and skilled goalkeeper. He played a vital role in the team's success during the early 1990s, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League in the 1992-1993 season. Srníček's agility, shot-stopping abilities, and charismatic personality endeared him to the club's fans, who affectionately nicknamed him "Pavel is a Geordie."

 

In the 1993-1994 season, Srníček played a crucial role in Newcastle United's impressive third-place finish in the Premier League, their highest league position in decades. His performances earned him widespread recognition and led to his inclusion in the Czech Republic national team for the 1996 UEFA European Championship.

 

Srníček's success at Newcastle United continued, but he faced tough competition from fellow goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. Despite the competition, Srníček remained a fan favorite due to his passion and loyalty to the club. In 1998, he experienced his first major setback when he suffered a serious injury during a collision with opposing player Everton's Paul Gazza. The injury kept him sidelined for an extended period, and upon his return, he struggled to regain his previous form.

 

In 2000, Srníček left Newcastle United and embarked on a journey to experience football in different countries. He joined Italian club Brescia, where he spent a season before moving to Portugal to play for Beira-Mar. However, he faced difficulties adapting to the new environment and struggled to find regular playing time. Despite these challenges, Srníček's determination and resilience pushed him to keep pursuing his passion for football.

 

In 2003, Srníček returned to England and signed with West Ham United. He provided experienced backup for the team and served as a mentor to young goalkeepers. However, his stint at West Ham United was relatively short-lived, and after a season, he moved to his boyhood club, Baník Ostrava, in the Czech Republic.

 

Srníček's return to Baník Ostrava was a fitting end to his playing career. He played for the club until 2006, showcasing his skills and experience while also contributing to the development of young talents. After retiring as a player, Srníček remained involved in the world of football, taking up various coaching and ambassadorial roles.

 

Tragically, Srníček's life was cut short on December 29, 2015, when he suffered a cardiac arrest while jogging. He was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately passed away on December 29, 2015, at the age of 47. His untimely death shocked and saddened the football community, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans, players, and clubs worldwide.

 

Pavel Srníček's legacy extends far beyond his achievements on the football pitch. He was known for his kind-hearted nature, infectious smile, and unwavering dedication to the sport. In recognition of his contributions, a statue of Srníček was unveiled outside St. James' Park, the home stadium of Newcastle United, in 2016. The statue stands as a lasting tribute to a man who not only captured the hearts of football fans but also left an indelible mark on the game he loved.

 

Newcastle United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England. The team compete in the Premier League, the first level of the English football league system, as of the 2023–24 season. Since the formation of the club in 1892, when Newcastle East End absorbed the assets of Newcastle West End to become Newcastle United, the club has played its home matches at St James' Park. Located in the centre of Newcastle, it currently has a capacity of 52,305.

 

The club has been a member of the Premier League for all but three years of the competition's history, spending 91 seasons in the top flight as of May 2023, and has never dropped below English football's second tier since joining the Football League in 1893. Newcastle have won four League titles, six FA Cups and an FA Charity Shield, as well as the 1968–69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the ninth-highest total of trophies won by an English club. The club's most successful period was between 1904 and 1910, when they won an FA Cup and three of their League titles. Their last major domestic trophy was in 1955. More recently the club have been League or FA Cup runners-up on four occasions in the 1990s. Newcastle were relegated in 2009, and again in 2016. The club won promotion at the first time of asking each time, returning to the Premier League, as Championship winners, in 2010 and 2017. In October 2021, a consortium led by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, became majority owners of Newcastle United.

 

The team's traditional kit colours are black-and-white striped shirts, black shorts and black or white socks. Their crest has elements of the city coat of arms, which features two grey hippocamps. Before each home game, the team enters the field to "Going Home", with "Blaydon Races" also being sung during games. The 2005 film Goal! featured Newcastle United, and many signings mentioned the influence the film had on them.

 

The history of Newcastle United Football Club, an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, covers the club's entire history from its formation to the present day. Formed by a merger between Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End to become 'United' in 1892, the club was elected to the Football League, which they entered in 1893.

 

Newcastle are England's 9th most successful club of all time. They have been English champions four times (in 1905, 1907, 1909, 1927) and FA Cup winners six times (in 1910, 1924, 1932, 1951, 1952, 1955). The club have also won the 1909 Charity Shield, the 1968–69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, and the 2006 Intertoto Cup. Newcastle have reached the League Cup final twice, finishing runners-up in both years ( 1976 and 2023). They have played in England's top league from 1898–1934, 1948–61, 1965–78, 1984–89, 1993–2009, 2010–2016, and 2017–present, playing in the second tier at all other times.

 

The first record of football being played on Tyneside dates from 3 March 1877 at Elswick Rugby Club. Later that year, Newcastle's first association football club, Tyne Association, was formed. The origins of Newcastle United Football Club itself can be traced back to the formation of a football club by the Stanley Cricket Club of Byker in November 1881. They won their first match 5–0 against Elswick Leather Works 2nd XI. The team was renamed Newcastle East End F.C. in October 1882, to avoid confusion with the cricket club in Stanley, County Durham.

 

Shortly after this, another Byker side, Rosewood FC, merged with East End to form an even stronger side. Meanwhile, across the city, West End Cricket Club began to take an interest in football and in August 1882, they formed Newcastle West End F.C. West End played their early football on their cricket pitch, but in May 1886, the club moved into St James' Park. The two clubs became rivals in the Northern League. In 1889, Newcastle East End became a professional team, before becoming a limited company the following March.

 

West End soon became the city's premier club. East End were anxious not to be left behind and lured Tom Watson into becoming the club secretary/manager in the close season of 1888 and from that point, never looked back; Watson made several good signings, especially from Scotland, and the Heaton club went from strength to strength, while West End's fortunes slipped dramatically.

 

The region's first league competition was formed in 1889 and the FA Cup began to cause interest. Ambitious East End turned professional in 1889, a huge step for a local club, and in March 1890, they made an even more adventurous move by becoming a limited company with capital of 1,000 pounds in ten shilling notes. During the spring of 1892, in a season during which their results were at an all-time low, and in which they had lost to their bitter rivals, East End, five times, West End found themselves in serious trouble. They approached East End with a view to a take over, the directors having decided that the club could no longer continue.

 

What actually happened was that West End wound up, while some of its players and most of its backroom staff joined East End. East End also took over the lease on St. James' Park in May 1892.

 

With only one senior club in the city for fans to support, development of the club was much more rapid. Despite being refused entry to the Football League's First Division at the start of the 1892–93 season, they were invited to play in their new Second Division. However, with no big names playing in the Second Division, they turned down the offer and remained in the Northern League, stating "gates would not meet the heavy expenses incurred for travelling". In a bid to start drawing larger crowds, Newcastle East End decided to adopt a new name in recognition of the merger. Suggested names included Newcastle F.C., Newcastle Rangers, Newcastle City and City of Newcastle, but Newcastle United was decided upon on 9 December 1892, to signify the unification of the two teams. The name change was accepted by the Football Association on 22 December, but the club was not legally constituted as Newcastle United Football Club Co. Ltd. until 6 September 1895. At the start of the 1893–94 season, Newcastle United were once again refused entry to the First Division and so joined the Second Division, along with Liverpool and Woolwich Arsenal. They played their first competitive match in the division that September against Woolwich Arsenal, with a score of 2–2.

 

Turnstile numbers were still low, and the incensed club published a statement claiming "The Newcastle public do not deserve to be catered for as far as professional football is concerned". However, eventually figures picked up by 1895–96, when 14,000 fans watched the team play Bury. That season Frank Watt became secretary of the club, and he was instrumental in promotion to the First Division for the 1898–99 season. However, they lost their first game 4–2 at home to Wolves and finished their first season in thirteenth place.

 

In 1903–04, the club built up a promising squad of players, and went on to dominate English football for almost a decade, the team known for their "artistic play, combining team-work and quick, short passing". Newcastle started to purchase talented players, especially from Scotland, and soon had a squad to rival all of England. With players like Colin Veitch, Jackie Rutherford, Jimmy Lawrence and Albert Shepherd, Newcastle had a team of international talent. Bill McCracken, Jimmy Howie, Peter McWilliam and Andy Aitken were also household names in their day. Long after his retirement, defender Peter McWilliam said "The Newcastle team of the 1900s would give any modern side a two goal start and beat them, and further more, beat them at a trot".

 

Newcastle United went on to win the League on three occasions during the 1900s: in 1904–05, 1906–07 and 1908–09. Newcastle reached five FA Cup finals in the years leading up to World War I. In 1904–05, they nearly did the double, losing to Aston Villa in the 1905 FA Cup Final. They were beaten again the following year by Everton in the 1906 FA Cup Final. They reached the final again in 1908 where they lost to Wolves. In 1908 the team suffered a record 9–1 home defeat to local rivals Sunderland in the league but still won that season's league title. They finally won the FA Cup in 1910 when they beat Barnsley in the final. They lost again the following year in the final against Bradford City.

 

The team returned to the FA Cup final in 1924, in the second final held at the then new Wembley Stadium. They defeated Aston Villa, winning the club's second FA Cup.Three years later they won the First Division championship a fourth time in 1926–27. Record signing & Scottish international centre-forward Hughie Gallacher, one of the most prolific goal scorers in the club's history, captained the championship-winning team. Other key players in this period were Neil Harris, Stan Seymour and Frank Hudspeth. Seymour was to become an influential figure for the next 40 years as player, manager and director.

 

In 1930, Newcastle United came close to relegation, and at the end of the season Gallacher left the club for Chelsea, and at the same time Andy Cunningham became the club's first team manager. In 1931–32, the club won the FA Cup a third time in the infamous 'Over the Line' final. United won the game 2–1 after scoring a goal following a cross from Jimmy Richardson which appeared to be hit from out of play - over the line. There were no action replays then and the referee allowed the goal, a controversial talking point in FA Cup history.

 

Newcastle boasted master players like Sam Weaver and Jack Allen, as well as the first player-manager in the top division in Scottish international Andy Cunningham. But at the end of the 1933–34 season, the team were relegated to the Second Division after 32 seasons in the First. Cunningham left as manager and Tom Mather took over. Amazingly in the same season as they fell into the Second Division, United defeated Liverpool 9–2 and Everton 7–3 within the space of a week.

 

The club found it difficult to adjust to the Second Division and were nearly further relegated in the 1937–38 season, when they were spared on goal averages.

 

When World War II broke in 1939, Newcastle had a chance to regroup, and in the War period, they brought in Jackie Milburn, Tommy Walker and Bobby Cowell.

 

Newcastle United won no Wartime League trophies, but Jackie Milburn made his debut in 1943 in a "Stripes vs Blues" match. Milburn's side was losing at half-time 3–0, but following a switch from midfielder to centre forward, he scored 6 goals to help them win the match 9–3. Jackie went on to score 38 goals in the next 3 years of the league's life.

 

By the time peace was restored in 1945, Seymour was at the forefront of Newcastle's affairs, manager in all but name. He ensured that the Magpies possessed an entertaining eleven full of stars, a mix of home-grown talent like Jackie Milburn, Bobby Cowell and Ernie Taylor, as well as big signings in the shape of George Robledo, Bobby Mitchell, Joe Harvey, Len Shackleton and Frank Brennan.

 

Newcastle spent the first couple of years post-war in the Second Division. Crowds were extremely high after the return to football, and in 1946 Newcastle recorded the joint-highest victory in English League Football history, defeating Newport County 13–0. Len Shackleton, playing his debut in that match, scored 6 goals in the match, another record for Newcastle United.

 

Newcastle returned to the First Division in double of the time. Promotion was achieved in 1948 in front of vast crowds. An average of almost 57,000 at every home game saw United's fixtures that year, a national record for years to come. That was just the start of another period of success.

 

During the Fifties decade United lifted the FA Cup trophy on three occasions within a five-year period. In 1951 they defeated Blackpool 2–0, a year later Arsenal were beaten 1–0 and in 1955 United crushed Manchester City 3–1. The Magpies were known in every corner of the country, and so were their players; 'Wor Jackie' Milburn and Bobby 'Dazzler' Mitchell the pick of a side that was renowned the nation over. Other players of this time were Frank Brennan (like Mitchell a Scot), Ivor Broadis, Len White and Welshman Ivor Allchurch.

 

Despite having quality players throughout the era, stars like Allchurch, White and George Eastham during the latter years of the decade, United slipped from the First Division in 1961 under the controversial management of ex-Manchester United star, Charlie Mitten. It was a huge blow to the club.

 

An old war-horse returned to revitalise the Magpies in the shape of Joe Harvey, who had skippered the club to much of their post-war success. He teamed up with Stan Seymour to rebuild United and the Black'n'Whites returned to the elite as Second Division Champions in 1965. United then became very much an unpredictable side, always capable of defeating the best, but never quite realising their huge potential until very recently.

 

Joe Harvey's side qualified for Europe for the first time in 1968 and stunned everyone the following year by lifting the Inter Cities Fairs Cup; the forerunner of the UEFA Cup. United possessed a solid eleven and Newcastle's tradition of fielding a famous Number 9 at centre-forward since earliest years continued as big Welshman Wyn Davies was prominent along with the likes of Pop Robson, Bobby Moncur and Frank Clark.

 

In the years that followed European success, manager Harvey brought in a string of talented entertainers who thrilled the Gallowgate crowd. Pleasers like Jimmy Smith, Tony Green and Terry Hibbitt. And especially a new centre-forward by the name of Malcolm Macdonald.

 

Nicknamed 'Supermac', Macdonald was one of United's greatest hero figures. Brash, arrogant and devastating in front of goal, he led United's attack to Wembley in 1974, against Liverpool in the FA Cup. But the Magpies failed to bring the trophy back to Tyneside, and a complete lack of success in any of the competitions the next season resulted in Joe Harvey being sacked in mid-1975.

 

Blackburn manager Gordon Lee was appointed to replace Harvey, and despite a mediocre league campaign in 1975–76, led the club to its first League Cup final, which ended in defeat by Manchester City. Despite Macdonald controversially being sold to Arsenal for a cut price deal, the following season saw United's best League campaign for years, and by Christmas the club looked to have an outside chance of winning the title. However, Lee walked out on the club to take over at Everton at the start of 1977, and inexperienced coach Richard Dinnis was put in charge of the team after the players demanded that he be given the job. United's form initially remained quite consistent under Dinnis, and they secured 5th place and a UEFA Cup spot at the end of the season. However, the team totally fell apart the following season, and Dinnis was sacked after a run of ten straight League defeats and a thumping UEFA Cup exit at the hands of French team SC Bastia. Bill McGarry took over as manager, but was powerless to prevent United from being relegated in statistically their worst season ever. The only mercy they had was Leicester City's terrible goal difference preventing United from finishing bottom of the table.

 

McGarry remained in charge of the club, but only managed two midtable finishes before being sacked in the wake of an uninspiring start to the 1980–81 season, and it was his successor Arthur Cox who steered United back again to the First Division with ex England captain Kevin Keegan leading the attack, having joined the Magpies in a sensational deal in 1982.

 

The football inspired by Keegan captivated Tyneside and United stormed into the top division in a style only bettered by Kevin's own brand of football when he returned to the club as manager a decade later. Cox had also signed young winger Chris Waddle out of non-league football, as well as young striker Peter Beardsley, Liverpool midfielder Terry McDermott and former Manchester United midfielder David McCreery. The club was rocked however when Cox resigned after the board refused to offer him an improved contract in the aftermath of promotion, and, surprisingly, accepted an offer to take charge of Derby County - who had been relegated from the Second Division.

 

One of English footballs greatest talents, Paul Gascoigne or 'Gazza', emerged as an exciting 18-year-old midfielder in 1985-86, under Newcastle's next manager Jack Charlton, who left after only one season despite Newcastle achieving a secure mid-table finish on their return to the First Division. His successor was former player Willie McFaul. Newcastle consolidated their place in Division One but then a period of selling their best players (Beardsley to Liverpool, and Waddle and eventually Gascoigne both to Tottenham), rocked the club and led to supporter unrest, as did a share-war for control of the boardroom. The effect of this on the pitch soon proved evident, as McFaul was sacked after a dismal start to the 1988–89 season, and new boss Jim Smith was unable to turn Newcastle around, resulting in them finishing at the foot of the First Division in 1989 and dropping back into the Second Division.

 

Smith then signed Portsmouth striker Mick Quinn and Newcastle began the 1989–90 season on a high note, beating promotion favourites Leeds United 5–2 on the opening day with Quinn scoring four goals, and Newcastle appeared to be on the path to a revival. However, they missed out on automatic promotion by one place, before enduring a humiliating play-off exit at the hands of local rivals Sunderland. The intensifying boardroom battle soon took its toll on the club, and Smith resigned early in the following season with the side stuck in mid-table. Ossie Ardiles became the club's new manager, and despite being initially being the club's most popular manager since Joe Harvey, Newcastle dropped to the bottom of the Second Division in October 1991. Results failed to improve, despite the acquisition of a new striker in David Kelly and the efforts of promising young players including Steve Howey, Steve Watson and Gavin Peacock, and in February 1992 Ardiles was sacked. Despite being the best-supported side in the division and frequently still managing to pull in crowds of more than 20,000, Newcastle were also millions of pounds in debt and faced with the real prospect of third-tier football for the first time ever. A saviour was needed, and in came new chairman John Hall, who offered the manager's job to Kevin Keegan. Despite having vowed never to enter management following his retirement as a player, Keegan accepted the offer to manage Newcastle. His first task was to deliver Second Division survival.

 

Kevin Keegan returned as manager in the 1991–92 season, and survived relegation from the Second Division. The club's finances were transformed, with Hall aiming to put Newcastle among Europe's biggest clubs, and signings like Rob Lee and Andy Cole helped Newcastle to promotion the following season, 1992–93, as champions of the new First Division. The finish also secured qualification for the 1993–94 UEFA Cup upon return to the top flight in the 1993–94 Premier League season.

 

St James' Park was redeveloped during this time into an all-seated stadium with a capacity of 36,000. This increased to 52,000 in the late 1990s, after the rejection of Hall's proposal to build a larger stadium at Castle Leazes.

 

Keegan stunned fans and critics alike in 1995 when prolific striker Andy Cole was sold to Manchester United in exchange for £6 million and midfielder Keith Gillespie, leaving many to blame the sale to have affected Newcastle's title chances for the 1994–95 season, in which they finished sixth. The club, however, continued to build up a reputation for playing attacking football under Keegan. In the 1995–96 season, high-profile foreign stars David Ginola and Faustino Asprilla, in addition to British players Peter Beardsley and striker Les Ferdinand, guided the team to a second-place finish. During the 1996–97 season, Keegan made one signing, securing the services of England striker Alan Shearer for a then-world record transfer fee of £15 million to produce a shrewd partnership with Les Ferdinand, and claim a 5–0 victory over title rivals Manchester United. whilst remaining in contention to win the league.

 

With the team having failed to win any trophies under his reign, Keegan resigned as manager on 8 January 1997, saying, "I feel that I have taken the club as far as I can."

 

Kenny Dalglish replaced Keegan as manager, and maintained the club's good form through to the end of the season, finishing second. In the 1997–98 season, Les Ferdinand and David Ginola both left the club, whilst Alan Shearer broke his ankle in a pre-season friendly, keeping him out for the first half of the season. Dalglish signed Ian Rush, John Barnes, Duncan Ferguson and Stuart Pearce to bolster the squad, and achieved a 3–2 victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League through a Faustino Asprilla hat-trick, but Dalglish's cautious brand of football, as opposed to the attacking style played under Keegan, did not prove successful—the club failed to progress beyond the Champions League group stage, finished 13th in the Premier League, and lost the FA Cup final to Arsenal. Dalglish began the 1998–99 season signing Nolberto Solano and Dietmar Hamann, but was soon dismissed following the club's declining form.

 

Ruud Gullit replaced him, however the club again finished the league in 13th place and again lost in the FA Cup final, this time to Manchester United F.C. Gullit resigned early in the 1999–2000 season, having fallen out with several senior players, including Alan Shearer and captain Rob Lee. Keith Gillespie later blamed Gullit's arrogance for his failure as manager of the club.

 

Ex-England manager Bobby Robson was brought in to replace Gullit in September 1999. He ensured Newcastle's survival in the Premiership, but the club remained in the bottom half of the table, finishing 11th in 1999–2000 and 2000–01. Robson, however, built up an exciting young squad, and an unlikely top four challenge emerged in 2001–02 season—Newcastle finished in fourth place.

 

Playing in the Champions League in 2002–03, Newcastle progressed to the second group stage in unlikely circumstances, beating Italian squad Juventus 1–0 along the way. United finished the 2002–03 season third in the Premier League, but lost their Champions League qualifier and played in the 2003–04 UEFA Cup instead, reaching the semi-final. In 2003–04, Newcastle finished fifth in the Premiership, lower than in previous seasons, and outside of Champions League contention.

 

Robson was then sacked following a poor start to the 2004–05 season and alleged discontent in the dressing room. In his autobiography, Robson was critical of Shepherd, claiming that while manager he was denied information regarding the players' contracts and transfer negotiations. He had previously publicly criticised the club's highly financed offer for Wayne Rooney, which the club later claimed they could not afford, stating young players were making excessive demands without first proving themselves on the pitch. He also criticised Shepherd and the club's deputy chairman Douglas Hall for their focus on the first team and St James' Park, causing them to neglect less glamorous issues, such as the training ground, youth development and talent scouts.

 

Graeme Souness replaced Robson and finished the season 14th in the league. Souness' arrival, however, was met with mixed reactions, with many expecting Robson being a hard task to improve upon, despite insisting he was aware of Sir Bobby's admiration and was ready for the role. In the January transfer window, Souness caused controversy in securing an £8 million bid for France international Jean-Alain Boumsong, who had joined Rangers for free just months before, prior to which Sir Bobby had travelled to France to review Boumsong but declined to sign him. The Stevens inquiry in 2007 documented that in this purchase Souness was accused of lack of consistency and was reviewed over the large media speculation the transfer received, but was eventually exonerated from any illegal participations. Going into 2005–06 season, despite signing several new players, including the return of Nolberto Solano from Aston Villa as well as Albert Luque from Deportivo de La Coruña for £10 million, Souness struggled with the opening games. He later blamed the state of the club's training ground for injuries suffered to players. The signing of Michael Owen (for a club record £17 million from Real Madrid) and his strike partnership with Alan Shearer produced goals at the end of 2005, but an injury caused Owen to miss the rest of the season and following a poor start to the new year, Souness was sacked in February 2006. Robbie Elliiot and Shay Given announced regret over his exit in the club's Season Review DVD but acknowledged his seeming favouritism of players and the amounting pressure on him damaged morale, whilst Alan Shearer blamed the injury crisis to first-team players.

 

Caretaker manager Glenn Roeder was issued the role of temporary first-team manager, seeing his first game against Portsmouth secure Alan Shearer's 201st goal for Newcastle United, becoming the club's all-time highest-scoring player. Roeder guided Newcastle from 15th to seventh place securing 32 league points from a possible 45 by the end of 2005–06, as well as securing a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and was given a two-year contract by chairman Freddy Shepherd. His appointment caused controversy, as at the time he did not hold the necessary UEFA Pro Licence to manage in the UEFA leagues and cup tournaments His role, however, was approved by UEFA who acknowledged that Roeder's diagnosis with a brain tumour in 2003 prevented him from developing his career, whilst Chairman Freddy Shepherd also fulfilled UEFA's request that he gain backing from all 19 other Premier League clubs to appoint him as manager. Alan Shearer retired at the end of the 2005–06 season scoring a record 206 goals.

 

Roeder encountered a difficult 2006–07 season, losing many players to injury, in particular Michael Owen, who had severely damaged his ligaments during the 2006 FIFA World Cup seeing him only play the final two games of the season. Newcastle won the 2006 Intertoto Cup, but a 5–1 exit to Birmingham City in the FA Cup, a round of 16 exit in the UEFA Cup and poor league results seeing a 13th-place finish led Roeder to resign in May 2007.

 

As the 2007 season drew to a close, St James Holdings Limited, the bid vehicle of billionaire businessman Mike Ashley, was reported to be in the process of buying the club. Ashley successfully acquired Sir John Hall's majority stake in the club in May 2007, leaving many to believe chairman Freddie Shepherd was set to depart after stepping down as chairman, should Ashley acquire more than 50 percent, which would see Shepherd no longer in control of the club and Ashley able to replace the board. Shepherd dismissed all speculation and proceeded to appoint ex-Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce as Newcastle manager, but eventually met with Mike Ashley and the board on 29 May. On 7 June 2007, Shepherd ended his 11 years with the club after Mike Ashley accepted his bid to buy his shares and in his role as chairman of the board, also having Shepherd advise the remaining shareholders to sell to Ashley. Ashley then announced he would be delisting the club from the London Stock Exchange upon completion of the takeover. The club officially ceased trading on the Stock Exchange as of 8 am on 18 July 2007 at 5p a share. Ashley brought in lawyer Chris Mort as the new club "deputy chairman".

 

Despite signing and building a seemingly strong squad, Sam Allardyce soon became widely unpopular with fans and players alike, and was surprisingly sacked by Ashley halfway through his first season after underwhelming results and pressure from the fans. Ashley, however, defended his decision to sack Allardyce, stating he made a mistake in not appointing his own choice of manager before the season started.

 

Kevin Keegan then made a sensational surprise return as manager. His return had an instant impact on club ticket sales as he sat with the fans, Mike Ashley and Chris Mort for the FA Cup replay 4–1 win against Stoke City. Following his return, Keegan had a disappointing first ten games back, with the club not winning a single game until his decision to include strikers Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka into a 4–3–3 formation, which saw the club back on goal-scoring and winning form and eventually finishing 12th in 2007–08. In May Keegan met with Mike Ashley and Director of Football Dennis Wise after he had suggested Champions League qualification was out of Newcastle United's reach and expressed dissatisfaction with the board's financial backing. Ashley was battling reports that he had lost hundreds of millions of pounds in a disastrous attempt to rescue bank HBOS. The morning following, after the club's 3–0 defeat to Arsenal, rumours were circulating that Keegan had either been sacked or resigned as Newcastle boss, citing board interference and his lack of control over transfers. Keegan confirmed the reports the same week, and reportedly held unsuccessful resolution talks with Mike Ashley the following week, leading to fan fury and protests around St James' Park, and marring the club's home defeat to Hull City, with fans accusing Ashley and club executives Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and Derek Llambias of forcing Keegan out.

 

Following mass media coverage of Keegan's departure, the club struggled to find a replacement, with the majority of managers showing no interest in the role. Ashley released a statement to the club's fans that in fear of his and his families reputation and safety, he was placing the club for sale. It was then announced that former Nottingham Forest manager Joe Kinnear was appointed temporary manager His appointment, however, saw a backlash from fans, prompting a verbal tirade from Kinnear at the media, who questioned his decision to take the job at such a time. By the end of the year, Ashley took the club off the market claiming he was unable to find a suitable buyer.

 

In the remainder of 2008–09, Kinnear won four out of 18 matches before stepping down due to reported heart problems. Chris Hughton then took temporary charge before Alan Shearer returned to Newcastle United as manager in April with Iain Dowie as his assistant. After winning only one out of eight games, the club was relegated to the Championship for the first time since 1992. Mike Ashley then re-issued his desire to sell the club once again and issued a £100 million sale price tag.

 

Prior to the start of the 2009–10 season, Keegan's dispute with the club was resolved after a Premier League Arbitration Panel ruled that he had been misled to believe he had the final word on the club's transfer policy when in fact Director of Football Dennis Wise had been handed such control. The signings of Xisco and Nacho González were ruled to have been made without the manager's approval; with González, Dennis Wise signed him only after viewing him off of YouTube. Wise and Derek Llambias were ruled to have deliberately misled the media to believe Keegan had the final say, which amounted to constructive dismissal. Keegan was awarded £2 million in compensation and re-offered his job as Newcastle United manager under fresh new terms, though in response to the offer, he stated the fans had "had enough" for the time being and declined. He stated in 2013 he would consider a return should Mike Ashley leave the club.

 

Chris Hughton was appointed full-time manager early in the 2009–10 season. The club dominated the Championship, winning 30 games, drawing 12 and losing only four, scoring a total of 90 goals and finishing top of the league with 102 points, thus re-gaining Premier League status at the first attempt.

 

Beginning 2010–11, Hughton remained on course to secure survival from relegation with the club's first win at the Emirates over Arsenal, and a memorable 5–1 defeat over Sunderland. However, fury once again was caused by the board, as the club controversially sacked Chris Hughton after a 3–1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on 6 December 2010. Critics players and fans alike were shocked by Hughton's dismissal, leading to protests prior to the club's game against Liverpool in a bid to thank him for his work and support. Alan Pardew was then announced as being appointed manager on a five-and-a-half-year contract, with the club announcing they wanted a manager with more experience. Pardew stated he had nothing but respect for Chris Hughton and acknowledged the fact that other managers questioned his appointment. He secured his first win on his debut as manager with a 3–1 win over Liverpool On 31 January 2011, Newcastle sold striker Andy Carroll to Liverpool for a club record of £35 million. The sale of a young player at a high value proved controversial for Liverpool, with Alan Shearer ridiculing the price Liverpool paid as well as expressing sorrow at Newcastle for losing Carroll. Carroll himself stated that he did not want to leave the club but was forced out by the club's directors after Liverpool's final offer of £35 million; the board responded that Carroll had previously handed in a transfer request. Pardew said he was disappointed to lose Carroll, but pledged to invest in the club's summer transfer window. The remainder of the season saw Leon Best score a hat-trick on his debut in a 5–0 defeat of West Ham United, a memorable 4–4 comeback against Arsenal, and a 4–1 defeat of Wolverhampton Wanderers, eventually finishing 12th in the league.

 

Entering 2011–12, Pardew was reportedly denied the £35 million from the sale of Andy Carroll for transfers and told to sell players to raise funds, having claimed he had been assured the finances upon Carroll's departure. Kevin Keegan had previously stated Alan Pardew should not have expected the money following his issues with the board in 2008. The club signed many French-speaking players in the transfer window, including Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Debuchy, Sylvain Marveaux and Demba Ba. and with impressive results throughout the season, Newcastle finished fifth.

 

In the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, Newcastle reached the quarter-finals, and in the January transfer window, the French revolution continued into the new year, with Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran joining the squad. The team, however, had a poor 2012–13 Premier League and finished 16th in the Premier League.

 

Beginning the 2013–14 season, in a surprise move Joe Kinnear returned to the club as Director of Football, instantly causing fan fury following his outburst that he was "more intelligent" than the fans and critics, as well as mispronouncing various players names during a radio interview. However, he resigned after just eight months on the job following further critique for managing to sign only two players on loan—Loïc Rémy and Luuk de Jong—throughout the season's summer and January transfer windows, as well selling Yohan Cabaye to Paris Saint-Germain for £20 million, considered to be one of the most influential players at the time. Following the lack of transfer activity, Mike Ashley once again faced a fan revolt, with protests being launched at him to sell the club, and entered a dispute with several media titles whom the club banned from Newcastle United media facilities, press conferences and player interviews, declaring stories reported were intensely exaggerated and aimed only to damage Ashley's image further. Throughout the season, the club remained on course to ensure a top half finish, notably defeating Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time since 1972. Nonetheless, the team struggled for goals following the sale of Cabaye. Further dismay upon the season was caused when Pardew was banned for seven matches and fined £100,000 for an assault on Hull City midfielder David Meyler. The club then encountered a poor run of form, losing eight out of ten games and finishing the season tenth in the league, though the club confirmed Alan Pardew would stay on.

 

The opening eight games of the 2014–15 season proved disappointing, with the club failing to secure a win. After the dip in form, however, the club had an emphatic resurgence, seeing a five-game unbeaten run whilst also surprising League Cup holders Manchester City with a 2–0 win and progressing to the quarter-finals of the tournament. Pardew, however, resigned from the club on 30 December 2014 following immense pressure from fans calling for his departure, with many posters at games designed with the Sports Direct logo advertising a website demanding his resignation. Pardew admitted in the months leading up to his departure that protests from the fans were affecting his family and was subsequently feeling unhappy at the club. He was replaced by his assistant manager John Carver, though the team subsequently earned just 13 points out of a possible 50, surviving relegation on the final day of the season with a victory over West Ham, Carver was dismissed before the club's pre-season for 2016 began. The club paid tribute to player Jonás Gutiérrez following his successful recovery from testicular cancer to resume his playing career.

 

Beginning the 2015–16 season, former England F.C. Manager Steve McClaren was appointed manager, signing Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba, Florian Thauvin, Henri Saivet, Jonjo Shelvey, Andros Townsend and Ivan Toney. McClaren however struggled to produce results winning 6 and drawing 6 out of 28 games, whilst exiting both the FA Cup and League Cup in the Third Round. McClaren was subsequently sacked on 11 March 2016 with critics and former players voicing their favour of the decision. Rafael Benítez was announced as McClaren's successor the same day, signing a three-year deal. Benítez recorded his first victory in 3–0 defeat of Swansea City in the Premier League on 17 April 2016 after 5 games in charge, and maintained an emphatic 5-game unbeaten streak to the end of the season. Newcastle were however relegated from the Premier League along with Aston Villa and Norwich finishing 18th place, 2 points below safety. Betting websites confirmed after the final game that the club's 5–1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur matched the initial odds of Leicester City's 5000/1 win of the 2015–16 Premier League season.

 

Starting the 2016-17 season, Rafa Benítez signed 12 new players full-time and also acquired 5 players on loan, whilst 8 players left the club and another 12 on loan. New signings Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie proved popular scoring a combined total of 39 goals, finishing among the top goalscorers that season. Despite failing to improve on their dominant success in the 2009/10 championship season, the club remained in contention for the trophy throughout; threatened only by Brighton & Hove Albion Newcastle enjoyed a 3-game winning streak to the final day of the season and lifted the Football League Championship trophy on 8 May 2017 following a 3–0 win over Barnsley. Rafa Benítez denied speculation that he would leave the club following promotion to the Premier League and confirmed his commitment to the club for the foreseeable future. Shortly prior to the season's finish, the club was subject to raids by HMRC following suspicions of tax evasion. Managing Director Lee Charnley was arrested during the raid, but was later released without charge.

 

Ending the 2017-18 season, the club finished 10th in the Premier League defeating the current champions Chelsea on the final day of the season, the highest finish achieved within 4 years. Beginning the 2018–19 season, Mike Ashley again came under scrutiny following lack of major signings in the summer transfer window, with many fans accusing him of lacking interest in the club following his purchase of troubled retail chain House of Fraser for £90m. Despite the January signing of Miguel Almirón from Atlanta United FC for £21 million surpassing the club's transfer record fee of £16.8 million for Michael Owen in 2005, the club struggled throughout the season with 12 wins, 9 draws and 17 losses seeing a 13th place league table finish, whilst exiting the League Cup at the 2nd round in a 3–1 defeat of Nottingham Forest F.C and a 4th round exit of the FA Cup in a 2–0 defeat to Watford F.C. The season also saw heavy speculation regarding Rafa Benítez remaining at the club following reports he was still in negotiations following the end of the season.

 

Following fresh reports of Ashley's intention to sell the club, Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Founder and Chairman of The Bin Zayed Group of Companies, a member of the Al Nahyan royal family of Abu Dhabi, confirmed he had agreed terms to purchase the club for £350 million. On 5 June 2019 a company named Monochrome Acquisitions Limited was registered in Nahyan's name, whilst managing director Lee Charnley applied to have four companies linked to Ashley's company St James Holdings Ltd struck off, leaving many to believe the club was on course to be sold. Talks of a takeover however stalled throughout the summer transfer window, whilst Ashley confirmed he had not received an official bid from any prospective buyer.

 

Benítez rejected a new contract offer and departed the club on 30 June 2019, accepting a move to Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang in a £12 million deal. Ashley criticised Benítez stating unfair demands were made making it impossible for him to remain as manager. Notable player departures saw Salomón Rondón join Benitez at Dalian Yifang after returning to West Bromwich Albion F.C. from loan, whilst Ayoze Perez joined Leicester City for £30 million and Mohamed Diamé was released by Newcastle upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2018–19 season.

 

BBC Sport reported in July 2019 that Steve Bruce had resigned from his managerial position at Sheffield Wednesday after he earlier admitted that he had held talks with Newcastle United over their managerial vacancy. His appointment was confirmed on 17 July. Sheffield Wednesday however stated there were still outstanding legal issues with Bruce having resigned just 48 hours before, leading a report being filed to the Premier League alleging misconduct in his appointment. Newcastle United denied any wrongdoing and stated they were confident no case could be escalated. Reaction from the fans was mixed, with some feeling Bruce would not achieve the standard set by Benítez, whilst his recent lack of Premier League football and management of rival club Sunderland proved controversial. Bruce later acknowledged Benítez's popularity and stated he hoped the fans would not rush to judgement and give him time to prove himself and manager of Newcastle. Due to visa problems in China, Bruce watched his first match as manager from the stands which saw Newcastle achieve a third-place finish in the pre-season 2019 Premier League Asia Trophy following a 1–0 victory over West Ham United F.C. Bruce quickly made his first transfer, signing Joelinton from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for £40 million, breaking the club's transfer fee record previously held by Miguel Almirón at £21 million just 6 months before, before signing French international winger Allan Saint-Maximin from OGC Nice on a permanent deal for £16.5 million, Sweden international defender Emil Krafth for £5 million, central midfielder Kyle Scott on a free signing following his departure from Chelsea, and Netherlands international defender Jetro Willems on loan from Frankfurt F.C until the end of the 2019–20 season. Bruce made his final transfer of the pre-season on deadline day by re-signing striker Andy Carroll, who had left the club over 7 years earlier. On 4 February 2020, Steve Bruce's side ended a 14-year drought by reaching the 5th round of the FA Cup they beat League One side Oxford United 2–3 in a replay thanks to a late winner from Allan Saint-Maximin in extra time.

 

From March 2020, the season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On 13 March, following an emergency meeting between the Premier League, The Football Association (FA), the English Football League and the FA Women's Super League, it was unanimously decided to suspend professional football in England. On 19 March, the suspension was extended indefinitely, with a restart date of 17 June announced in late May with all remaining games to be played without crowd attendance.

 

Newcastle finished the season in 13th place. Defender Danny Rose was an outspoken critic of the decision to continue the season, citing the virus was still in major circulation and accused the FA of having no concern for footballers' health. Karl Darlow has since urged players at the club to get vaccinated following his hospitalisation from complications of Covid, whilst manager Steve Bruce admitted some players had voluntarily declined the vaccination.

 

The 2020-21 season saw all matches played without crowd attendance until May 2021, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Newcastle failed to improve on the previous season, finishing 12th in the premier league and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round added time to Arsenal and exited the EFL Cup in the quarter-finals losing 1–0 to Brentford.

 

In April 2020, it was widely reported that a consortium consisting of Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben Brothers, was finalising an offer to acquire Newcastle United. The proposed sale prompted concerns and criticism, such as arguments considering it sportwashing of the country's human rights record, as well as ongoing large-scale piracy of sports broadcasts in the region. However the consortium announced its withdrawal from the Newcastle deal on July 30, 2020, after multiple media reports highlighted realm as the staunch violator of human rights, and the WTO ruled that it was behind the piracy campaign using pirate-pay-service beoutQ. "With a deep appreciation for the Newcastle community and the significance of its football club, we have come to the decision to withdraw our interest in acquiring Newcastle United Football Club," the group said in its statement upon withdrawal. The group also stated that the "prolonged process" was a major factor in them pulling out. The collapse of the takeover was met with widespread criticism from Newcastle fans, with Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah accusing the Premier League of treating fans of the club with "contempt" and subsequently wrote to Masters for an explanation. Despite the consortium's withdrawal, disputes over the takeover continued. On 9 September 2020, Newcastle United released a statement claiming that the Premier League had officially rejected the takeover by the consortium and accused Masters and the Premier League board of " acting appropriately in relation to [the takeover]", while stating that the club would be considering any relevant legal action. The Premier League strongly denied this in a statement released the next day, expressing "surprise" and "disappointment" at Newcastle's statement.

 

On October 7, 2021, the Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media confirmed that they had officially completed the acquisition of Newcastle United. Governor of the investment fund Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan was appointed non-executive chairman, whilst Amanda Staveley and Jamie Reuben were both appointed as directors and each held a 10% shareholding in the club.

 

The takeover led to widespread speculation that manager Steve Bruce was expected to leave the club. Although not denying the speculation that the club was keen to appoint a new manager, Staveley stated Bruce was to remain for the new owners first game against Tottenham Hotspur; his 1000th match as a football manager. However following Newcastle losing the game 3-2 and alleged discontent among the players, Bruce left the club by mutual consent. Bruce stated his sadness at leaving the club and felt Newcastle fans launched unnecessary verbal abuse at him during his time there. Interim manager Graeme Jones as well as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta supported Bruce's claims stating the abuse he received was off putting for other managers to take the role.

 

Eddie Howe was appointed as manager on 8 November 2021. The announcement was made following reports that the club had discussed the role with him the previous week and confirmed following his attendance at the away draw to Brighton & Hove Albion. On 19 November 2021, Newcastle announced that Howe had tested positive for COVID-19 and would miss his first game in charge, which instead forced him to watch his first game as manager from a hotel room as Newcastle drew 3–3 with Brentford on 20 November.

 

Lee Charnley, who acted as Managing Director under Ashley's ownership, left the club on 19 November 2021 following a six-week handover period. His departure was the final of Mike Ashley's hierarchy, with Staveley stating the club was undergoing a "formal process" to appoint a new figure to replace the role.

 

Eddie Howe had to wait until 4 December 2021 for his first win as Newcastle manager in a 1–0 win against Burnley, which was also the first win since the takeover happened. Howe then made five signings in the first January transfer window under the new ownership which included a marquee singing in Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães from Olympique Lyonnais. The transfer window and the players that were already there that Howe improved helped Newcastle to go on a 9-game unbeaten run in the Premier League to get them 10 points clear from the relegation zone and increasing the chance of guaranteeing survival. After Newcastle's 1–0 win against Crystal Palace, this was the first time the club had managed to win 6 home games in a row since 2004 when Sir Bobby Robson was in charge. Newcastle finished in 11th place after a run of 12 wins in their final 18 games, and became the first team in Premier League history to avoid relegation after not winning any of the first 14 games they played.

 

On 30 May 2022, the club announced they had reached an agreement of a compensation fee with Brighton & Hove Albion to appoint Dan Ashworth as the new Sporting Director, the appointment was confirmed on 6 June 2022. On 15 July 2022, the club brought in Darren Eales, from MLS side Atlanta United, as the club's new Chief Executive Officer - acting as a "key member of the club's leadership structure".

 

Newcastle United was set up as a private company limited by shares on 6 September 1895. However, by the 1930s, ownership of the company was dominated by a small number of individuals: Alderman William McKeag, George and Robert Rutherford, and William Westwood, 1st Baron Westwood. George Stanley Seymour was allocated some shares when he joined the board in 1938.

 

By the second half of the 20th century, these shareholdings had passed to the next generation: Gordon McKeag, Robert James Rutherford, Stan Seymour Jr. and William Westwood, 2nd Baron Westwood. The Magpie Group led by Sir John Hall built up a large shareholding in the club and then took control in 1992. In 2007, St James Holdings Limited, the bid vehicle of billionaire businessman Mike Ashley, secured control of the club and in 2021, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media confirmed that they had acquired ownership of the club.

Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium (2020-2025); Mayor of Brakel, Belgium; Natashya Gutierrez, Foreign Correspondent, ABC News Australia, Australia; speaking in Meet the Leader: Mastering Reinvention session at the Young Global Leaders Annual Summit 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, 3/9/2025, 16:45 – 17:45, CERN - Auditorium A. One-on-One. Copyright: World Economic Forum/Pascal Bitz

This was going to be my entry to the BAF Weird War contest but I had so many setbacks that i couldn't finish it until now. I hope you like it! tomorrow I will post the minifigures for it. One character is someone you might recognize from Hellboy ;)

 

Thanks,

Pretorian Guard

 

Old Standard Oil Headquarters Building

 

architects: Francis H. Kimball, 1885

Thomas Hastings, 1921

  

At the time of it's completion,the pyramid atop the buildings tower (which was modeled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos) was the tallest of its time in lower Manhattan and was illuminated as a beacon for the harbor. It was also among the first buildings in the city to feature setbacks.

  

Bowling Green, Manhattan

26 Broadway Avenue

New York, NY

 

Mistakes and setbacks are stepping stones to my success because I learn from them. - Unknown

Update link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPWutyl9jU4&feature=c4-overvi...

 

------------------------------------

Minor Notes:

__________

• Certain MOCs Have Been and Can Still Possibly Be Postponed Until BBTB (2014) / Possible Bricks Cascade 2014 Due To Financial Mishaps and Setbacks

• Some MOCs, Such as Yavin IV, Will Be Modified For Every Convention The MOC (s) Attend.

• Will Attempt To Have Sponsor

-------------------------------

Yavin IV MOC Progress: 96%

__________________

• Entire Layout For Primary Scene Before Battle Has Been Finished

• Final Battle Version Of MOC Will Be Completed Soon After Last LEGO 41st Elite Scout Arrives

• All Droids Currently Back In MOC Setup (Still Missing 2 Regular LEGO Droidekas

• Size Of Clone Infiltration Garrison Has Been Downsized (LEGO Phase II Clones Replaced CAC Concepted Ones Due To Mishaps)

• Due To The Clone Adjustment, MOC Storyline Has Somewhat Changed, Actually Fits Better Than The Original Storyline

• MOC is Still Mildly Republic Customs Sponsored

• LEGO 41st Elite Squad & Commander Gree Now Here (Only Waiting On Jeff For Customization)

• Only Able To Use LEGO Weapons For Now (CAC Weapons Will Hopefully Be Affordable Next Year & We Can Switch Out For 2014)

-------------------------------

Battle Of Umbara: March On The Capital MOC Progress: 34.2%

__________________

• Basic Ground Structure Of MOC Has Already Been Laid Out

• Supply Package From Investor Arrived And Additional Funds Coming In Very Soon

• MOC BL Orders Organization Tabs (Mostly For Custom Umbarans)

• Over Roughly 10 - 15 BL / Supplier Orders Till Completed

• Full Minifigs4U & X-39 Customs Sponsored MOC

• Going with New 2013 501st Umbara Line for MOC

• Only Able To Use LEGO Weapons For Now (CAC Weapons Will Hopefully Be Affordable Next Year & We Can Switch Out For 2014)

• Have All LEGO 501st Troopers We Need, May Decide To Eventualy Add Army Builder Clones

-------------------------------

Recon Extraction On Chandrilla MOC Progress: 100%

__________________

• Replacing The Zombie MOC This Year

• Recently Added More Water Splash Detail

• Every Grass Detail Aspect Of The MOC Is Finished

• All Official Minifigures In The MOC Are Officially Staying In The MOC

• Will Only Be Appearing @ BBTB 2013

-------------------------------

Warhammer 40k: Winter Apoc MOC Progress: 49.6%

_________________

• Will Actually Be Based Off The Board Game Version

• Post-Apocalyptic Battle Scenery

• Will Have A Lot Of Backup Member help (Knowledge Purposes)

• Battle Will Be Between The White Scar Space Marines vs. Miscellaneous Necron Factions

• Official White Scar Space Marine Design Completed

• Will Take Over 30 Possible BL Orders (2/3 Going Towards The Space Marines & Necrons)

-------------------------------

Operation: Brick Freedom Collaboration MOC Progress: 25%

_________________

• Originally A Collab w/ $DeltaForceGuy$, We Have Now Taken Over The Collab For

• Possibly Might Postpone Until BBTB 2014 (One More Week Till A Decision Is Made)

• Battle Synopsis Planned Out, Refs Used Off Flickr

• Using 4 Grey Baseplates Layout

• Possibly Using little-legends Desert Soldiers & Brickmania Tank Kits

• Would Be Doing A Defiance MOC, But Will Preserve For Next Year Since It Is A Bit To Late

-------------------------------

Custom Minifig Display Stand (Minifigs4U) Progress: 65%

__________________

• RC Display Stand Has Been Moved Into Next Year's BBTB / Bricks Cascade Showcase

• Any Non-Star Wars Customs Will Be Included From Now On (Galaxy Troopers, Iron Man Figs, Super Heroes, etc.)

• Stand Has Been Downsized To Show Customs I Already Have (New BL Orders Already Planned However, May Not Place New)

• No New Minifigs4U SCPCs In Yet

• Will Have Most Of Latest Clones From Newest SCPC Line

• Stand Will Have All New "Army Builders" Series Clones

• Stand Back Still Hasn't Been Extended Yet For Vendor Labels

• Don't Have YouTube & Flickr Labels Or Business Cards For Minifigs4U Yet

-------------------------------

WC Brick Convention Team: 100%

_________________

• Official Team Members:

Jeff W., Ben S., & Justine L.

• Ben and I Are Already Registered For Con (Not All MOCs Are Registered Yet Though)

• Jeff & Justine Not Attending Private Convention Days (But May Possibly Attend Public Day)

• Officially @ 4 Backup Members [Mainly Construction] (Including Frosty)

• Still Currently Planning Team Schedule (Schedule Planned Weekly / Monthly)

• Company Gear & Attire Currently Being Ordered & MOC Transport Is Being Organized

• Private Day Agenda Is Sort of Planned Out

------------------------------------

Frame:*surly* straggler Painted by COOK PAINT WORKS

Headset:*chris king* nothreadset

Rim:*velocity* blunt ss

Tire:*fairweather* cruise

Handle:*whisky* no.7 24f aluminum drop

Stem:*thomson* elite x4

Bartape:*brooks* cambium rubber

Saddle:*brooks* b17s standard

Seatpost:*thomson* elite setback

Seat clamp:*DKG*

Pedal:*mks* bm-7

Poor Curiosity. He has looked and looked, but can't find one of his usual playmates (Kiwi). His other playmate has been hiding out a fair amount lately (Vidalia). As a result, he is trying hard to encourage the other felines in the house to play with him. . . he jumped on Gumbo a second time in the middle of the night last night. I may have to put up with a bell as BigBird3 suggested, although Gumbo can identify other felines by their walk so he may just have to be on alert for Curio even though he never needed to be wary before Kiwi left. Poor MoMo also has been a target. On the bright side, maybe it'll get MoMo further along in his social interaction skills. . . I'd hate for it to be a setback. Honestly, there is nothing malicious about this adorable boy with a confident strut. He just wants some feline fun and affection!

 

[SOOC, f/1.4, ISO 100, shutter speed 1/200, +2 EV]

Statue of Claudius as Jupiter.

 

A text, in english, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

 

Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus or Claudius I (August 1, 10 BC – October 13, AD 54) (Tiberius Claudius Drusus from birth to AD 4, then Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus from then until his accession) was the fourth Roman Emperor, the third of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from January 24, AD 41 to his death in AD 54. Born in Lugdunum in Gaul (modern-day Lyon, France), to Drusus and Antonia Minor, he was the first Roman Emperor to be born outside Italia.

Claudius was considered a rather unlikely man to become emperor. He was reportedly afflicted with some type of disability, and his family had virtually excluded him from public office until his consulship with his nephew Caligula in AD 37. This infirmity may have saved him from the fate of many other Roman nobles during the purges of Tiberius' and Caligula's reigns; potential enemies did not see him as a serious threat to them. His very survival led to his being declared emperor after Caligula's assassination, at which point he was the last adult male of his family.

Despite his lack of political experience, Claudius proved to be an able administrator and a great builder of public works. His reign saw an expansion of the empire, including the conquest of Britain. He took a personal interest in the law, presided at public trials, and issued up to twenty edicts a day; however, he was seen as vulnerable throughout his rule, particularly by the nobility. Claudius was constantly forced to shore up his position—resulting in the deaths of many senators. Claudius also suffered tragic setbacks in his personal life, one of which may have led to his murder. These events damaged his reputation among the ancient writers. More recent historians have revised this opinion.

See much more at the address en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudius .

 

A seguir, Texto, em português, da Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre:

Tibério Cláudio César Augusto Germânico, em latim Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, 1 de Agosto, 10 a.C. — 13 de Outubro de 54) foi imperador de Roma entre 41 e 54. Seu nome de nascimento era Tibério Cláudio Nero César Druso , em latim Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar Drusus. Era filho de Nero Cláudio Druso e Antónia Minor, neto de Livia Drusa, mulher de César Augusto, sobrinho de Tibério e irmão de Germânico. Nasceu em Lugdunum na Gália (actual Lyon, França), tornando-se assim o primeiro imperador nascido fora da península Itálica.

Desde a nascença que Cláudio sofreu de deficiências físicas que o tornaram coxo e com dificuldades de comunicação, visto que gaguejava fortemente. Talvez por isso, nunca foi levado a sério como possível general ou imperador e escapou à "limpeza" na família imperial romana efectuada pelos seus antecessores Tibério e Calígula. Era no entanto um homem muito culto a quem se deve o conhecimento actual da língua etrusca, segundo Suetônio Tranquilo.

Cláudio casou quatro vezes, com Plautia Urgulanilla, Aelia Paetina, Messalina e a sobrinha Agripina a jovem. Nenhum destes casamentos foi feliz. As duas primeiras mulheres foram repudiadas e Messalina foi executada por traição, adultério, libertinagem e acusação de conspiração. De Messalina, Cláudio teve os seus dois únicos filhos: Britânico e Octávia que haveria de casar com o irmão adoptivo, o imperador Nero.

Como habitual na época, o seu reinado não foi livre de assassínios e perseguição política, apesar do tom geral ser bastante mais calmo que o dos seus antecessores. Do ponto de vista económico, Roma recuperou depois dos excessos de Calígula, mesmo com os ambiciosos projectos iniciados pelo imperador. Entre estes, contam-se a expansão do porto de Óstia e a construção de várias obras públicas. Foi também com Cláudio que Roma conquistou as Ilhas Britânicas em 43, criando a província romana da Britânia, e a Mauritânia (no norte da África). Tomou parte na invasão da Britânia e acrescentou o título de Britannicus aos nomes de seu filho, para indicar a possessão romana da nova região.

O livro de Atos dos Apóstolos, escrito por Lucas, informa também que, devido a um decreto do imperador, os judeus foram expulsos de Roma:

"Encontrou ali um judeu chamado Áquila, que era da província do Ponto. Fazia pouco tempo que ele tinha chegado da Itália com Priscila, a sua esposa. Eles tinham saído de lá porque o imperador Cláudio havia mandado que todos os judeus fossem embora de Roma. Paulo foi visitá-los"

— Atos, 18:2

 

O mesmo livro previu um período de fome no reinado de Cláudio:

"E, levantando-se um deles, por nome Ágabo, dava a entender pelo Espírito, que haveria uma grande fome em todo o mundo, e isso aconteceu no tempo de Cláudio César."

— Atos, 11:28

 

Para o fim da vida, Cláudio tornou-se bastante permeável à influência de Agripina. Por sua indicação deserdou o seu próprio filho e nomeou o enteado Nero como sucessor. O facto de ter morrido de repente pouco depois desta troca de sucessor, levou e leva muitos historiadores a pensar na hipótese de assassinato.

Após Augusto, foi o primeiro imperador de Roma a ser divinizado.

 

Round Room, built by Michelangelo Simonetti in the late 18th century in a pure Neo-classical style. The dome is actually modelled on the Pantheon and has a diameter of 21.60 metres. A huge round monolithic porphyry basin stands in the middle of the room: it measures almost five metres across, comes from the Domus Aurea and was brought here in the late 18th century. A 2nd century Hercules in gilded bronze found near the Theatre of Pompey and a 3rd century mosaic from the Baths of Otricoli (region Umbria) are also fascinating.

 

Round Room, built by Michelangelo Simonetti in the late 18th century in a pure Neo-classical style. The dome is actually modelled on the Pantheon and has a diameter of 21.60 metres. A huge round monolithic porphyry basin stands in the middle of the room: it measures almost five metres across, comes from the Domus Aurea and was brought here in the late 18th century. A 2nd century Hercules in gilded bronze found near the Theatre of Pompey and a 3rd century mosaic from the Baths of Otricoli (region Umbria) are also fascinating.

The Museum Chiaramonti was founded by Pope Pio VII° Chiaramonti (1800-1823) and it is constituted by the Gallery Chiaramonti, the Lapidary Gallery and the New Wing.

 

The Museum Pio Clementino owes its name to Pope Clemente XIV° (1769-1775) and to his successor Pope Pio VI° (1775-1799) and it is formed by the Bathroom of the Apoxyomenos, the Octagonal courtyard of the Belvedere, the Bathroom of Apollo, of Laocoonte, of Hermes and from that of Perseo, the Room of the Animals, the Gallery of the Statues and the Busts, the Bathroom of the Masks, the Room of the Muses, the Round Room and the Room of the Greek Cross.

After entering the vatican and having bought the tickets you start this magic trip along the galleries of the XVIII century towards back to the centuries and you will end directly to the famous chapel frescoed by Michelangelo and Botticelli with Bible episodes.

 

Los Museos Vaticanos son las galerías y demás estancias de valor artístico propiedad de la Iglesia y accesibles al público en la Ciudad del Vaticano. Muestran obras de una extensa colección de la Iglesia Católica Romana. Su base fundacional fue la colección privada de Julio II, que fue elegido papa en el año 1503; más tarde otros papas han ido aumentando las extensas colecciones de que constan estos museos. Este conjunto museístico se compone de diferentes edificios de museos temáticos, edificios pontificios, galerías, monumentos y jardines. A este conjunto de edificios también pertenece la Biblioteca Vaticana, una de las mejores del mundo.

El origen de los museos vaticanos se configuró a partir de las obras de arte que de manera privada tenía el cardenal Giuliano della Rovere, que cuando fue escogido papa en 1503, con el nombre de Julio II, trasladó su colección al patio del Palacio Belvedere de Inocencio VIII en un gran jardín que se adornó con algunas esculturas, hoy conocido bajo el nombre de Patio Octógono: el Apolo de Belvedere, la Venus Feliz, el Río Nilo, el Río Tíber, la Ariadna dormida y el grupo de Laocoonte y sus hijos, escultura encontrada el 14 de enero de 1506 en la Domus Aurea de Nerón, en la colina romana del Esquilino; fue el arquitecto Giuliano da Sangallo el que identificó la escultura que la adquirió el papa Julio II. Se construyeron nuevos edificios y también pasadizos junto con galerías para unirlos con otros, anteriormente edificados; con el paso del tiempo y el acceso al poder de nuevos papas, se fueron desarrollando y ampliando hasta formar los actuales museos.

Los fondos de arte también fueron creciendo gracias a la tradición de las grandes familias italianas de formar colecciones, ya que estas familias eran las que tenían entre sus miembros cardenales que llegaban al pontificado. Por otro lado, las colecciones de obras de arte se enriquecieron y aumentaron gracias a todos los tesoros de las catacumbas romanas, las obras de la Basílica de San Pedro y de las de San Juan de Letrán, así como de todas las excavaciones arqueológicas realizadas en suelo romano, ya que los terrenos donde está situada la Ciudad del Vaticano, fueron ocupados por los etruscos y posteriormente por el Imperio Romano en tiempos de Augusto. En esta zona llamada Jardines de Nerón sufrió martirio san Pedro, y Constantino I el Grande, después de su conversión al cristianismo, hizo construir una basílica hacia el año 326.

La gran etapa constructiva del Vaticano se inició en 1447 con el papa Nicolás V que encargó al arquitecto Bernardo Rossellino el diseño de la nueva basílica de San Pedro y al pintor Fra Angelico la decoración de la capilla Nicolina; fue el fundador de la Biblioteca Vaticana. Sixto IV, en 1471, hizo construir una nueva capilla, la Sixtina, con la decoración pictórica de diversos artistas, entre ellos Sandro Botticelli y Pietro Perugino. En el antiguo palacio de Inocencio VIII, se construyó como acceso a las plantas superiores, desde un extremo del jardín de Belvedere, una rampa helicoidal diseñada por Donato Bramante, que la realizó en la época de Julio II ( hacia el 1505), con un punto de fuga único en la parte superior entre las columnas que son sucesivamente dóricas, jónicas y corintias, con una forma cilíndrica vacía, que van perdiendo grueso y aceleran la sensación de acceso. El papa Benedicto XIV en el año 1740, reorganizó las nuevas salas de los museos Sacro y Profano así como el gabinete de Medallas. Se crearon después los museos Pio-Clementino, proyectado por los papas Clemente XIV y su sucesor Pio VI durante la época de sus papados, comprendida entre los años 1769 y 1799.

La ilustración y los descubrimientos arqueológicos de Johann Joachim Winckelmann, nombrado conservador de las antigüedades romanas y bibliotecario del Vaticano en 1756, dieron como resultado un gran impulso para la exposición de las grandes colecciones que poseía el Vaticano; a partir de entonces y sin interrupción se hicieron trabajos de catalogación para la exposición pública de sus fondos. El siguiente papa, Pio VII, en 1800 encargó a Antonio Canova la organización del museo que lleva su nombre: Museo Chiaramonti, creando la primera sección de la pinacoteca. Fue en 1837 cuando Gregorio XVI inauguró el Museo Gregoriano Etrusco; poco después se fundó el Museo Gregoriano Egipcio (1839). Se fundó también en el Palacio de Letrán el Museo Gregoriano Profano (1844).

A partir de 1870, con el fin del Estado Pontificio, se reorganizó la exposición de las obras de arte en la Iglesia Católica y se tomaron nuevas medidas para afrontar los siguientes años, hasta que pasados 60 años comenzó a haber cambios significativos.

Pío XI en 1932 abrió la Pinacoteca, en la que expuso cuadros sustraídos por Napoleón con el Tratado de Tolentino (1797) y devueltos a raíz del Congreso de Viena (1815) y otras obras de la colección del Vaticano. Se fundó además el museo Misionero-Etnológico (Pío XI, 1927). Unas décadas después se trasladaron al Vaticano las antiguas colecciones lateranenses: los museos Gregoriano Profano y Pío Cristiano (1970) y el Museo Misionero-Etnológico (1973),con los nuevos criterios de renovación del Concilio Vaticano II, en 1973, se fundó la colección de Arte Religioso Moderno bajo el pontificado de Pablo VI así como también el Museo de las Carrozas.[7] También se reorganizaron los museos Gregoriano Egipcio (1989, 2000) y gregoriano Etrusco (1992, 1994, 1996). En esta reorganización se puede también incluir la creación del Museo Histórico, que posteriormente sería dividido en 1985, teniendo su sede en el Palacio de Letrán.

En febrero del año 2000 se inauguró la entrada monumental, en el fuerte norte de las murallas vaticanas, cerca de la antigua entrada realizada en 1932 por Giuseppe Momo con una escalera de caracol en rampa, cuya balaustrada fue diseñada por Antonio Maraini y que actualmente sirve de salida del museo.

The American Standard Building, formerly known as the American Radiator Building stands at 103 meters tall just south of Bryant Park. The 23-floor Art-Deco tower was designed Raymond Hood and John Howells from 1923-1924 for the American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Company.

 

The design broke from the Beaux Arts/classicism styles of the time, utilizing bold cubic massing that allowed verticality in light of the zoning laws of 1916 dictating setbacks for buildings above a certain height. The tower rises up fifteen stories before it begins a series of setbacks, creating a striking silhouette.

 

The most striking feature of Hood's design is the unusual black and gold color scheme--which served both practical and symbolic purposes. Although Hood denied the later, the building is especially dramatic when floodlighted at night, like a giant glowing coal--in effect, becoming an advertisement for the American Radiator Company. The black brickwork facing, said to symbolize coal, was selected to lessen the visual contrast between the walls and windows, giving the tower an effect of solidity and massiveness. The Gothic-style pinnacles and the terra-cotta friezes on the edges of the setbacks are coated with gold, symbolizing fire and flame.

 

The base is clad in bronze plating and black granite. The large plate glass windows of the ground floor showrooms are enframed by slender, bronze, ribbed shafts reminiscent of the Gothic style, but terminating in cubistic pinnacles. The windows are surmounted by a slender continuous modillioned bronze enframement. The main entrance, between the windows, is set within an arched opening and accented by bronze details of modified Gothic design. The second floor is surmounted by a modillioned cornice set on large intricate corbel blocks, displaying a series of carved allegories by Rene Paul Chambellan, symbolizing the transformation of matter into energy. The third story has a distinctive window bay treatment, flanked by indented brick pilasters surmounted by gold pinnacles and shielded by intricately detailed railings.

 

In 1998, the building was sold in Philip Pilevsky for $15 million. Three years afterwards, the American Radiator Building was converted into The Bryant Park Hotel with 130 rooms and a theater in basement.

 

The American Standard Building was designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1974.

 

For more details on the Empire State Building, see this picture. For more of my pictures of the Empire State Building, click here.

 

The Empire State Building was designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1981.

 

Empire State Building National Register #82001192

American Standard Building National Register #70002663

Schwalbe means swallow.

The 262 was the first jet to see action.

An amazing design that was 100mph faster than any Allied planes.

It suffered from many major problems and setbacks of different kinds in development, production and deployment.

When the small number finally entered service it was too little too late. It had no effect on the outcome of the war, and probably would have only extended the conflict a little longer if introduced earlier.

Devon had a severe headache and vomiting so he went to the hospital where they discovered a mass in his brain. They are giving him drugs to reduce the swelling and plan to begin radiation therapy as the Dr. said the chemo doesnt affect the brain. The other problem is where the tumor is located. The Dr. said it is serious but that he can be treated. OMG I am starting to get really scared.

This picture signifies a lot to me. Over the past few weeks, I've felt adrift within myself and the world. During this period of time, my perspectives, ambitions and ultimately my passion was questioned continuously. Being a person that thrives of passion, this was consequently a major setback in my motivation in life and sadly I found myself loathing in self pity.

 

But alas, I have risen past this void...At least I hope.

 

Hope all is well!

 

Follow me:

 

www.facebook.com/alexthaophotography

Famed theatre architects Rapp & Rapp designed the dramatically massed skyscraper in 1926 at a cost of $13.5M as offices for Paramount Pictures, as a home for the Paramount Theater (since demolished) and as an advertisement for the Paramount Corporation. The building, at its completion the tallest structure on Broadway north of the Woolworth Building (33 stories), sits on the site of the previous Putnam Building, erected to commemorate the spot where Revolutionary War hero General Israel Putnam met General George Washington.

 

The motion picture company's trademark mountain encircled by five pointed stars is echoed in the fourteen setbacks creating a "para"mountain massing and its surmounting four faced clock, on which the hours are marked by five pointed stars. The setback below the clock faces is flanked by three-story scrolls, making the whole look like a gigantic desk clock. The clock is crowned by a glass glove that, when illuminated, is visible for miles. The globe and clock were painted black at the outset of World War II to maintain blackout conditions for fear of enemy invasion. The Globe and Clock tower were restored in 1996.

 

With its 3600-seat theater and fabulous Marquee and Arch, the Paramount introduced the likes of Gary Cooper, William Powell, Mae West, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and Claudette Colbert, through silent films and talkes to New York. Its stage was graced regularly by Benny Goodman, Jack Benny, Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin to name a few. In the 1950's, the Theater became home to the Alan Freed Rock and Roll stage show. In 1956, Elvis Presley’s first movie, Love Me Tender, premiered here.

 

In 1964 the Paramount closed its doors. The theater space was converted to offices, the marquee wsa removed and the arch in-filled.

 

The clocks and globe were restored in 1997. In 2000, the World Wrestling Federation began construction of their entertainment complex, renovating the interior for a restaurant, nightclub and retail store at a cost of $38M. In 2001, at a cost $8MM, the original the marquee and arch were restored returning the facade to its original grandeur. In 2004, Hard Rock Cafe purchased the Paramount Hotel for $126.M and rebranded it the Hard Rock Hotel in 2007.

 

The Paramount Building was designated a landmark by the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1982, and its interior was designated separately in 1987.

Frame:*black mountain cycles* mod zero

Headset:*cane creek* 110

Wheel:*shimano*105 hb-r7070 x *velocity* blunt ss

Tire:*panaracer* fire pro

Handle:*whisky* no.7 6f aluminum drop

Stem:*thomson* elite x4

Bartape:*fizik* terra tacky

Saddle:*selle italia* flite 1990

Seatpost:*thomson* elite setback

Frame: *CRUST* bombora

Wheel:*Velo Orange* disc front hub x *MAVIC* A1022 disc rim

Tire:*ULTRADYNAMICO* cava race tire

Stem:*THOMSON* elite x4 stem

Handle:*THOMSON* carbon riser bar

Head Set:*PHILWOOD* 1-1/8 headset

Crank: *SHIMANO* FC-RX810 crank

Bottombracket :*PHILWOOD* OBB

Pedal:*MKS* lambda pedal

Saddle:*BROOKS* cambium C17

Seatpost:*THOMSON* elite setback seatpost

Front rack:*SURLY*8-pack front rack

Grip:*CAMP AND GO SLOW* eastern rattler bar tape

Bag:*ULTRA ROMANCE* fabio's chest

68003 and 68017 move back upto the station for an on time departure.

nb's *TOMII CYCLES* canvas

Blue Lug Custom

Spec

 

Frame:*TOMII CYCLES* canvas (battleship gray/54)

Fork:*ENVE* road fork

Headset:*PHILWOOD* 1 1/8 headset (silver)

Wheels:*ENVE* ses3.4 X *CHRIS KING* r45

QR:*PHILWOOD* QR skewers set (purple)

Tire:*VITTORIA* corsa

Stem:*ENVE* carbon stem

Handle:*RITCHEY* wcs neo classic

Bartape:*CADENCE* prowrap

Brake&Shift Lever:*SRAM* red 22

Brake:*SRAM* force

FD&RD: *SRAM* red 22

Seatpost:*ENVE* carbon seatpost setback

Crankset:*ROTOR* 3D

Pedal:*LOOK* keo blade2 carbon

BB:*PHILWOOD* outboard bb

Saddle:*FIZIK* antaress

Seatclamp*PHILWOOD* seat post collar (silver)

Rack:*TOMII CYCLES*

Rackbag:*FAIRWEATHER* prototype

PLEASE, NO invitations or self promotions, THEY WILL BE DELETED. My photos are FREE to use, just give me credit and it would be nice if you let me know, thanks.

 

Lipizzan mares and foals.

 

The Piber Federal Stud is 555 hectares in size and approximately 250 horses are kept there, including 70 broodmares.

 

Only stallions from the Spanish Riding School are used as breeding stallions, and all six classic stallion bloodline families are used.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Piber Federal Stud Farm is dedicated to the breeding of Lipizzan horses, located at the village of Piber. It was founded in 1798, began breeding Lipizzan horses in 1920, and today is the primary breeding farm that produces the stallions used by the Spanish Riding School, where the best stallions of each generation are bred and brought for training and later public performance. One of Piber’s major objectives is "to uphold a substantial part of Austria’s cultural heritage and to preserve one of the best and most beautiful horse breeds in its original form."

 

The Lipizzan breed as a whole, suffered a setback when a viral epidemic hit the Piber Stud in 1983. Forty horses and eight percent of the expected foal crop were lost. Since then, the population at the farm has increased, with 100 mares as of 1994 and a foal crop of 56 born in 1993. In 1994, the pregnancy rate increased from 27% to 82% as the result of a new veterinary center.

Shooting from the hip has some setbacks, including losing your subject's head.

 

But this guy was so expressive with his body, that I felt it was still a keeper.

The beginning of 2024 has not been a good start to The Boeing Company after suffering a major setback following the accident involving an Alaska Airlines Being 737 MAX 9 on 5th January 2024, which saw the aircraft suffering a rapid decompression when the aft door plug blew out on climb out from Portland, Oregon. The resulting accident saw the US FAA issue an emergency airworthiness directive which were also implemented by other aviation agencies, and the eventual grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9s featuring the plugged doors.

The investigation relating to Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 remains ongoing with the US NTSB being the lead investigators of the accident; however, information continues to come out relating to the accident and the wider issues surrounding Boeing and the use of subcontractors, in this case, Spirit AeroSystems who manufacture the Boeing 737 fuselages.

Since the accident, both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the biggest operators of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 at the time of writing noted loose bolts where the plug door assembly is located. Prior to the accident, there have issues relating to missing rivets from select Boeing 737 fuselages that were manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems leading to Boeing's Renton factory to delay deliveries for additional inspections to fuselages when they undergo final assembly.

The case of the incident airframe recently came to light and has been reported by the reputable The Air Current aviation news site; essentially this airframe was amongst the number of fuselages that were inspected by Boeing during final assembly which also saw the aft plug door being removed and incorrectly reinstalled following inspection and prior to delivery... At no time following delivery did Alaska Airlines inspect or remove the plug door during inauguration into traffic.

As airlines have continued to inspect the Boeing 737 MAX 9s and Boeing issuing guidance to resolve these issues, the US FAA have recently lifted the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 9s, on the proviso that they have been thoroughly inspected and there are no defects with the plug door. As of 25th January 2024, Copa Airlines were the first airline to reintroduce select Boeing 737 MAX 9s back into service, with Alaska Airlines expected to return their Boeing 737 MAX 9s into service as early as 26th January 2024, and United Airlines reintroducing theirs no later than 28th January 2024.

The grounding has caused further damage to Boeing's reputation, the company still grappling following the 2 previous Boeing 737 MAX 8 accidents in late-2018 and early-2019, the ongoing delayed certification of the Boeing 737 MAX 7, Boeing 737 MAX 10 and the Boeing 777X, as well as slow deliveries of the Boeing 787 following the restarting of their production. Airlines have gone on record to express their dissatisfaction with Boeing over recent issues. Alaska Airlines have also faced criticism for not inspecting the aircraft following delivery from Boeing, and the subject to joke in a sketch by Saturday Night Live.

The FAA as a result of the accident will increase oversight relating to the production of Boeing 737 MAX airframes, to ensure due diligence with quality control inspections; any increase in production rate to the narrow-body jet won't go-ahead unless meeting requirements by the FAA. This year will be make or break for Boeing...

Currently, Alaska Airlines operates 232 Boeing 737s, which includes which includes 11 Boeing 737-700s, 3 Boeing 737-700BDSFs, 59 Boeing 737-800s, 2 Boeing 737-800BCFs, 12 Boeing 737-900s, 79 Boeing 737-900ERs, one Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 65 Boeing 737 MAX 9s. Alaska Airlines have 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 15 Boeing 737 MAX 9s and 102 Boeing 737 MAX 10s on-order.

November Nine Two Zero Alpha Kilo is one of 65 Boeing 737 MAX 9s operated by Alaska Airlines, delivered new to the carrier on 20th September 2021 and she is powered by 2 CFM International LEAP-1B28 engines.

Boeing 737-9 MAX N920AK powers out from Runway 25R at Los Angeles (LAX), California on AS1263 to Redmond Municipal-Roberts Field (RDM), Oregon.

....and it's alright to look down for a while.

But don't dwell on it; We have to move on

 

Self-faith is crucial.

 

Me, in one of my darkest (pardon the pun) moments.

Check out today's post on thegoldensieve.com

 

The rockiest limb of San Francisco.

If you've ever wanted to visit a heavily populated spot on a weekend and be nearly alone, I recommend Superbowl Sunday. It so happened that me and mine are no fans of the two teams which happened to make it to the big game - so we headed for the San Francisco coast. I had packed my camera to catch some shoreline views of Cliff House and other icons in the ruddy light of a great sunset when I realized I had left my memory card on the desk at home. Of course I didn't realize this until about five minutes after I had been shooting, all the while oblivious to my camera's warnings of "Demo Mode" after each shot. I guess we see what we want to see sometimes, or rather, we fail to see what we don't want to see; needless to say I felt quite foolish.

Despite this setback, I managed to find, tucked into the very bottom of a camera bag in my trunk, an older card that did the trick later in the evening. Now, the moon and Jupiter would have been just as brilliant, the cypress as dramatic a frame and the heavens the same saturated palette of purples, oranges and blues; but these sights would have been mine alone were it not for that small piece of plastic, copper and silicon tucked serendipitously into the nylon of my "hey-I'll-bring-my-camera-for-the-fun-of-it" bag. Instead, that bit of luck means I get to relive a piece of those moments in my photographs and share a piece of that good fortune with you!

 

While the rest of the world watched football, I took the footpath from the Great Highway, through tall, stately conifers to where the great tempest of the Pacific tears it's fringes to foam on the crags and sand of Land's End. I grew up near a city whose fresh water front was preserved through the foresight of a man named Burnham and moved near a city whose coastline is preserved through force of nature. No industry, no factory, no pier will gain purchase where the wind and surf turn granite to sand. So lucky are the people who have this magical spot where the Monterey Cypress frame Luna and Jove on a field of violet as the last rays of our star are refracted through the upper atmosphere. I had to act quickly and use a high ISO in order to catch the moon and Jupiter peeping through the windows made by the cypress branches.

 

Through the knotted trunks, the waning daystar left it's stain of amber upon the horizon and called a host of cargo vessels to slide past the rusty orange guardian of the San Francisco strait and steam toward the bosom of the great sea.

 

Cold, merciless and tumultuous - one might wonder why we hold onto that famous Magellanic appellation when we don't have his eponymous straits as comparison. But, no matter how fierce it may seem from the coast, one cannot help but be pacified upon seeing the crescent and her fellow travelers' scattered reflections on the cresting waves.

Some background:

The Nakajima A6M2-N (Navy Type 2 Interceptor/Fighter-Bomber) was a single-crew floatplane. The Allied reporting name for the aircraft was 'Rufe'.

 

The A6M2-N floatplane was developed mainly to support amphibious operations and defend remote bases. It was based on the Mitsubishi A6M-2 Model 11 fuselage, with a modified tail and added floats. Despite the large central float and wing pontoons, the A6M2-N was aerodynamically a very clean aircraft: compared with its land-based A6M2 cousin, its performance degraded only by about 20%, and for a contemporary single engine floatplane its performance was outstanding.

 

The aircraft was deployed in 1942, referred to as the "Suisen 2" ("Hydro fighter type 2"), and intended for interceptor, fighter-bomber, and short reconnaissance support for amphibious landings, among other uses. However, when confronted with the first generation of Allied fighters, the A6M2-N was no match in aerial combat and rather employed in supportive roles.

 

Effectively, the A6M2-N was mostly utilized in defensive actions in the Aleutians and Solomon Islands operations. They were used with good efficiency against Allied positions: marking patrol elements, aiding warship guns, engaging convoys, and reconnoitering areas over-the-horizon.

The A6M2-Ns were also effective in harassing American PT boats at night, and they could drop flares to illuminate the PTs which were vulnerable to destroyer gunfire, and depended on cover of darkness. However, when Allied fighter coverage became more numerous and effective, the value of the A6M2-N dwindled and losses began to naturally mount.

 

In the Aleutian Campaign this fighter engaged with RCAF Curtiss P-40, Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, but the A6M2-N inventory suffered a severe setback when, on August 7th, 1942, a seaplane base was destroyed by Allied fighter-bombers, taking with it most of the available A6M2-Ns stationed there.

 

The seaplane also served in defense of fueling depots in Balikpapan and Avon Bases (Dutch East Indies) and reinforced the Shumushu base (North Kuriles) in the same period.

Beyond their use from dispersed and improvised bases, A6M2-N fighters also served aboard seaplane carriers Kamikawa Maru in the Solomons and Kuriles areas and aboard Japanese raiders Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru in Indian Ocean raids.

Later in the conflict the Otsu Air Group utilized the A6M2-N as an interceptor alongside Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu ('Rex') aircraft based in Biwa lake in the Honshū area, defending the Japanese home land against Allied raids.

 

A total of 327 were built, including the original prototype, before being halted in September 1943.

The last A6M2-N in military service was a single example recovered by the French forces in Indochina after the end of World War II. It crashed shortly after being overhauled, though.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1 (Pilot)

Length: 10.10 m (33ft 1⅝ in)

Wingspan: 12.00 m (39 ft 4⅜ in)

Height: 4.30 m (14ft 1⅜ in)

Wing area: 22.44 m² (251.4 sq ft)

Empty weight: 1,912 kg (4,235 lb)

Loaded weight: 2,460 kg (5,423 lb)

Max. takeoff weight: 2,880 kg (6,349 lb)

 

Powerplant:

1× Nakajima NK1C Sakae 12 air cooled 14 cylinder radial engine,

delivering 950 hp (709 kW) at 4,200 m (13,800 ft)

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 436 km/h (235 knots, 270.5 mph) at 5,000 m (16,400 ft)

Cruise speed: 296 km/h (160 knots, 184 mph)

Range: 1,782 km (963 nmi, 1,107 mi)

Service ceiling: 10,000 m (32,800 ft)

Climb rate: 6 min 43 s to 5,000 m (16,400 ft)

 

Armament:

2 × 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns in forward fuselage

2 ×20 mm Type 99 cannons in outer wings

Underwing hardpoints for 2× 60 kg (132 lb) bombs

  

The kit and its assembly:

This is a real world model, despite the weird looks (see below), and an entry for the Arawasi blog's "Japanese Aircraft Online Model Contest 005 - Japanese Seaplanes & Flying Boats" contest in summer 2017. Even though whifs were allowed to enter, I used the opportunity to build a kit I had originally bought for a few bucks and stashed away in the donor bank: a vintage LS Model Nakajima A6M2-N.

 

The mould dates back to 1963(!), and the kit was re-issued several times, also under the ARII label. You get a tiny box, with only two sprues moulded in a pale baby blue, and the number of parts is minimal. It's truly vintage and pretty toylike at first sight. Consequently, you have to face some real old-school issues, e. g. moulded markings for the roundels on the wings, general mediocre fit of anything and lots of sinkholes and flash. Then there are toylike solutions like the single-piece propeller or separate, moveable ailerons with bulging joints.

 

The cockpit interior is non-existent, too: there's just a blank place for a dashboard (to be cut out from the printed BW instructions!), and a spindly pilot figure which is held in mid air by some pins. Furthermore, the kit was designed to take a small electric motor in the nose (sold separately) to drive the propeller. Wires, as well as respective internal ducts, and an AA battery holder are included.

 

Sounds scary? Well, maybe, if you just build it OOB. But all these flaws should not keep the ambitious modeler away because the LS Model kit is (still) a sound basis to start from, even though and by today's standards, it is certainly not a match-winner for a rivet counter-esque competition.

 

For its age and the typical solutions of its time, it is actually surprisingly good: you get very fine engraved surface details (more delicate than many contemporary moulds!), a pretty thin, three-piece clear (yet blurry) canopy and, as a bonus to the elevons, separate flaps – a unique detail I have never come across before! Proportions are IMHO good, even though the cowling looks a bit fishy and the engravings are rather soft and shallow. Anyway, on the exterior, there’s anything you can ask for to be found, and as another bonus the kit comes with a beaching trolley, which makes display and diorama fitting easier.

 

Thanks to the kit's simplicity, the build in itself was pretty straightforward and simple. Cleaning the parts and checking fit was the biggest issue. Upon gluing the old styrene showed signs of serious reaction to the dissolving effect of modern glue: it took ages for the material to cure and become hard again for further work!? Weird…

 

The many sinkholes and overall displacements were corrected with some NC putty/PSR, the protruding elevon/flap joints sanded away as good as possible, and due to the wobbly nature of the kit’s styrene I added blobs of 2C putty inside of the wing halves as stabilizers.

 

Some mods and improvements were made, though. After cleaning the OOB propeller from tons of flash the piece turned out to be pretty usable, and it was put on a metal axis. A styrene tube adapter was added behind the relatively flat engine dummy, so that the prop can spin freely – for the later beauty pics, because no CG effect beats IMHO the real thing.

 

A cockpit interior was created from scratch and donor parts, using the new Airfix A6M model's cockpit as benchmark. It’s not an exact replica, because not much would later be visible, but I wanted, as a minimum, “something” inside. A better pilot figure was used, too, and strapped to the new seat with thin strips of adhesive masking tape as seatbelts.

 

Under the wings, the hardpoints were simulated with some bits of styrene and wire as shackles, but left empty Under the stabilizer fin I added a lug(?), made from thin wire, too.

 

The elevons were fixed in place, the seams to the wings filled with white glue in order to conceal the gaps as good as possible. The movable flaps remained, though, adding life to the model. The dolly was also taken more or less OOB, since it fits well. I just improved it with some sinkhole fillings and some other details, including cushions on the float stabilizers, made from paper tissue soaked with thinned white glue, and a towing bar.

  

Painting and markings:

The reason why I settled for an A6M2-N is mostly the weird paint scheme which can be applied, while still being a real world model: a lilac livery!

 

As far as I could find out, the A6M2-Ns initially carried an all-over IJN Grey livery, which was later, in late 1942, modified with dark green upper sides for a better concealment on the ground, and the Hinomaru received white edges for better contrast.

Anyway, during the Aleutian campaign and more or less in between these two major standards, several aircraft must have received a special camouflage with lilac upper surfaces, and this model depicts such a machine, based on various profiles but no color picture as reliable reference.

 

The sources I consulted, as well as pictures of finished A6M2-N models, show a wide variety of shades and paint scheme layouts, though. Upper colors range from pale pink through more or less bright shades of purple to a pale, rusty-reddish brown (maybe primer?), while the undersides show a wide range of greys or even light blue. Some depictions of Aleutian A6M2-Ns as profile or model even show a uniform wraparound scheme! Choice is yours, obviously...

 

Because of the corny information basis, I did my personal interpretation of the subject. I based my livery more or less on a profile by Michele Marsan, published in Aerei Modelismo Anno XII (March 1991). The unit information was taken from there, too – the only source that would provide such a reference.

 

My idea behind the livery and the eventual finish was that the machine once was fully painted in IJN Grey. Then, the violet upper color was added in the field (for whatever reason?), resulting in a slightly shaggy look and with the light grey shining through here and there in areas of higher wear, e. g. at the leading edges, cockpit area and some seams.

 

Painting started with an initial coat of aluminum under the floats, around the cockpit and on the leading edges. Then the undersides and some areas of the upper surfaces were painted with IJN grey. The latter is an individual mix of Humbrol 90 (Beige Green/RAF Sky) and a bit of 155 (Olive Drab, FS 34087). On top of that I added a thin primer layer of mauve (mix of ModelMaster’s Napoleonic Violet and Neutral Grey, Humbrol 176) on the still vacant upper surfaces – both as a preparation for the later weathering treatments (see below).

 

The following, basic lilac tone comes from Humbrol’s long-gone "Authentics" enamel line. The tin is probably 30 years old, but the content is still alive (and still has a distinctive, sour stench…)! I cannot identify the tone anymore with certainty, but I guess that it is 'HJ 4: Mauve N 9', one of the line’s Japanese WWII tones which was later not carried over to the standard tones, still available today.

 

Anyway, the color is a dull, rather greyish violet, relatively dark (a bit like RAF Ocean Grey), and it fits well as a camouflage tone on this specific model. Since there’s no better alternative I could think of except for an individual mix or garish, off-the-rack pop art tones, I went with it.

 

After overall basic painting was done and thoroughly cured, weathering started with a careful wet sand paper treatment, removing the salt grain masks and revealing some of the lower IJN Grey and aluminum layers. While this appears messy, I found that the result looks more realistic than artificial weathering applied as paint effects on top of the basic paint.

 

The engine cowling was painted separately, with a mix of black and a little dark blue. The propeller received an aluminum spinner (Humbrol’s Matt Aluminum Metallizer), while the blades received aluminum front sides (Revell acrylics), and red brown (Humbrol 160) back sides. Two thin, red stripes decorate the propeller tips (Decals, left over from an AZ Model Ki-78, IIRC).

 

As a standard procedure, the kit received a light wash with thinned black ink, revealing the engraved panel lines, plus some post-shading in order to emphasize panels and add visual contrast and ‘drama’.

 

Decals and markings were improvised and come from the spares box, since I did not trust the vintage OOB decals - even though they are in so far nice that the sheet contains any major marking as well as a full set of letter so that an individual tail code could be created. Anyway, the model's real world benchmark did not carry any numeric or letter code, just Hinomaru in standard positions and a horizontal, white-and-red stripe on the fin.

 

The roundels actually belong to a JSDAF F-4EJ, some stencils come from a leftover Hobby Boss A6M sheet. The fin decoration was created with generic decal sheet material (TL Modellbau). Similar stuff was also used for the markings on the central float, as well as for the yellow ID markings on the inner wings' leading edges. I am just not certain whether the real aircraft carried them at all? But they were introduced with the new green upper surfaces in late 1942, so that they appear at least plausible. Another argument in this marking‘s favor is that it simply adds even more color to the model!

 

The cockpit interior was painted in a light khaki tone (a mix of Humbrol 159 and 94), while the flaps' interior was painted with Aodake Iro (an individual mix of acrylic aluminum and translucent teal paint). Lacking good reference material, the beaching trolley became IJA Green, with some good weathering with dry-brushed silver on the edges and traces of rust here and there (the latter created with artist acrylics.

 

Close to the (literal) finish line, some soot and oil stains were added with graphite and Tamiya's 'Smoke', and the kit finally received a coat of matt acrylic varnish (Italeri); to the varnish on the engine cover a bit of gloss varnish was added, for a sheen finish.

  

In the end, quite a challenging build. Not a winner, but …different. Concerning the LS Model kit as such, I must say that - despite its age of more than 50 years now - the A6M2-N model is still a worthwhile offer, if you invest some effort. Sure, there are certainly better 1:72 options available (e. g. the Hasegawa kit, its mould was created in 1995 and should be light years ahead concerning detail and fit. Not certain about the Revell/Frog and Jo-Han alternatives, though), but tackling this simple, vintage kit was fun in itself. And, based on what you get out of the little box, the result is not bad at all!

 

Beyond the technical aspects, I am also pleased with the visual result of the build. At first glance, this antiquity looks pretty convincing. And the disputable, strange lilac tone really makes this A6M2-N model …outstanding. Even though I still wonder what might have been the rationale behind this tone? The only thing I could imagine is a dedicated scheme for missions at dusk/dawn, similar to the pink RAF recce Spitfires in early WWII? It would be plausible, though, since the A6M2-Ns were tasked with nocturnal reconnoitre and ground attack missions.

After the latest setback, I'm starting to walk out of the village again and to one of my favourite places, Butterfly Lane.

 

Web_2024-07-16-7164222

Wikipedia

 

Neolithic

 

The region of present-day Portugal was inhabited by Neanderthals and then by Homo sapiens, who roamed the border-less region of the northern Iberian peninsula.[5] These were subsistence societies that, although they did not establish prosperous settlements, did establish organized societies. Neolithic Portugal experimented with domestication of herding animals, the raising of some cereal crops and pluvial or marine fishing.[5]

 

Early in the first millennium BC, several waves of Celts invaded Portugal from central Europe and inter-married with the local populations, forming different ethnic groups, with many tribes. Chief among these tribes were the Calaicians or Gallaeci of northern Portugal, the Lusitanians of central Portugal, the Celtici of Alentejo, and the Cynetes or Conii of the Algarve. Among the lesser tribes or sub-divisions were the Bracari, Coelerni, Equaesi, Grovii, Interamici, Leuni, Luanqui, Limici, Narbasi, Nemetati, Paesuri, Quaquerni, Seurbi, Tamagani, Tapoli, Turduli, Turduli Veteres, Turdulorum Oppida, Turodi, and Zoelae.

 

There were in the southern part the country, some small, semi-permanent commercial coastal settlements founded by Phoenicians-Carthaginians (such as Tavira, in the Algarve).

 

The Tartessian language from the southwest of the Iberian peninsula, which John T. Koch has claimed to be able to translate, has been accepted by philologists and other linguists as the first attested Celtic language.[6][7] From later 2011, Tartessian was classified as a Celtic language[8][9][10] based on linguistic arguments from John T. Koch.[6][11][12] Prior to later 2011, the linguistic mainstream continued to treat Tartessian as an unclassified language,[13][14] and Koch's view of the evolution of Celtic was not then generally accepted.

 

Roman Lusitania and Gallaecia

 

The first Roman invasion of the Iberian Peninsula occurred in 219 BC. Within 200 years, almost the entire peninsula had been annexed to the Roman Republic. The Carthaginians, Rome's adversary in the Punic Wars, were expelled from their coastal colonies.

 

The Roman conquest of what is now part of modern day Portugal took several decades: it started from the south, where the Romans found friendly natives, the Conii. It suffered a severe setback in 150 BC, when a rebellion began in the north. The Lusitanians and other native tribes, under the leadership of Viriathus, wrested control of all of the Portuguese land. Rome sent numerous legions and its best generals to Lusitania to quell the rebellion, but to no avail — the Lusitanians kept conquering territory. The Roman leaders decided to change their strategy. They bribed Viriathus's ambassador to kill his own leader. In 139 BC, Viriathus was assassinated, and the resistance was soon over.

 

Rome installed a colonial regime. During this period, Lusitania grew in prosperity and many of modern day Portugal's cities and towns were founded. The complete Romanization of Portugal, intensified during the rule of Augustus, took three centuries and was stronger in Southern Portugal, most of which were administrative dependencies of the Roman city of Pax Julia, currently known as Beja. The city was named Pax Julia in honour of Julius Caesar and to celebrate peace in Lusitania. Augustus renamed it Pax Augusta, but the early name prevailed. In 27 BC, Lusitania gained the status of Roman province. Later, a northern province of Lusitania was formed, known as Gallaecia, with capital in Bracara Augusta, today's Braga.

 

Numerous Roman sites are scattered around present-day Portugal, some urban remains are quite large, like Conimbriga and Mirobriga. Several works of engineering, such as baths, temples, bridges, roads, circus, theatres and layman's homes are preserved throughout the country. Coins, some of which coined in Portuguese land, sarcophagus and ceramics are numerous. Contemporary historians include Paulus Orosius (c. 375-418)[15] and Hydatius (c. 400–469), bishop of Aquae Flaviae, who reported on the final years of the roman rule and arrival of the Germanic tribes.

 

Germanic kingdoms (5th–7th centuries)

 

In the early 5th century, Germanic tribes invaded the peninsula, namely the Suevi, the Vandals (Silingi and Hasdingi) and their allies, the Sarmatian Alans. Only the kingdom of the Suevi (Quadi and Marcomanni) endured after the arrival of another wave of Germanic invaders, the Visigoths, who conquered all of the Iberian Peninsula and expelled or partially integrated the Vandals and the Alans. The Visigoths eventually conquered the Suevi kingdom and its capital city Bracara in 584–585.

 

The Germanic tribe of the Buri also accompanied the Suevi in their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula and colonization of Gallaecia (modern northern Portugal and Galicia). The Buri settled in the region between the rivers Cávado and Homem, in the area known as thereafter as Terras de Boiro or Terras de Bouro (Lands of the Buri).[16]

 

Other minor influences from this period include some 5th century vestiges of Alan settlement, which were found in Alenquer, Coimbra and even Lisbon.

 

Moorish Rules and the Reconquista (711–1249)

 

Landing near Algeciras in the spring of 711, the Islamic Moors (mainly Berbers with some Arabs) from North Africa invaded the Iberian Peninsula.,[18] destroying the Visigothic Kingdom. Many of the ousted Gothic nobles took refuge in the unconquered north Asturian highlands. From there they aimed to reconquer their lands from the Moors: this war of reconquest is known in Portuguese (and Spanish) as the Reconquista.

 

In 868, Count Vímara Peres reconquered and governed the region between the rivers Minho and Douro. The county was then known as Portucale (i.e., Portugal).

 

While it had its origins as a dependency of the Kingdom of León, Portugal occasionally gained de facto independence during weak Leonese reigns.

 

Portugal gained its first de jure independence (as the Kingdom of Galicia and Portugal) in 1065 under the rule of Garcia II. Because of feudal power struggles, Portuguese and Galician nobles rebelled. In 1072, the country rejoined León under Garcia II's brother Alfonso VI of León.

 

In 1095, Portugal separated almost completely from the Kingdom of Galicia. Its territories consisting largely of mountain, moorland and forest were bounded on the north by the Minho, on the south by the Mondego River.

 

Independence

 

At the end of the 11th century, the Burgundian knight Henry became count of Portugal and defended his independence, merging the County of Portucale and the County of Coimbra. Henry declared independence for Portugal while a civil war raged between León and Castile.

 

Henry died without achieving his aims. His son, Afonso Henriques, took control of the county. The city of Braga, the unofficial Catholic centre of the Iberian Peninsula, faced new competition from other regions. Lords of the cities of Coimbra and Porto (then Portucale) with Braga's clergy demanded the independence of the renewed county.

 

Portugal traces its national origin to 24 June 1128, with the Battle of São Mamede. Afonso proclaimed himself first Prince of Portugal and in 1139 the first King of Portugal. By 1143, with the assistance of a representative of the Holy See at the conference of Zamora, Portugal was formally recognized as independent, with the prince recognized as Dux Portucalensis. In 1179 Afonso I was declared, by the Pope, as king. After the Battle of São Mamede, the first capital of Portugal was Guimarães from which the first king ruled. Later, when Portugal was already officially independent, he ruled from Coimbra.

 

Affirmation of Portugal

 

From 1249 to 1250 the Algarve, the southernmost region, was finally re-conquered by Portugal from the Moors. In 1255 the capital shifted to Lisbon.[19] Neighboring Spain would not complete their Reconquista until 1492 almost 250 years later.[20]

 

Portugal's land-based boundaries have been notably stable in history. The border with Spain has remained almost unchanged since the 13th century. The Treaty of Windsor (1386) created an alliance between Portugal and England that remains in effect to this day. Since early times, fishing and overseas commerce have been the main economic activities. Henry the Navigator's interest in exploration together with some technological developments in navigation made Portugal's expansion possible and led to great advances in geographic, mathematical, scientific knowledge and technology, more specifically naval technology.

 

Naval exploration and Portuguese Empire (15th-16th centuries)

 

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal was a leading European power, ranking with England, France and Spain in terms of economic, political, and cultural influence. Though not predominant in European affairs, Portugal did have an extensive colonial trading empire throughout the world backed by a powerful thalassocracy.

 

July 25, 1415 marked the beginning of the Portuguese Empire, when the Portuguese Armada departed to the rich trade Islamic centre of Ceuta in North Africa with King John I and his wife Phillipa of Lancaster and their sons Prince Duarte (future king), Prince Pedro, Prince Henry the Navigator (born in Porto in 1394) and Prince Afonso, and legendary Portuguese hero Nuno Álvares Pereira.[21] On August 21, 1415, Ceuta, the city on the coast of North Africa directly across from Gibraltar, was conquered by Portugal, and the long-lived Portuguese Empire was founded.[22]

 

The conquest of Ceuta had been helped by the fact that a major civil war had been engaging the Muslims of the Magrib (North Africa) since 1411.[23] This same civil war between the Muslims prevented a re-capture of Ceuta from the Portuguese, when Muhammad IX, the Left-Handed King of Granada, laid siege to Ceuta and attempted to coordinate the forces in Morocco and attempted to get aid and assistance for the effort from Tunis.[24] The Muslim attempt to retake Ceuta was ultimately unsuccessful and Ceuta remained the first part of the new Portuguese Empire.[25] However, further steps were taken that would soon expand the Portuguese Empire.

 

In 1418 two of the captains of Prince Henry the Navigator, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, were driven by a storm to an island which they called Porto Santo ("Holy Port") in gratitude for their rescue from the shipwreck. In 1419, João Gonçalves Zarco disembarked on Madeira Island. Uninhabited Madeira Island was colonized by the Portuguese in 1420.[26]

 

Between 1427 and 1431, most of the Azorean islands were discovered and these uninhabited islands were colonized by the Portuguese in 1445. A Portuguese expedition may have attempted to colonize the Canary Islands as early as 1336, but Castile objected to any claim by the Portuguese to the Canary Islands. Castile began its conquest of the Canaries in 1402. Castile expelled the last Portuguese from the Canary islands 1459. The Canary Islands would eventually be part of the Spanish Empire.[27]

 

In 1434, Gil Eanes turned the Cape Bojador, south of Morocco. The trip marked the beginning of the Portuguese exploration of Africa. Before the turn, very little information was known in Europe about what lay around the cape. At the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th, those who tried to venture there became lost, which gave birth to legends of sea monsters. Some setbacks occurred: in 1436 the Canaries were officially recognized as Castilian by the Pope; earlier they were recognized as Portuguese. Also, in 1438 in a military expedition to Tangier, the Portuguese were defeated.

 

However, the Portuguese did not give up their exploratory efforts. In 1448, on a small island known as Arguim off the coast of Mauritania, an important castle was built, working as a feitoria, a trading post, for commerce with inland Africa. Some years before the first African gold was brought to Portugal, circumventing the Arab caravans that crossed the Sahara. Some time later, the caravels explored the Gulf of Guinea which lead to the discovery of several uninhabited islands: Cape Verde, Fernão Póo, São Tomé, Príncipe and Annobón.[28]

 

On November 13, 1460, Prince Henry the Navigator died.[29] He had been the leading patron of all maritime exploration by Portugal up to that time. Immediately following Henry's death, there was a lapse of further exploration. Henry's patronage of explorations had shown that profits could be made in trade which followed the exploration of new lands. Accordingly when exploration was commenced again private merchants led the way in attempting to stretch trade routes further down the African coast.[30]

 

In 1470s, Portuguese trading ships reached the Gold Coast.[31] In 1471, the Portuguese captured Tangier, after years of attempts. Eleven years later in 1482, the fortress of São Jorge da Mina in the town of Elmina on the Gold Coast in the Gulf of Guinea was built. (Setting sail aboard the fleet of ships taking the materials and building crews to Elmina on this trip in December 1481 was Christopher Columbus.) In 1483, Diogo Cão reached and explored the Congo River.

 

The New World

 

In 1484, Portugal officially rejected Christopher Columbus's idea of reaching India from the west, because it was seen as unreasonable. Some historians have claimed that the Portuguese had already performed fairly accurate calculations concerning the size of the world and therefore knew that sailing west to reach the Indies would require a far longer journey than navigating to the east. However, this continues to be debated. Thus began a long-lasting dispute which eventually resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Tordesillas with Spain in 1494. The treaty divided the (largely undiscovered) world equally between the Spanish and the Portuguese, along a north-south meridian line 370 leagues (1770 km/1100 miles) west of the Cape Verde islands, with all lands to the east belonging to Portugal and all lands to the west to Spain.

 

A remarkable achievement was the turning of the Cape of Good Hope by Bartolomeu Dias in 1487.[32] The richness of India was now accessible. Indeed the name of the cape stems from this promise of rich trade with the east. In 1489, the King of Bemobi gave his realms to the Portuguese king and became Christian. Between 1491 and 1494, Pêro de Barcelos and João Fernandes Lavrador explored North America. At the same time, Pêro da Covilhã reached Ethiopia by land. Vasco da Gama sailed for India, and arrived at Calicut on 20 May 1498, returning in glory to Portugal the next year.[33] The Monastery of Jerónimos was built, dedicated to the discovery of the route to India.

 

In the spring of 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral set sail from Cape Verde with 13 ships and crews and a list of nobles that included Nicolau Coelho, Bartolomeu Dias and his brother Diogo, Duarte Pacheco Pereira (author of the Esmeraldo) along with various other nobles, nine chaplains and some 1,200 men.[34] From Cape Verde they sailed southwest across the Atlantic. On April 22, 1500, they caught sight of land in the distance.[35] They disembarked and claimed this new land for Portugal. This was the coast of what would later become the Portuguese colony of Brazil.[36]

 

However, the real goal of the expedition was to open sea trade to the empires of the east. Trade with the east had effectively been cut off since the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Accordingly, Cabral turned from exploring the coasts of the new land of Brazil and sailed to the southeast back across the Atlantic and around the Cape of Good Hope. Cabral reached Sofala on the east coast of Africa in July 1500.[37] Later in 1505, a Portuguese fort would be established here and the land around the fort would become the Portuguese colony of Mozambique.[38]

 

Then they sailed on to the east and landed in Calicut in India in September 1500.[39] Here they traded for pepper and, more significantly opened European sea trade with the empires of the east. No longer would the Islamic occupation of Constantinople form a barrier between Europe and the east.Ten years later in 1510, Afonso de Albuquerque after attempting and failing to capture and occupy Zamorin's Calicut militarily, conquered Goa on the west coast of India.[40]

 

João da Nova discovered Ascension in 1501 and Saint Helena in 1502; Tristão da Cunha was the first to sight the archipelago still known by his name 1506. In 1505, Francisco de Almeida was engaged to improve the Portuguese trade with the far east. Accordingly, he sailed to East Africa. Several small Islamic states along the coast of Mozambique, Kilwa, Brava and Mombasa were destroyed or became subjects or allies of Portugal.[41] Almeida then sailed on to Cochin, made peace with the ruler and built a stone fort there

The two million Portuguese people ruled a vast empire with many millions of inhabitants in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. From 1514, the Portuguese had reached China and Japan. In the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, one of Cabral's ships discovered Madagascar (1501), which was partly explored by Tristão da Cunha (1507); Mauritius was discovered in 1507, Socotra occupied in 1506, and in the same year Lourenço de Almeida visited Ceylon.

 

In the Red Sea, Massawa was the most northerly point frequented by the Portuguese until 1541, when a fleet under Estevão da Gama penetrated as far as Suez. Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf, was seized by Afonso de Albuquerque in 1515, who also entered into diplomatic relations with Persia. In 1521, a force under Antonio Correia conquered Bahrain ushering in a period of almost 80 years of Portuguese rule of the Persian Gulf archipelago[43] (for further information see Bahrain as a Portuguese dominion).

 

On the Asiatic mainland the first trading stations were established by Pedro Álvares Cabral at Cochin and Calicut (1501); more important were the conquests of Goa (1510) and Malacca (1511) by Afonso de Albuquerque, and the acquisition of Diu (1535) by Martim Afonso de Sousa. East of Malacca Albuquerque sent Duarte Fernandes as envoy to Siam (now Thailand) in 1511, and dispatched to the Moluccas two expeditions (1512, 1514), which founded the Portuguese dominion in Maritime Southeast Asia.[44]

 

The Portuguese established their base in the Spice Islands on the island of Ambon.[45] Fernão Pires de Andrade visited Canton in 1517 and opened up trade with China, where in 1557 the Portuguese were permitted to occupy Macau. Japan, accidentally reached by three Portuguese traders in 1542, soon attracted large numbers of merchants and missionaries. In 1522 one of the ships in the expedition that Ferdinand Magellan organized in the Spanish service completed the first voyage around the world.

 

By the end of the 15th century, Portugal expelled some local Jews, along with those refugees that came from Castile and Aragon after 1492. In addition, many Jews were forcibly converted to Catholicism and remained as Conversos. Many Jews remained secretly Jewish, in danger of persecution by the Portuguese Inquisition. In 1506, 3,000 "New Christians" were massacred in Lisbon

   

Frame :*INDEPENDENT FABRICATION* gravel royal

Fork :*ENVE*

Headset :*CHRIS KING* inset7

Handlebar :*RITCHEY* venture max handlebar

Bar tape:*BROOKS* cambium rubber bar tape

Stem:*THOMSON* elite X4

Tire:*WTB* raddler

Brake:*PAUL* klamper flat mount disc calliper

Seat post:*THOMSON* elite setback

Seat Clamp :*DKG*

Jones, 1742-1803, came from a landowning family in Radnorshire, Wales. As a second son, a career in the clergy was expected of him, but, feeling art to be his true vocation, he rebelled. He succeeded in persuading the successful and well-connected landscape painter Richard Wilson, a fellow Welshman, to accept him as a student. Many of the works produced in Wilson’s studio at that time were derived from, or were strongly influenced by the painter’s recent travels through Italy. Jones was struck by the beauty of the landscapes he saw take shape around him, and formed a determination to see their originals for himself.

 

In the years that followed, Jones achieved some fitful success as a landscape artist in his own right. Almost from the beginning, there is a sharp distinction in style between the stiff formality of his public work, and the much freer and more relaxed manner of his preparatory sketches and other pieces painted for his own amusement. Of the latter, the landscape above, painted near his family home at Pencerrig, is a vibrant early example. By 1776, after suffering several setbacks, Jones was finally ready to prepare for his long-anticipated journey to Italy.

The Warwick Allerton - Chicago, a 25-story hotel, was the first building in the city to feature pronounced setbacks and towers resulting from the 1923 zoning law. It opened in 1924 at 701 N. Michigan Ave. The hotel originally had fourteen floors of small apartment-style rooms for men and six similar floors for women, with a total of 1,000 rooms. The Tip Top Tap operated from the top floor from the 1940s until 1961; the sign proclaiming its existence is still displayed on the building's exterior. Don McNeill moved his broadcast of Don McNeill's Breakfast Club to the hotel in 1963.

 

The Allerton Hotel was closed from August 1998 until May 1999 for a $40 million renovation. In November 2006, a partnership purchased the hotel from FelCor Lodging for $70 million. The new owners ended the affiliation with Crowne Plaza and, on February 2, 2007, renamed the property The Allerton Hotel. Further renovations were added. In March 2014, New York-based Warwick International Hotels purchased the Allerton and renamed it the Warwick Allerton – Chicago.

  

Frame:*black mountain cycles* mod zero

Headset:*cane creek* 110

Wheel:*shimano*105 hb-r7070 x *velocity* blunt ss

Tire:*panaracer* fire pro

Handle:*whisky* no.7 6f aluminum drop

Stem:*thomson* elite x4

Bartape:*fizik* terra tacky

Saddle:*selle italia* flite 1990

Seatpost:*thomson* elite setback

For more information on the American Standard Building, see this picture.

 

At the western gateway to the Bryant Park is the pink granite Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain, designed by Charles Adams Platt and dedicated in 1912. This was the city's first public memorial dedicated to a woman. Lowell was a social worker and founder of the Charity Organization Society. Charles Adams Platt designed the fountain.

 

At the western gateway to the Bryant Park is the pink granite Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain, designed by Charles Adams Platt and dedicated in 1912. This was the city's first public memorial dedicated to a woman. Lowell was a social worker and founder of the Charity Organization Society. Charles Adams Platt designed the fountain.

 

Bryant Park is 9.603 acres of public park bounded by Fifth Avenue, Sixth Avenue, 40th and 42nd Streets. The central building of the New York Public Library sits on the eastern end of the park.

 

While it was still a wilderness, New York's colonial governor Thomas Dongan designated this land as a public space in 1686. George Washington's troops crossed the area while retreating from the Battle of Long Island in 1776. Bryant Park was a potter's field from 1823 to 1840, when thousands of bodies were moved to Ward's Island.

 

The first park at this site opened in 1847 as Reservoir Square, named after its neighbor, the Croton Distributing Reservoir. In 1853, the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations with the New York Crystal Palace, with thousands of exhibitors, took place in the park. The square was used for military drills during the American Civil War, and was the site of some of the New York Draft Riots of July 1863, when the Colored Orphan Asylum at Fifth Avenue and 43rd Street was burned down.

 

In 1884 Reservoir Square was renamed Bryant Park, to honor the New York Evening Post editor and abolitionist William Cullen Bryant and in 1899 construction of the New York Public Library building began. The construction of the Sixth Avenue Elevated railway in 1878 had cast a literal and metaphorical shadow over the park, and by the 1930s the park had fallen into disrepair. The park was re-designed in 1933-1934 as a Great Depression public works project under Robert Moses, featuring a great lawn, hedges and later an iron fence.

 

By the 1970s Bryant Park had been taken over by drug dealers, prostitutes and the homeless, earning the colloquial nickname "Needle Park." From 1979 to 1983, the parks advocacy group, The Parks Council, coordinated a large-scale improvement initiative. Their efforts were ultimately succeeded by the Bryant Park Corporation, founded in 1980, with a privately funded redesign and restoration in 1988 under the leadership of Daniel A. Biederman. The new Park opened in 1992 with a Parisian feel, an English style perennial border garden, and seating for up to 3,000. Several dining spots including Bryant Park Grill, Bryant Park Cafe and 'wichcraft opened to accomodate swelling lunchtime crowds. In the summer of 2002, the Bryant Park Wireless network was launched, allowing free WiFi access. In 2002, the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation founded Fetes de Noel, a European-style holiday market, and added The Pond at Bryant Park, a temporary ice skating rink, in 2005. Today the park hosts the biannual New York Fashion Week, HBO's Bryant Park Summer Film Festival and ABC's Good Morning America Concert Series, and the New York Yankees "Pinstripes in the Park" among many other events.

 

For more details on the American Standard Building, see this picture. The American Standard Building was designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1974.

 

New York Public Library and Bryant Park National Register #66000547

American Standard Building National Register #70002663 (1980)

The Starrett-Lehigh Building at 601 West 26th Street between Eleventh and Twelfth Avenues and between 26th and 27th Streets in Chelsea, Manhattan, New York City, is a full-block freight terminal, warehouse and office building. It was built in 1930–1 as a joint venture of the Starrett real-estate interests and the Lehigh Valley Railroad on a lot where the railroad had its previous freight terminal, and was designed by the firm of (Russell G.) Cory & (Walter M.) Cory, with Yasuo Matsui the associate architect and the firm of Purdy & Henderson the consulting engineers.

 

The building features large setbacks, polygonal corners, and alternating bands of steel strip windows, brickwork and concrete floorplates, creating a striking effect described by architectural critic Lewis Mumford in 1931: "the contrast between the long, continuous red-brick bands and the green-framed windows, with sapphire reflections or depths, is as sound a use of color as one can see about the city." The modernity of the building's design made it one of the few American structures not designed by a major architect cited in the 1932 "Modern Architecture: International Exhibition" show of the Museum of Modern Art.

 

The Starrett-Lehigh Building was named a New York City landmark in 1986, and is part of the West Chelsea Historic District, designated in 2008.

 

(Source: Wikipedia)

 

Taken by: Emiel Dekker (emield.myportfolio.com/)

OK kids. I fixed the chest so you can taste more of my chalky flava and the edge of red shadow on my cheek... better?

 

© Laura Kicey

via Instagram ift.tt/29Erebw

For Sliders Sunday. HSS!

For Macro Mondays. September 8, 2014 ~ Pale.

 

At our breakfast table this morning was this ethereal vision!

 

Taken at The Regency, Laguna Woods, California. © 2014 All Rights Reserved.

My images are not to be used, copied, edited, or blogged without my explicit permission.

Please!! NO Glittery Awards or Large Graphics...Buddy Icons are OK. Thank You!

 

HMM, my Flickr friends! Thanks so much for showing up and sharing! I have been able to get to some of you and leave a

comment. I'll get to more of you, slowly, a little at a time. My arm improves a little each day and I don't want a setback!

 

What I discovered yesterday is that when my arm feels better, I forget to click with my

left hand! Then my arm starts hurting more again! 9-( I've clicked myself into a setback! 9-(((

Frame:*black mountain cycles* mod zero

Headset:*cane creek* 110

Wheel:*shimano*105 hb-r7070 x *velocity* blunt ss

Tire:*panaracer* fire pro

Handle:*whisky* no.7 6f aluminum drop

Stem:*thomson* elite x4

Bartape:*fizik* terra tacky

Saddle:*selle italia* flite 1990

Seatpost:*thomson* elite setback

Actually my first drive in the Mazda Grand Am GT RX-8 and video from my second stint in the car. Note, this was the first front engine car I had raced in a long time and more happy with the motor behind me in a Porsche or Prototype true racing car.

 

Dempsey Racing and Mazda Motorsport racing director, Jim Jordan, did an amazing job, we had two cars, and we had a excellent team, a few setbacks but finished mid pack. I ran 4, 90 minute stints and the heat and noise was pretty intolerable.

 

the car itself is based on a tube-frame chassis jointly developed by SpeedSource and Riley Technologies, and powered by Mazda’s three-rotor 20B Renesis rotary engine. The 20B three-rotor engine is a big part of Mazda’s Grand Am GT RX-8 program and it’s based on the engine used in the RX-8 street car, with some added power of course.

 

With its small size and light weight, the rotary motor is sure to be top notch on the racing circuit. It can rev to over 9,000 rpm giving it the distinctive 20B rotary engine sound. When you hear one these, it sticks with you.

 

Mazda RX-8 specs.

Engine20B Three rotor rotary engine (1,950cc)

Max Power 425HP @ 8500RPM

Max Torque 285 ft-lbs. @ 7600

Max RPM 8800

Dry Sump Lubrication

Bosch 4.3 ECU

GearboxEmco Daytona Prototype

Six forward gears and one reverse

Ring and Pinion 10/35

BodyworkAll carbon fiber

73.5 inch width

174 inch length

SuspensionDymanic Suspension DSSV shocks

Front and Rear adjustable anti-roll bars

18x11 Racing Hart wheel front with 285/645-18 Pirelli Racing tire

18x11.5 Racing Hart wheel rear with 305/660-18 Pirelli Racing tire

BrakesDual master cylinders with balance bar

Four piston Alcon front and rear calipers

Cast iron vented Alcon rotors front and rear

Pagid racing brake pads

.surly krampus 29+ .specialized chisel 29" .chris king pink .nextie 35mm carbon .surly knard 3.0 .sram xx1 .absolut black 32t .shimano xt .enve setback .salsa liplock .fizik antares .enve stem .answer 20/20 .esi xtra chunky grips .avix x.0

Built in 1990, this post-modern building is topped with several setbacks and a high decorative tower, making it one of the most distinctive of Toronto's tallest skyscrapers.