Author: Ms. R.

The Battle of Cedynia (also known as the Battle of Zehden) may have been long forgotten outside Poland, but mention of this historic battle still invokes a sense of pride in many Poles today. Fought in 972 between the armies of Mieszko I, the first ruler of Poland, and Odo I, the Margrave of Lusatia, the Battle of Cedynia was one of the earliest conflicts in the history of the Polish state and resulted in a decisive victory over……

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As a patriotic artist, John Trumbull participated in the American Revolutionary War and developed a close friendship with George Washington. Jonathan Trumbull, his father, held the office of governor in Connecticut during the Revolution. Trumbull painted many famous works including “Declaration of Independence” and “The Battle of Bunker’s Hill,” as well as portraits of George Washington, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. Trumbull also served as president of the American Academy of the Fine Arts in New York City. Yale University Art……

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On the side of a state road, beside an unassuming industrial building, one suddenly encounters a small Statue of Liberty atop a steel base. A plaque with little detailed information besides the name and artist greets visitors approaching from the parking lot.  “Liberty Enlightening the World” is the full name of the real Statue of Liberty, unveiled in New York in 1886, created by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. As it turns out, this particular statue is a……

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Located in the northern Tbilisi suburb of Dighomi is this former Archaeology Museum of Tbilisi.  The distinct Brutalist design, by Shota Kavlashvili and Shota Gvantseladze, is said to resemble the entrance to a cave, with stairs leading up to it. Completed in 1988, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, there is little confirmed information about why it was closed to the public.         …

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On an afternoon in September 1784, an air balloon piloted by Italian Vincenzo Lunardi had to make an unusual pitstop — for the sake of a furry companion. Lunardi took off in a hydrogen balloon from the grounds of the Royal Artillery in central London, with a dog, a cat, and a pigeon in a cage. The balloon travelled northwards but Lunardi had to make a stop due to his feline companion’s inability to take to air travel so……

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Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps. Paul Stewart grew up in the early 1930s as a Black kid who loved nothing more than playing “Cowboys and Indians” with his friends. He daydreamed about life in the Wild West. That idea of living with no rules and riding from town to town with just his trusty horse by his side. Though he was just a kid in small town Iowa, he imagined himself in……

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Seward Park is a well-used and popular park due to its playground and scenic biking/walking path which outlines the peninsula; but few know that the park’s interior is a real old-growth forest and contains some of the area’s oldest trees. A forest is said to be “old-growth” when it has not been impacted by serious disruptions such as logging. These forests are ecologically distinct from forests regrown after their destruction, as they typically have far greater biodiversity, a lower……

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The underground mills of Col des Roches are a fascinating and unique site. Here, huge water-powered mills were built into the natural karst caves in the 17th century.  You can visit the caves and descend down to see the three levels of mill, from the giant waterwheel driven by the waters of the Bied River down to the position of the old sawmill.  The audio guide, included in the ticket price and available in German, French, Italian, and English,……

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Hulen (“The Cave”) in Bergen is a bar and nightclub operated by students on a volunteer basis, and holds the title of Northern Europe’s oldest rock club. Hulen was originally built during World War II as a bomb shelter and sits below Nygårdshøyden in Bergen’s city center. Deemed unnecessary years later, the shelter was converted into its present-day club form in 1969, officially opening on May 17. Despite a history of financial difficulties, Hulen is kept alive by a committed……

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