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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who wrote the novel Moby Dick?"
] | The 100 best novels: No 17 – Moby-Dick by Herman Melville (1851) | Books | The Guardian The 100 best novels: No 17 – Moby-Dick by Herman Melville (1851) Wise, funny and gripping, Melville's epic work continues to cast a long shadow over American literature Monday 13 January 2014 02.30 EST First published on Monday 13 January 2014 02.30 EST Share on Messenger Close On 5 August 1850 a party of writers and publishers climbed Monument Mountain in Massachusetts, during the American equivalent of a hike in the Lakes. Among the literati on this excursion were Nathaniel Hawthorne, 46, author of The Scarlet Letter ( No 16 in this series ), a recently published bestseller (although a term not yet in use), and the young novelist Herman Melville, who, after a very successful debut (Typee), was struggling to complete an unwieldy coming-of-age tale about a South Seas whaler. Melville, who was just 31, had never met Hawthorne. But after a day in the open air, a quantity of champagne, and a sudden downpour, the younger man was enraptured with his new friend, who had "dropped germinous seeds into my soul". Rarely in Anglo-American literature has there been such a momentous meeting. It was the attraction of opposites. Hawthorne, from an old New England family, was careful, cultivated and inward, a "dark angel", according to one. Melville was a ragged, voluble, romantic New Yorker from mercantile stock. Both writers had hovered on the edge of insolvency and each was a kind of outsider. A fervent correspondence ensued. Melville, indeed, became so infatuated that he moved with his wife and family to become Hawthorne's neighbour. Thus liberated, fulfilled, and inspired to say "NO! in thunder, to Christianity", he completed Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, in the spring of 1851. After an early reading of the manuscript, Hawthorne acclaimed it in a letter that remains, tantalisingly, lost. All we have is Melville's ecstatic response ("Your heart beat in my ribs and mine in yours, and both in God's..."), and, subsequently, a dedicatory declaration of Melville's admiration for Hawthorne's "genius" at the front of Moby-Dick (the first edition hyphenated the whale's name). So how homoerotic was this friendship? No one will ever know; it remains one of the mysteries of American letters. All we can say for certain is that, after climbing Monument Mountain, Melville adopted Hawthorne's idea of the "romance" as a mixed-genre, symbolic kind of fiction, and found his creative genius somehow released in the making of his new book. And that is everything, because Moby-Dick is, for me, the supreme American novel, the source and the inspiration of everything that follows in the American literary canon. I first read it, inspired by my sixth-form English teacher, Lionel Bruce, aged about 15, and it's stayed with me ever since. Moby-Dick is a book you come back to, again and again, to find new treasures and delights, a storehouse of language, incident and strange wisdom. Moby-Dick is – among some fierce contenders which will appear later in this series – the great American novel whose genius was only recognised long after its author was dead. From its celebrated opening line ("Call me Ishmael") it plunges the reader into the narrator's quest for meaning "in the damp, drizzly November of my soul". Ishmael is an existential outsider. What follows is profoundly modern yet essentially Victorian, spanning 135 chapters. It is a literary performance that is exhilarating, extraordinary, sometimes exasperating and, towards its apocalyptic climax, unputdownable. When Ishmael ships aboard the Pequod, his own quotidian search becomes inexorably joined to the darker quest, in which the captain of the doomed whaler, "monomaniacal Ahab", sets out to revenge himself on the great white whale that has bitten off his leg. This "grand, ungodly, godlike man", one of fiction's greatest characters – "crazy Ahab, the scheming, unappeasedly steadfast hunter of the white whale" – is not only pursuing his nemesis, a "hooded phantom", across the ocean's wastes, he is also fighting the God that l |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"In the cartoon Roobarb and Custard, what colour is Custard?"
] | Roobarb & Custard: When Custard was Grounded on the App Store Open iTunes to buy and download apps. Description Narrated by Tamsin Greig, this official Roobarb and Custard app includes new animations, interactions on every page, record-your-own audio feature and includes original music from the hit TV show. Roobarb is planning a magnificent model aeroplane race and invites all his friends to join in. Mole, Rabbit and Rookie all line up with their planes to compete, but Custard has made his own sneaky plans with the dodgy Bovver Birds to get his paws on the prize, a scrumptious golden sponge cake. Wonderfully wobbly classic cartoon Roobarb and Custard gets the digital picture book treatment in this adapted from TV appbook. Join the loveable goofy green dog and his pink feline foe in this highly interactive 24 page book. Features include: |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who was the 16th President of the United States of America?"
] | Abraham Lincoln | 16th President of the United States Home: Library: Lincoln, Abraham “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” - ABRAHAM LINCOLN Abraham Lincoln 16th President of the United States, 1809 - 1865 Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a log cabin in Hardin County (now LaRue County), Kentucky. He rose from humble origins and less than a year of formal education to become the 16th President of the United States, and one of the great men of American history. Lincoln was elected President on November 6, 1860, and led the United States through the nation's greatest crisis, the Civil War (1861-1865). He is credited with saving the Union from disintegration and eliminating slavery in America. Lincoln was a master politician, leading by persuasion and humor. He appointed three of his opponents for the Republican nomination to his cabinet, naming William Seward , Secretary of State; Salmon Chase , Secretary of the Treasury and later nominating him to be chief justice of the Supreme Court, and Edward Bates , who served as Attorney General. The war’s end was in sight on March 4, 1865 when Lincoln took his second oath of office as President. In his inaugural address he urged merciful treatment for the defeated rebel states. As Lincoln began his second term he worked tirelessly for the speedy “reconstruction” of the war-torn nation. On the evening of April 14, 1865 Lincoln was assasinated as he watched a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. He was the first American President to be assasinated. Thousands of mourners lined the tracks as his funeral train moved him from Washington to his final resting place in Springfield, Illinois. Newspaper publisher Horace Greeley said of Lincoln: “He slowly won his way to eminence and fame doing the work that lay next to himdoing it with all his growing mightdoing it as well as he could, and learning by his failure, when failure was encountered, how to do it better.” If you are aware of books, movies, databases, web sites or other information sources about Abraham Lincoln or related subjects, or if you would like to comment, please contact us . Resource Menu |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What is the correct term for a baby mackerel?"
] | Handling and Processing Mackerel Mackerel and poisoning Introduction This note gives information on the shelf life of chilled and frozen mackerel and describes the manufacture of smoked, canned and salted products from mackerel. The processing advice is preceded by a brief description of the fish, its life history, and the fishery in the UK, with information on the quantity and value of the catch. Scientific name The scientific name of the mackerel caught in the north Atlantic is Scomber scombrus. The scientific name of the chub mackerel, a related species found in warmer waters in many parts of the world, is Scomber japonicus. Other species of Scomber, and species of Scomberomorus, Auxis and Rastrelliger are also described as mackerel in many parts of the world. Common name The name mackerel is used in the UK principally for the species Scomber scombrus, but the name can also be used in the UK for any species of Scomber offered for retail sale. Scomber scombrus is sometimes called Atlantic, northern or Boston mackerel to distinguish it from Scomber japonicus, which is variously called chub, Pacific, or Spanish mackerel. A small mackerel is sometimes called a cock mackerel, a joey or a little boy in England, or a pinner in Scotland. Distinguishing features The Atlantic mackerel has a rounded, elongated body with two widely spaced back fins, the first with 11-13 spiny rays, the second with soft rays; the chub mackerel has 9-10 spines in the first back fin. There are 4-6, usually 5, finlets between the second back fin and the rail, and between the anal fin and the tail, There is a small keel on each side of the tail stub. The tail is forked. The back of the mackerel is a brilliant greeny blue, and the head is a steely blue-black with a small yellow patch behind the eye. There are 23-33 dark wavy bands across the back of the fish down to the midline. The sides have a silvery or coppery sheen, the belly is silvery white and there is a broken black line just below the lateral line. The scales are small and the skin feels velvety. There is a swimbladder in the chub mackerel but not in the Atlantic mackerel. Life history Mackerel are found in summer throughout the waters of the European continental shelf, continually on the move in search of food; they feed on small fish such as sprats and sand eels, as well as on krill and plankton. At the start of the winter the mackerel migrate to overwintering areas; these are not well defined, but three are known around the UK, one in the northern North Sea along the Norwegian Deeps, another along the edge of the continental shelf in the western Celtic Sea and a third close to the south coast of Cornwall. The first two are typical overwintering areas and are similar to those off the east coast of North America; the mackerel are mixed with other species, for example scad in the Celtic Sea and Norway pout in the North Sea. Off Cornwall the pattern is different; large shoals of mackerel with few other fish among them move close inshore into relatively shallow water, although separate shoals of pilchard and scad are found in the area. The Cornish stock of winter mackerel was unknown before the mid 1960s, presumably because it was not there, and it is assumed to be an unstable offshoot of the stock in the Celtic Sea. Should the unknown factors that attracted the shoals suddenly change, there is always the possibility that they may just as suddenly withdraw from the area; nowhere else in the north Atlantic are adult mackerel found in a comparable position. Mackerel do not feed while overwintering, but they are not totally inactive. They form large dense shoals near the sea bed during daylight, but rise and disperse during darkness. Occasionally they disperse for no obvious reason and reform hours or even days later many miles from their previous position. Mackerel begin to move away from the overwintering areas in the spring to spawn and to start their feeding migrations. Spawning begins along the edge of the continental shelf in southern Biscay during February. By late March spawning occurs thr |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which country does the football club Benfica come from?"
] | Urban Dictionary: benfica benfica n. Name of Portugal 's, Europe 's and the World 's biggest club. According to the Guiness Book of World Records: "The most widely supported football club is Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Portugal, which has 160,398 paid-up members. The record was acknowledged on 9 November 2006 during the celebrations for Guinness World Records Day. The team, better known as just Benfica or, by fans, SLB, has supporters in most municipalities of Portugal and in cities throughout the world, namely Andorra, Angola, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, England, France, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Luxembourg, Macao, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United States." Benfica is one of the most prominent clubs in Europe having reached the final of the UEFA Champions Cup for 7 times (2W/5L). It it often said that Benfica is bigger than the country in which it was born - and not without cause. Because of its size, illustrious history and enduring popularity at home and abroad, Benfica is also the most hated, vilified and secretly envied institution in Portugal. "I've never seen anything like it." - Giovanni Trappatoni Benfica A big European club situated in Lisbon, Portugal. It has over 15 million fans world wide. And it't the club on the Guiness Book of Records of being the club with the most members in the world. (165,000) Benfica hs been very successful over the years winning; 31 Portuguese league titles, 24 Portuguese Cup titles. Internationally they've won 2 Uefa Champions League titles (61 & 62), and they made it to the final another 6 times. Benfica has also made it to the Uefa Cup final once. Benfica plays in the Estadio da Luz (Stadium of Light) which was recently renovated (Euro 2004), and given a new nickname "A Catedral" (The Cathedral)...In important matches it usually fills up and fans like to turn it to "O inferno." (The stadium of Hell -towards the visiting team). Benfica's symbol is the Eagle. The club has an actual Eagle (named Victoria) that flies over the stadium before important matches- where the fans go wild!!! Some important stadium songs are "SLB Glorioso & "Ninguem para o Benfica." Benfica is the greatest club of Europe!!! |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who invented Dynamite in 1867?"
] | Alfred Nobel and the History of Dynamite Industrialist Alfred Nobel invented the detonator for dynamite and nitroglycerin Simon Battensby/ Photographers Choice/ Getty images By Mary Bellis Updated October 23, 2016. The Nobel prizes was established by none other than inventor Alfred Nobel . But besides being the namesake behind one of the most prestigious awards given annually for academic, cultural and scientific achievements, Nobel is also well-known for making it possible for people to blow things up. Before all that, however, the Swedish industrialist, engineer and inventor built bridges and buildings in his nation's capital Stockholm. It was his construction work that inspired Nobel to research new methods of blasting rock. So in 1860, the Nobel first started experimenting with an explosive chemical substance called nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin and Dynamite Nitroglycerin was first invented by Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero in 1846. In its natural liquid state, nitroglycerin is very volatile. Nobel understood this and in 1866 discovered that mixing nitroglycerine with silica would turn the liquid into a malleable paste called dynamite. One advantage that dynamite had over nitroglycerin was that it could be cylinder-shaped for insertion into the drilling holes used for mining. continue reading below our video Profile of Alfred Nobel In 1863, Nobel invented the Nobel patent detonator or blasting cap for detonating nitroglycerin. The detonator used a strong shock rather than heat combustion to ignite the explosives. The Nobel Company built the first factory to manufacture nitroglycerin and dynamite. In 1867, Nobel received U.S. patent number 78,317 for his invention of dynamite. To be able to detonate the dynamite rods, Nobel also improved his detonator (blasting cap) so that it could be ignited by lighting a fuse. In 1875, Nobel invented blasting gelatine, which was more stable and powerful than dynamite and patented it in 1876. In 1887, he was granted a French patent for "ballistite," a smokeless blasting powder made from nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine. While Ballistite was developed as a substitute for black gun powder , a variation is used today as a solid fuel rocket propellant. Biography On October 21, 1833 Alfred Bernhard Nobel was born in Stockholm, Sweden. His family moved to St. Petersburg in Russia when he was nine years old. Nobel prided himself on the many countries he lived in during his lifetime and considered himself a world citizen. In 1864, Albert Nobel founded Nitroglycerin AB in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1865, he built the Alfred Nobel & Co. Factory in Krümmel near Hamburg, Germany. In 1866, he established the United States Blasting Oil Company in the U.S. In 1870, he established the Société général pour la fabrication de la dynamite in Paris, France. When he died in 1896, Nobel stipulated the year before in his last will and testament that 94 percent of his total assets go toward the creation of an endowment fund to honor achievements in physical science, chemistry, medical science or physiology, literary work and service toward peace. Hence, the Nobel prize is awarded yearly to people whose work helps humanity. In total, Alfred Nobel held three hundred and fifty-five patents in the fields of electrochemistry, optics, biology, and physiology. |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"If you travel due East from New York which country would you made landfall at first?"
] | The First Voyage of Christopher Columbus (1492-1493) Updated March 14, 2016. The First Voyage of Christopher Columbus: Having convinced the King and Queen of Spain to finance his voyage, Christopher Columbus departed mainland Spain on August 3, 1492. He quickly made port in the Canary Islands for a final restocking and left there on September 6. He was in command of three ships: the Pinta, the Niña, and the Santa María. Although Columbus was in overall command, the Pinta was captained by Martín Alonso Pinzón and the Niña by Vicente Yañez Pinzón. First landfall: San Salvador: On October 12, Rodrigo de Triana, a sailor aboard the Pinta, first sighted land. Columbus himself later claimed that he had seen a sort of light or aura before Triana did, allowing him to keep the reward he had promised to give whomever spotted land first. The land turned out to be a small island in the present-day Bahamas. Columbus named the island San Salvador, although he remarked in his journal that the natives referred to it as Guanahani. There is some debate over which island was Columbus’ first stop; most experts believe it to be San Salvador, Samana Cay, Plana Cays or Grand Turk Island. continue reading below our video 10 Facts About the Titanic That You Don't Know Second landfall: Cuba: Columbus explored five islands in the modern-day Bahamas before he made it to Cuba. He reached Cuba on October 28, making landfall at Bariay, a harbor near the eastern tip of the island. Thinking he had found China, he sent two men to investigate. They were Rodrigo de Jerez and Luis de Torres, a converted Jew who spoke Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic in addition to Spanish. Columbus had brought him as an interpreter. The two men failed in their mission to find the Emperor of China, but did visit a native Taíno village. There they were the first to observe the smoking of tobacco, a habit which they promptly picked up. Third Landfall: Hispaniola: Leaving Cuba, Columbus made landfall on the Island of Hispaniola on December 5. The natives called it Haití, but Columbus renamed it La Española, a name which was later changed to Hispaniola when Latin texts were written about the discovery. On December 25, the Santa María ran aground and had to be abandoned. Columbus himself took over as captain of the Niña, as the Pinta had become separated from the other two ships. Negotiating with the local chieftain Guacanagari, Columbus arranged to leave 39 of his men behind in a small settlement, named La Navidad . Return to Spain: On January 6, the Pinta arrived and the ships were reunited: they set out for Spain on January 16. The ships arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, on March 4, returning to Spain shortly thereafter. Historical Importance of Columbus' First Voyage: In retrospect, it is somewhat surprising that what is today considered one of the most important voyages in history was something of a failure at the time. Columbus had promised to find a new, quicker route to the lucrative Chinese trade markets and he failed miserably. Instead of holds full of Chinese silks and spices he returned with some trinkets and a few bedraggled natives from Hispaniola: some ten more had perished on the voyage. In addition, he had lost the largest of the three ships entrusted to him. Columbus actually considered the natives his greatest find. He thought that a new slave trade could make his discoveries lucrative. Columbus was hugely disappointed a few years later when Queen Isabela, after careful thought, decided not to open the New World to slave trading. Columbus never believed that he had found something new: he maintained, to his dying day, that the lands he discovered were indeed part of the known Far East. In spite of the failure of the first expedition to find spices or gold, a much larger second expedition was approved, perhaps in part due to Columbus’ skills as a salesman. Sources: Herring, Hubert. A History of Latin America From the Beginnings to the Present.. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962 |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who wrote the poem The Owl and the Pussycat?"
] | The Owl and the Pussy-Cat - Poems | Academy of American Poets Academy of American Poets The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an annual series of poetry readings and special events. Since its founding, the Academy has awarded more money to poets than any other organization. browse poems & poets sign up to receive a new poem-a-day in your inbox sign up poem About this poet The British poet and painter known for his absurd wit, Edward Lear was born on May 12, 1812 and began his career as an artist at age 15. His father, a stockbroker of Danish origins, was sent to debtor's prison when Lear was thirteen and the young Lear was forced to earn a living. Lear quickly gained recognition for his work and in 1832 was hired by the London Zoological Society to execute illustrations of birds. In the same year, the Earl of Derby invited Lear to reside at his estate; Lear ended up staying on until 1836. His first book of poems, A Book of Nonsense (1846) was composed for the grandchildren of the Derby household. Around 1836 Lear decided to devote himself exclusively to landscape painting (although he continued to compose light verse). Between 1837 and 1847 Lear traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia. After his return to England, Lear's travel journals were published in several volumes as The Illustrated Travels of a Landscape Painter. Popular and respected in his day, Lear's travel books have largely been ignored in the twentieth century. Rather, Lear is remembered for his humorous poems, such as "The Owl and the Pussycat," and as the creator of the form and meter of the modern limerick. Like his younger peer Lewis Carroll, Lear wrote many deeply fantastical poems about imaginary creatures, such as "The Dong with the Luminous Nose." His books of humorous verse also include Nonsense Songs (1871) and Laughable Lyrics (1877). Lear died on January 29, 1888 at the age of 76. Although the subject and form of his works varies greatly, all of Lear's poems can be characterized by his irreverent view of the world; Lear poked fun at everything, including himself in "By Way of a Preface." Many critics view Lear's devotion to the ridiculous as a method for dealing with or undermining the all-pervasive orderliness and industriousness of Victorian society. Regardless of impetus, the humor of Lear's poems has proved irrefutably timeless. |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"How many rounds are there in an Olympic boxing match?"
] | Olympic Boxing Rules, Scoring and Judging By Andrew Eisele Updated October 12, 2016. What are the rules for boxing at the Olympic Games ? Several rule changes were made in 2013 that affected the Games from 2016 onward. These included allowing professional boxers to qualify, eliminating headgear for men, raising the minimum age to 19, and changing the scoring system. Qualifying for Olympic Boxing Unlike most sports, slots are limited for Olympic boxing and just because you qualified nationally does not mean you are going to the Games. Professionals qualify through their ranking and an international Olympic qualifyer tournament. Amateur boxers qualify for the Olympics through performances at regional tournaments in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Oceania, or at a world qualifying tournament. More: How to Become an Olympic Boxer Olympic Tournaments The boxers are paired off at random for the Olympic Games, without regard to ranking. They fight in a single-elimination tournament, with the winner advancing to the next round and the loser dropping out of the competition. continue reading below our video How Boxing Is Scored: Amateur Winning boxers progress through the preliminary rounds to the quarterfinals and semifinals. The two semifinals winners fight for the gold and silver medals, while both losing semifinalists receive bronze medals. Men's bouts consist of a total of three rounds of three minutes each. Women's bouts consist of a total of four rounds of two minutes each. There is a one-minute rest interval between each round. Contests are won by knockout or on points. Scoring was switched to the 10-point must system as of the 2016 Olympic Games. Scoring for Olympic Boxing Through 2012 Before 2016, Olympic boxing matches were scored by hits. A panel of five judges pressed buttons when they believed the boxer had delivered a scoring hit with a marked part of the glove on the opponent's head or body above the belt. The electronic scoring system counted a point when three or more judges scored a hit within one second of each other. Under this system, the total points at the end of the bout determined the winner. Ties were determined first by who took the lead with better style, and if still a tie, by who showed the better defense. Scoring for Olympic Boxing 2016 and Onward As of the 2016 Olympic Games, scoring is done with the traditional 10-point must system that is commonly used in boxing. Rather than the total points, each round is scored by the five judges and a computer randomly selects three of their scores to count. Each judge must award 10 points to the boxer they judge to have won the round within 15 seconds of the end of the round. The judging criteria are the number of target-area blows landed, domination of the bout, technique and tactical superiority, competitiveness, and infringement of the rules. The winner of the round gets 10 points, while the loser gets a lower number from six to nine points. Nine points would denote a close round, eight points a clear winner, seven points total dominance, and six points overmatched. After the final round, each judge adds their round scores to determine a winner. In an unanimous decision, all of the judges gave the same boxer two or more rounds. If there is a disagreement among the judges, it is a split decision. Fouls When a boxer commits a foul, he faces a caution, a warning or, in extreme cases, disqualification. Two cautions for a particular offense mean an automatic warning, and three warnings of any kind mean disqualification. Some of the more common fouls include hitting below the belt, holding, pressing an arm or elbow into the opponent's face, forcing the opponent's head over the ropes, hitting with an open glove, hitting with the inside of the glove and hitting the opponent on the back of the head, neck or body. Others include passive defense, not stepping back when ordered to break, speaking offensively to the referee and trying to hit the opponent immediately after the order to break. Down and Out During a bout, a boxer is considered down if, as a result |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"How many emirates make up the United Arab Emirates?"
] | United Arab Emirates country profile - BBC News BBC News United Arab Emirates country profile 28 September 2016 Read more about sharing. Close share panel The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven states that has grown from a quiet backwater to one of the Middle East's most important economic centres. Though traditionally conservative, the UAE is one of the most liberal countries in the Gulf, with other cultures and beliefs generally tolerated. Politically it remains authoritarian, however. Relations with neighbouring Iran have been tense because of an ongoing territorial dispute over Gulf islands. The UAE was one of only three countries to recognise Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Before oil was discovered in the 1950s the UAE's economy was dependent on fishing and a declining pearl industry. But since oil exports began in 1962, the country's society and economy have been transformed. The UAE has diversified and has become a regional trading and tourism hub. UAE firms have invested heavily abroad. See more country profiles - Profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring FACTS LEADER President: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Abu Dhabi President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who has a reputation as a pro-Western moderniser, was named as president by the UAE Federal Council in November 2004, shortly after the death of his father, Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan. Image copyright Getty Images Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Quwain - the seven emirates that make up the UAE - maintain a large degree of independence. The UAE is governed by a Supreme Council of Rulers made up of the seven emirs, who appoint the prime minister and the cabinet. MEDIA Image copyright Getty Images The UAE is a regional and international centre for TV and media. Dubai Media City and twofour54, Abu Dhabi's media zone, were set up to attract key international players such as Reuters, CNN, Sony and Fox. There is strong regulatory and political control of media content and even foreign publications are censored before distribution. With 8.8 million users, the UAE has one of the highest internet penetration rates in the Arab world. But it is extensively filtered; targeted content includes opposition politics and religion. TIMELINE Some key dates in the UAE's history: 1971 December - After independence from Britain, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujayrah, Sharjah, and Umm al Quwain come together as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan presides over the federation. 1972 - Ras al-Khaymah joins the federation. 2006 - First-ever national elections. A small number of hand-picked voters choose half of the members of the Federal National Council - an advisory body. 2015 - The UAE takes part in Saudi-led air strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What was the name of the experimental raft built by Thor Heyerdahl and named after an Inca Sun God?"
] | Heyerdahl - definition of Heyerdahl by The Free Dictionary Heyerdahl - definition of Heyerdahl by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Heyerdahl Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia . Hey·er·dahl (hā′ər-däl′, hī′-), Thor 1914-2002. Norwegian ethnologist and adventurer known for voyages such as the Kon-Tiki expedition (1947), in which he sailed a raft across the Pacific Ocean from Peru to Tuamotu to show that Polynesians may be of South American origin. Heyerdahl (Norwegian ˈhɛiərdaːl) n (Biography) Thor (tɔː). 1914–2002, Norwegian anthropologist. In 1947 he demonstrated that the Polynesians could originally have been migrants from South America, by sailing from Peru to the Pacific Islands of Tuamotu in the Kon-Tiki, a raft made of balsa wood. DNA testing in the late 1990s indicated that such a migration did not actually take place Hey•er•dahl |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"My Name is My Bond is the motto of which London institution?"
] | Urban Dictionary: my word is my bond my word is my bond It's a maritime brokers' motto. Since 1801 the motto of the London Stock Exchange (in Latin "dictum meum pactum") where bargains are made with no exchange of documents and no written pledges being given. "My word is my bond" as brokers say (or "my word, my bond!") |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What was the name of the bomb dropped on Nagasaki in August 1945?"
] | Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki - Aug 09, 1945 - HISTORY.com Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki Share this: Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki Author Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki URL Publisher A+E Networks On this day in 1945, a second atom bomb is dropped on Japan by the United States, at Nagasaki, resulting finally in Japan’s unconditional surrender. The devastation wrought at Hiroshima was not sufficient to convince the Japanese War Council to accept the Potsdam Conference’s demand for unconditional surrender. The United States had already planned to drop their second atom bomb, nicknamed “Fat Man,” on August 11 in the event of such recalcitrance, but bad weather expected for that day pushed the date up to August 9th. So at 1:56 a.m., a specially adapted B-29 bomber, called “Bock’s Car,” after its usual commander, Frederick Bock, took off from Tinian Island under the command of Maj. Charles W. Sweeney. Nagasaki was a shipbuilding center, the very industry intended for destruction. The bomb was dropped at 11:02 a.m., 1,650 feet above the city. The explosion unleashed the equivalent force of 22,000 tons of TNT. The hills that surrounded the city did a better job of containing the destructive force, but the number killed is estimated at anywhere between 60,000 and 80,000 (exact figures are impossible, the blast having obliterated bodies and disintegrated records). General Leslie R. Groves, the man responsible for organizing the Manhattan Project, which solved the problem of producing and delivering the nuclear explosion, estimated that another atom bomb would be ready to use against Japan by August 17 or 18—but it was not necessary. Even though the War Council still remained divided (“It is far too early to say that the war is lost,” opined the Minister of War), Emperor Hirohito, by request of two War Council members eager to end the war, met with the Council and declared that “continuing the war can only result in the annihilation of the Japanese people…” The Emperor of Japan gave his permission for unconditional surrender. Related Videos |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What part of the body is affected by Uveitis?"
] | Facts About Uveitis | National Eye Institute Eye care professionals may also describe the disease as infectious or noninfectious uveitis. What is the Uvea and What Parts of the Eye are Most Affected by Uveitis? The uvea is the middle layer of the eye which contains much of the eye’s blood vessels (see diagram). This is one way that inflammatory cells can enter the eye. Located between the sclera, the eye’s white outer coat, and the inner layer of the eye, called the retina, the uvea consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid: Iris: The colored circle at the front of the eye. It defines eye color, secretes nutrients to keep the lens healthy, and controls the amount of light that enters the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. Ciliary Body: It is located between the iris and the choroid. It helps the eye focus by controlling the shape of the lens and it provides nutrients to keep the lens healthy. Choroid: A thin, spongy network of blood vessels, which primarily provides nutrients to the retina. Uveitis disrupts vision by primarily causing problems with the lens, retina, optic nerve, and vitreous (see diagram): Lens: Transparent tissue that allows light into the eye. Retina: The layer of cells on the back, inside part of the eye that converts light into electrical signals sent to the brain. Optic Nerve: A bundle of nerve fibers that transmits electrical signals from the retina to the brain. Vitreous: The fluid filled space inside the eye. Causes and Risk Factors What Causes Uveitis? Uveitis is caused by inflammatory responses inside the eye. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to tissue damage, germs, or toxins. It produces swelling, redness, heat, and destroys tissues as certain white blood cells rush to the affected part of the body to contain or eliminate the insult. Uveitis may be caused by: An attack from the body’s own immune system (autoimmunity). Infections or tumors occurring within the eye or in other parts of the body. Bruises to the eye. Toxins that may penetrate the eye. The disease will cause symptoms, such as decreased vision, pain, light sensitivity, and increased floaters. In many cases the cause is unknown. Uveitis is usually classified by where it occurs in the eye. What is Anterior Uveitis? Anterior uveitis occurs in the front of the eye. It is the most common form of uveitis, predominantly occurring in young and middle-aged people. Many cases occur in healthy people and may only affect one eye but some are associated with rheumatologic, skin, gastrointestinal, lung and infectious diseases. What is Intermediate Uveitis? Intermediate uveitis is commonly seen in young adults. The center of the inflammation often appears in the vitreous (see diagram). It has been linked to several disorders including, sarcoidosis and multiple sclerosis. What is Posterior Uveitis? Posterior uveitis is the least common form of uveitis. It primarily occurs in the back of the eye, often involving both the retina and the choroid. It is often called choroditis or chorioretinitis. There are many infectious and non-infectious causes to posterior uveitis. What is Pan-Uveitis? Pan-uveitis is a term used when all three major parts of the eye are affected by inflammation. Behcet’s disease is one of the most well-known forms of pan-uveitis and it greatly damages the retina. Intermediate, posterior, and pan-uveitis are the most severe and highly recurrent forms of uveitis. They often cause blindness if left untreated. Diseases Associated with Uveitis Uveitis can be associated with many diseases including: AIDS Redness of the eye Sensitivity to light (photophobia) Anyone suffering eye pain, severe light sensitivity, and any change in vision should immediately be examined by an ophthalmologist. The signs and symptoms of uveitis depend on the type of inflammation. Acute anterior uveitis may occur in one or both eyes and in adults is characterized by eye pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, a small pupil, and redness. Intermediate uveitis causes blurred vision and floaters. Usually it is not associated with pain. Post |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who wrote the Hornblower novels?"
] | NLS/BPH: Minibibliographies, The Horatio Hornblower Series by C.S. Forester Home > Bibliographies > Minibibliographies > The Horatio Hornblower Series by C.S. Forester NLS Minibibliographies The Horatio Hornblower Series by C.S. Forester Content last modified December 2014 Introduction In 1927, C.S. Forester purchased three volumes of The Naval Chronicle from 1790 to 1820. For the Chronicle, officers of the Royal Navy wrote articles on strategy, seamanship, gunnery, and other professional topics of interest to their colleagues. The Chronicle for those years covered the wars with Napoleon. Reading these volumes and traveling by freighter from California to Central America allowed the germination of the character Horatio Hornblower as a member of the Royal Navy in the late eighteenth century. By the time Forester's journey brought him home to England, the former medical student-turned-writer had plotted Beat to Quarters, and it was published in 1937. A Ship of the Line and Flying Colours were published soon after, and in 1939 all three appeared as Captain Horatio Hornblower. Forester's interest in the Romantic period and the political and military maneuvers of the early 1800s continued, and the Hornblower saga was produced. Subsequent volumes in the series were sequels to the original trilogy or filled in its gaps. The episodic quality of the novels is due partly to their having appeared serially in magazines, primarily the Saturday Evening Post. Most of the books were written around the time of World War II, which influenced Forester to concentrate on strong military leaders and heroic deeds in the earlier world war he described. Hornblower's complexity has endeared him to readers. He is cynical but compassionate, courageous but not without fear. Self-conscious and socially unconfident, his marriage is a mismatch, and he finds himself in love with the Duke of Wellington's sister. Above all he is a consummate seaman, deserving of the loyalty of his men. The achievement of Forester, who led a quiet, contemplative life and suffered from serious illness, was that in conjuring up person, period, and place--rousing sea battles, eventual shore life, England, France, Central America--he made it easy for readers to believe they were there. In England, Beat to Quarters was published as The Happy Return. Captain Horatio Hornblower appeared as a motion picture in 1951. Following are the books of the Horatio Hornblower series in the order in which they should be read according to the Fiction Catalog, Twelfth Edition, 1991. Dates are the original dates of publication. All of the books listed are available from NLS network library collections. Mr. Midshipman Hornblower The early career of Horatio Hornblower of the British Royal Navy is traced in a series of adventurous episodes. They illustrate the quick thinking, brilliant intuition, and decisiveness characteristic of our hero and leave him with the rank of lieutenant. 1950 DB 26915 Commander Hornblower marries Maria in England and soon afterward sails for duty off the French coast. War breaks out with France, involving Hornblower in a land raid and in several sea battles. 1962 DB 46118 Hornblower during the Crisis, and Two Stories: "Hornblower's Temptation" and "The Last Encounter" Hornblower receives a promotion to captain and is relieved of his command of the Hotspur in this last-to-be-written and incomplete novel. When the new captain is court-martialed, Horatio is asked to testify. In "Hornblower's Temptation," which takes place before the events in Lieutenant Hornblower, an Irishman condemned to die wants Hornblower to undertake an apparently innocuous assignment. "The Last Encounter," truly the end of the saga, concerns a meeting with Napoleon in 1848. 1967 DB 41649 |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who or what may suffer from wind-sucking or crib-biting?"
] | Causes, Characteristics and Solutions for Cribbing By Katherine Blocksdorf Updated September 22, 2016. Whether called cribbing, crib biting, wind sucking, or aerophagia, this is a destructive habit in horses caused by boredom and stress and possibly stomach acidity that can lead to equine ulcers . Once the habit is learned there is no sure remedy for breaking it despite what you may read on websites selling herbs and gear. If you have a cribber, it’s certainly worth trying different things to try and control the habit, but at best, ‘curing’ a cribber is hit and miss. You probably won’t be able to stop a horse from cribbing in every situation. And, even if you do control it well, and then sell the horse, it many start cribbing gain in its new home. So, if you’re selling a cribber, you must tell the new owner that the horse has this vice . And, it’s important to remember that because a horse cribs it’s misbehaving. Like any addict, a cribber needs help controlling itself. Foals can learn to crib from their mothers and young horses may learn it from others. Before you buy a horse, pony, donkey or mule that cribs make sure you are willing to deal with the damage to fences, trees, and stables and cope with the possible health risks that may come with cribbing. How do I cope with a horse that cribs? There is no 100% sure way to stop cribbing, beyond surgery, but there are ways to cope. Here are some suggestions that have been tried by many people who have cribbers. If you are planning to buy a horse, you will probably want to avoid a cribber. If a horse is a cribber, it may actually be illegal to sell a horse and not disclose it is as cribber beforehand. Even if it is not illegal where you are, it is certainly unethical. Asking if the horse has any vices should be on your list of questions for the owner of any horse you are considering buying. If you do buy a cribber, be prepared to deal with the habit for the time you own the horse . Without drastic measures, such a surgery, a cribber will continue being a cribber for its entire life. By trying enough different methods of control, however, you may be able to manage the habit so that it’s not destructive to the horse’s home or itself. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What is the name of the helicopter used to transport the President of the USA?"
] | President Obama's New Marine One Helicopter Tools & Gear President Obama's New Marine One Helicopter President Obama is scheduled to receive a new Marine One helicopter sometime in late 2009. Now seven years into development, the Lockheed Martin VH-71 is outfitted with state-of-the-art defensive measures, secure communications, and crash survivability fuselage design. On-board encrypted videoconferencing capabilities will now allow the President to hold virtual meetings with military advisors, senior politicians, and other world leaders. Though the full-spectrum of security features is not being publicly disseminated, a general overview of some key features has been released. The new Marine One helicopter will feature the latest in radar warning receivers, incoming laser detection, and counter-measures to help evade a surface-to-air or air-to-air missile attack. The new VH-71 Marine One helicopter is 64 feet long. It is outfitted to carry 14 passengers and has a galley kitchen and a lavatory. The new helicopter has a range of 350 miles. By contrast, the old Sikorsky Sea Kings can only transport 10 passengers over a range of just 100 miles. A total of 28 of the Lockheed VH-71 helicopters will be phased in over a 10 year period to replace the Presidents current 19 helicopter fleet that is comprised of Sikorsky VH-3D Sea Kings and VH-60N Black Hawks. The Sea King is the helicopter model the President has most often been transported in for the last 5 decades. In fact, some of the individual aircraft in the current fleet are over 30 years old. The new Marine One helicopter project, being overseen by the U.S. Navy Air Systems Command, has been controversial for a couple of reasons. First of all, each of the helicopters will cost an estimated $400 million dollars, and 28 of them are being built. Secondly, though the helicopters are being manufactured by U.S.-based Lockheed Martin, the aircraft is actually a design sourced from Augusta Westland of the UK. The size of the new Marine One project budget is pretty amazing when one puts it into perspective... At $400 million dollars apiece, each helicopter costs more than the Presidents Air Force One Boeing 747. The development contract has ballooned from an original cost of $6.2 billion to more than $11 billion. This has happened in spite of the fact that the new Marine One is based upon an existing Augusta Westland EH101 helicopter design that has been in service for several years. Regular EH101 helicopters cost around $60 million dollars each, a mere fraction of the new Presidential helicopters price tag. Connecticut-based Sikorsky Aircraft has provided helicopters to American Presidents since 1961. So, it was quite a blow to Sikorsky when they were beaten by the Lockheed Martin/Augusta Westland team and saw their high-profile relationship with the Whitehouse slip away. But simply, the superior capabilities of the Lockheed/Augusta helicopter was the better match for the unique needs of the current President of the United States. |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What was the name of Francis Drake's ship in which he circumnavigated the world?"
] | Sir Francis Drake: Circumnavigation of the World Sir Francis Drake Circumnavigation of the World In Dec., 1577, he set out with five ships to raid Spanish holdings on the Pacific coast of the New World. He abandoned two ships in the Río de la Plata in South America, and, with the remaining three, navigated the Straits of Magellan, the first Englishman to make the passage. A storm drove them far southward; one ship and its crew were destroyed, and another, separated from Drake's vessel, returned to England. Drake continued alone in the Golden Hind up the coast of South America, plundered Valparaiso and smaller settlements, cut loose the shipping at Callao, and captured a rich Spanish treasure ship. Armed now with Spanish charts, he continued north along the coast, looking for a possible passage to the Atlantic, feeling it would be unsafe to retrace his course. Sailing possibly as far north as the present state of Washington with no success, he determined to cross the Pacific. He returned to San Francisco Bay to repair and provision his ship. He named the region New Albion and took possession of it in the name of Queen Elizabeth I. Then, crossing the Pacific, he visited the Moluccas, Sulawesi, and Java, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived at Plymouth on Sept. 26, 1580, bearing treasure of extremely high value. Elizabeth endeavored for a time to justify Drake's conduct to Spain, but, failing to satisfy the Spanish, she finally abandoned all pretense and openly recognized Drake's exploits by knighting him aboard the Golden Hind. Sections in this article: |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which capital city is closest to the Equator?"
] | What are three capital cities that sit on or near the equator? | Reference.com What are three capital cities that sit on or near the equator? A: Quick Answer Three capital cities that sit on or near the equator are Quito, Ecuador; Nairobi, Kenya and Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. Quito is located only 15 miles from the equator. Kuala Lampur is located just north of the equator, and Nairobi's proximity earned it the nickname "Green City in the Sun." Full Answer Quito is a city of over 2 million, as of 2015. The city experiences a spring climate for much of the year. Nairobi is the largest city in Kenya. It experiences two rainy seasons and a temperate climate, due to its location at 5,889 feet above sea level. Kuala Lampur is located on the peninsular portion of Malaysia, along the west coast. Its climate tends to be hot and humid. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What is the highest mountain in the USA?"
] | 20 Highest Mountain Peaks in the United States By Amanda Briney Updated October 02, 2016. The following is a list of the top 20 highest peaks in the United States. Notice that the highest point in the United States is Mt. McKinley in Alaska and the highest point in the contiguous (lower) 48 states is Mt. Whitney in California. (For reference, the state and mountain range in which the peak is located is included below.) 1) Mount McKinley (Denali): 20,320 feet (6,194 m) • State: Alaska 2) Mount Saint Elias: 18,008 feet (5,489 m) • States: Alaska and the Yukon Territory • Range: Saint Elias Mountains 3) Mount Foraker: 17,400 feet (5,304 m) • State: Alaska 4) Mount Bona: 16,550 feet (5,044 m) • State: Alaska 5) Mount Blackburn: 16,390 feet (4,996 m) • State: Alaska 6) Mount Sanford: 16,237 feet (4,949 m) • State: Alaska • States: Alaska and British Columbia • Range: Saint Elias Mountains 8) Mount Hubbard - 14,950 feet (4,557 m) • States: Alaska and the Yukon Territory • Range: Saint Elias Mountains 9) Mount Bear: 14,831 feet (4,520 m) • State: Alaska 10) Mount Hunter: 14,573 feet (4,442 m) • State: Alaska 11) Mount Whitney: 14,505 feet (4,421 m) • State: California 12) Mount Alverstone: 14,500 feet (4,420 m) • States: Alaska and the Yukon Territory • Range: Saint Elias Mountains 13) University Peak: 14,470 feet (4,410 m) • State: Alaska 14) Mount Elbert: 14,440 feet (4,401 m) • State: Colorado 15) Mount Massive: 14,428 feet (4,398 m) • State: Colorado 16) Mount Harvard: 14,427 feet (4,397 m) • State: Colorado 17) Mount Rainier: 14,417 feet (4,394 m) • State: Washington 18) Mount Williamson: 14,389 feet (4,386 m) • State: California 19) La Plata Peak: 14,368 feet (4,379 m) • State: Colorado 20) Blanca Peak: 14,351 feet (4,374 m) • State: Colorado • Range: Sangre de Cristo Range Reference continue reading below our video What are the Seven Wonders of the World (10 May 2010). Table of the Highest Major Summits of the United States - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_the_highest_major_summits_of_the_United_States#cite_note-N_Mount_Harvard-31 |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What is the longest river in Australia?"
] | Longest Rivers - Geoscience Australia Longest Rivers Landforms from Space Longest Rivers The lengths of the 10 longest rivers in Australia were re-calculated in September 2008 by Geoscience Australia using data from the National Topographic Database. The calculations confirmed that Australia's longest single river is the River Murray at 2508 kilometres. However, if the longest tributaries of the Darling River, the Culgoa, Balonne and Condamine, are taken into account its total length increases to 2740 kilometres, making it Australia's longest waterway. The National Topographic Database is a nationally consistent dataset containing a range of topographic features, such as relief and drainage, which has been captured and maintained at a scale of 1:250 000 for the whole of Australia. Use of the database to digitally calculate the longest rivers has resulted in more precise estimates than those available previously. River names in the database are acquired from the place names authorities in each Australian State and Territory or other authoritative sources such as the Murray-Darling Basin Authority . The use of official names only for the latest calculations has resulted in significant differences from earlier calculations. For example, the 1545 kilometre length of the Darling River is based solely on those river sections called Darling River in the database. Separately named tributaries have not been included because they are not strictly part of the officially named Darling River. As a result, the Darling River is now apparently shorter than previously stated. However, if its major tributaries, the Culgoa, Balonne and Condamine, are included, its total length increases to 2740 kilometres. It is important to note that the new lengths are still only approximations, because they have been measured from a cartographic representation of the rivers, rather than the actual rivers. These are the revised top rivers in rank order: NAME |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"How many avenues radiate from the Arc De Triomphe in Paris?"
] | Paris Arc de Triomphe Photo Gallery Paris Photo Gallery Arc de Triomphe Place Charles-de-Gaulle remains for many place de l'Etoile - 12 avenues radiate out from the Arc de Triomphe. The arch was built in honour of Napoleon's victories. At 50 m high and 45 m wide, the rooftop observation deck offers a spectacular view of Paris. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which remote island in the Outer Hebrides was evacuated in 1930 and is no longer inhabited?"
] | Tours of Scottish Islands | USA Today Tours of Scottish Islands The Shetland Isles are more than halfway between London and the Arctic Circle. (Photo: Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images ) Rail Travel From Glasgow to Edinburgh Scotland is a relatively small country with a total land area slightly smaller than that of Maine. A significant proportion of Scotland's total area, and a large part of the country's total coastline, is found in the many Scottish islands. From the major Scottish cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness or Aberdeen, you can reach Scotland's western or northern isles by joining a group organized tour, arranging a private tour or traveling independently. Inner Hebrides The Inner Hebrides are an archipelago of islands off the west coast of Scotland, distinguished from the Outer Hebrides by their relative proximity to the Scottish mainland. Tourism is a primary commercial activity on these islands, of which only 36 are inhabited as of March 2011. Some of the larger islands include Coll, Eigg, Islay, Jura, Mull, Skye and Tiree. Organized group tours of the Inner Hebrides are offered by operators based in Oban, Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you prefer to tour independently, the Inner Hebrides can be reached by scheduled ferry from Kintyre, Oban and Mallaig. You can reach Oban by national rail from elsewhere in Scotland or the United Kingdom. Outer Hebrides The Outer Hebrides, also referred to as the Long Island or the Western Isles, sit to the northwest of the Inner Hebrides and further from the Scottish coast. Fifteen of the islands that make up the Outer Hebrides are inhabited as of March 2011; there are approximately 50 more uninhabited islands of reasonable size. Tourism is an important source of revenue in the Outer Hebrides, as is weaving, fishing and small-scale farming. Visitors can reach the Outer Hebrides on scheduled ferry services from Oban or Ullapool on the mainland or Uig on the Inner Hebrides island of Skye. Some ferries operate only during summer months. Flights are also available between Hebridean islands, and from the Hebrides to the Scottish mainland. The Outer Hebridean island of Barra is the only airport in the world to use a beach as a runway for scheduled flights. Flight times are arranged to depart and arrive in Barra during the hours the beach runway is not underwater. St. Kilda St. Kilda is a group of islands some 50 miles west of the Outer Hebrides. Until 1930, a community of crofters inhabited the larger of these remote islands. As of March 2011, the village of St. Kilda is abandoned and the islands are home to massive puffin, guillemot, fulmar and gannet populations. Boat tours to St. Kilda operate from the island of Harris, taking approximately three hours to make the 50-mile journey between islands. On St. Kilda, tourists can birdwatch, explore the abandoned village and visit the permanent museum. Orkney and Shetland Orkney and Shetland are two large inhabited islands to the north of the Scottish mainland. Regular scheduled ferries and flights to Shetland and Orkney depart the northeast Scottish city of Aberdeen. You can join an organized tour to the Northern Isles from Aberdeen, or travel from Edinburgh or Glasgow via group bus and ferry. Independently, you can take a scheduled flight from Aberdeen to Shetland or Orkney with British Airways or using Atlantic Airways' summer service. Orkney and Shetland offer spectacular scenery and wildlife, many miles of coastline and heritage sites including archaeological museums and historical shipwrecks of Scapa Flow. References |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who was the first British Prime Minister?"
] | Prime Ministers of Great Britain political party 1721-42 Sir Robert Walpole - Restored confidence in the country following the South Sea Bubble financial crash of 1720. Dominated the political scene during the reigns of George I and George II. George II made Walpole a gift of 10 Downing Street. Walpole resigned as a consequence of his perceived mis-handling in dealing with the War of Jenkins' Ear . Whig 1742-43 Earl of Wilmington - Suffering poor health for most of his time as Prime Minister, he died in office. Whig 1743-54 Henry Pelham - During his time in the post he oversaw the the British involvement in the War of the Austrian Succession in 1744-48, the 1745 Jacobite Rising and the adoption of the Gregorian calender . He died in office. Whig 1754-56 Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle - Assumed the office of Prime Minister just 10 days after the death of his brother Henry Pelham. During the Seven Years' War, he was blamed for the loss of Minorca and was replaced by the Duke of Devonshire. Whig 1756-57 William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire - In a government effectively controlled by Pitt the Elder, Devonshire's administration was brought to end following the dismissal of Pitt by the king, it was replaced by the Second Newcastle Ministry. Whig 1757-62 Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle - Returning to office with Pitt the Elder as Southern Secretary, this government helped steer Britain to ultimate victory over France and Spain during the Seven Years' War. Whig 1762-63 John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute - A favourite of George III, he was the first Scot to hold the top office. Unpopular with the 'great unwashed', he introduced a tax on cider in order to help pay for the Seven Years' War. He resigned following fierce criticism of his handling of the peace negotiations. Tory The Duke of Wellington, Sir Robert Peel, Viscount Melbourne 1828-30 Arthur Welleslley, 1st Duke of Wellington - The second Irish-born Prime Minister and second veteran general, perhaps more famous as a soldier of the Napoleonic Wars than a politician. Is said to have commented after his first Cabinet meeting: “An extraordinary affair. I gave them their orders and they wanted to stay and discuss them.” He introduced the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, removing many of the restrictions on Catholics in the UK. Resigned after a vote of no confidence. Tory 1830-34 Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey - Famous for the blend of tea named after him, his political achievements included the Reform Act of 1832, which started the process of electoral change that we recognise today. His other legacies included the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire and restrictions concerning the employment of children. He resigned after disagreements over his Irish policies. Whig 1834 William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne - The last Prime Minister to be dismissed by a Sovereign, King William IV. Whig 1834-35 Sir Robert Peel 2nd Baronet - At the second time of asking, Peel accepted King William IV’s invitation to form a government. Head of a minority government, he resigned following a number of defeats in Parliament. Whig 1835-41 William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne - Returning to office for the second time, Melbourne found the new Queen Victoria much more agreeable than William IV. Tutoring the young queen in the ways of politics, they formed a close relationship. He resigned after a series of parliamentary defeats. Whig 1841-46 Sir Robert Peel 2nd Baronet - Returning to office for the second time, Peel introduced important employment laws that banned women and children from working underground in mines, in addition The Factory Act of 1844 limited the hours of work for children and women. Unable to feed a starving Ireland, he finally succeeded in repealing the Corn Laws. Conservative 1846-52 Lord John Russell, 1st Earl Russell - Russell was the last Whig Prime Minister. His Public Health Act of 1848 improved the sanitary conditions of towns and cities. He was in office at the time of The Great Exhibition of 1851 . Whig 1852 Edward Smith Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby - Co |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who did John Francis attempt to assassinated in 1842?"
] | The men who tried to kill Queen Victoria | UK | News | Daily Express UK The men who tried to kill Queen Victoria ON MAY 30, 1842, John Francis came close to making Queen Victoria's reign five years rather than 64. Standing on Constitution Hill with a flintlock pistol, Francis waited for Victoria and Prince Albert to return from a carriage ride through London's parks. By Paul Thomas Murphy 09:47, Sun, Dec 16, 2012 It was his second attempt on the life of the monarch. The day before he had pointed his pistol at the Queen's carriage as she and Albert had made the short trip from Buckingham Palace to the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace. He had hesitated and fled but three people, including Albert, had seen him. The police were now on the alert and so were Victoria and Albert : they boldly decided to ride this day in an attempt to flush him out. Their plan worked but not without a hitch. Half an hour before their return, PC William Trounce had spotted Francis but as the Queen's carriage rushed down the hill, Trounce was torn between his desire to show due respect to his monarch and his duty to protect her. He opted for loyalty, turned to face the carriage and salute and was deafened as Francis fired at the Queen at close range. Related articles Jenna Coleman admits it was 'impossible' to turn down Victoria role He thrust his pistol into her face but faithful servant John Brown knocked it to the ground Such was the lax state of royal security during Victoria's reign . A detail of the Metropolitan Police followed her wherever she went and her Prime Ministers and Home Secretaries added to that detail as a response to any threat but it was she who decided when and how she would travel. The day Francis shot at her, the decision to ride was hers, as was the decision to ride the next day among a crowd of thousands clamouring to congratulate her. Between the first attempt on her life in 1840 and the last in 1882, Victoria refused to let her assailants cow her and opted to find her greatest security among her people. HULTON ROYALS COLLECTION Threats to the safety of our monarchy are sadly nothing new Though her decisions might seem to us dangerous, foolhardy even, and run counter to every tenet of royal security today they ultimately served Victoria well, as she converted seven near-tragedies into triumphs. In the wake of each attempt on her life the public rose up to demonstrate its loyalty and affection. Edward Oxford, pictured above, was the first: an unemployed barman who dreamt of a career as an Admiral in the Royal Navy. In June 1840, frustrated that the world did not recognise his greatness he confronted Victoria and Albert on Constitution Hill armed with two flashy duelling pistols. Victoria was four months pregnant with their first child. Had either of Oxford's shots killed the Queen the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha line would have been erased but he missed and she rode on. Queen Victoria in pictures Thu, October 13, 2016 Queen Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) was Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Queen Elizabeth II's dresses on display at Buckingham Palace He got his wish, pleading guilty under Peel's act and suffered seven years' penal servitude and at the prison colony at Gibraltar before disappearing into obscurity in Western Australia. A year later, Victoria's fifth assailant, Robert Pate struck. He was the only one of the seven to harm the Queen. Well-known in London for his manic perambulations about Hyde Park, he interrupted one of these when he came upon the Queen's carriage inside the gates of her uncle's mansion on Piccadilly. 'He thrust pistol her face He pushed himself to the front of the crowd, knowing that when the Queen's carriage emerged he would find himself inches from her, and slashed his cane down upon the royal forehead, blackening Victoria's eye and leaving a welt. faithful John knocked the Victoria had intended to go to the opera that night. When her ladies-inwaiting begged her to stay home, she replied "Certainly not: if I do not go, it will |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who was the first person to cross the English Channel by aeroplane?"
] | Bleriot XI World's Oldest Flying Aeroplane - YouTube Bleriot XI World's Oldest Flying Aeroplane Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Nov 28, 2011 Copyright © 2011 Malcolm Auld This video and audio material may not be used in any form without written permission. The Bleriot XI was the first of Louis Bleriot's aircraft designs to be wholly successful. He proved exactly how successful a machine it was by several cross-country flights before thinking about attempting to cross the channel. Soon after 04:30 on Sunday 25 July 1909 Louis Bleriot took off from the French coast and forty minutes later he crash-landed near Dover Castle, to become the first person to cross the English Channel in an aeroplane. Following this success, Bleriot's monoplanes sold well and many flying schools adopted them as standard trainers. They were used in races and competitions and even in military roles. A Bleriot with the more powerful 50hp Gnome rotary engine was used for the first aerial post from Hendon to Windsor in September 1911. Today, the Bleriot is still popular as many Bleriot replicas are flying, some powered by original engines, others powered by more modern engines. Basically similar to the machine used for the Channel crossing, this machine (constructor's No.14) was one of the original aircraft at the Bleriot School at Hendon in 1910. It crashed in 1912, was stored under Blackfriars railway bridge and acquired by A.E. Grimmer who rebuilt and flew it. Richard Shuttleworth obtained it in 1935 as his first historic aeroplane. Richard demonstrated the Bleriot at RAeS garden parties in 1937, 38 and 39. It has also been seen at several Farnborough airshows and was present at the Farnborough 2000 event. Today, the Bleriot is restricted to straight hops across the aerodrome. However it is the world's oldest aeroplane with the earliest aero-engine in flying condition. Height: 8ft 5in Length: 25ft Wingspan: 29ft Engine: one 24hp Anzani fan Category |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"At Dettingen in 1743 who was the last British monarch to lead his troops into battle?"
] | King George II Was The Last Monarch To Lead His Men Into Battle | Historic Royal Palaces George II made Kensington Palace the centre of his court life George II fell out with both his father and his son He was the last monarch to lead his troops into battle in 1743 at the Battle of Dettingen George II at the palaces As Prince of Wales, George felt that he was unfairly treated by his father – not given enough money and not entrusted with the regency when his father returned to Hanover. Relations between father and son were so sour that George and his wife Caroline were thrown out of court by George I and even, for a time, kept from their own children. In retaliation, they set up their own rival court filled with opposition politicians. History was doomed to repeat itself. After George became King in 1727 (Handel’s Zadok the Priest was composed for his Coronation), George and Caroline’s glamorous son, Prince Frederick, arrived in England and in turn became embroiled in a battle of wills with his parents; he was eventually banished from court in 1737. In the first ten years of George II’s reign, Kensington Palace was the glittering centre of court life where politicians, intellectuals and fashionable people vied for favour. George and Caroline used Hampton Court Palace regularly after their accession in 1727, especially during the summer when the palace would be alive with the flirtations, scheming and bickering of courtiers. George II had many mistresses, most notably Henrietta Howard, one of his queen’s closest ladies-in-waiting who were known as Women of the Bedchamber. However, George was devoted to his wife and was devastated by her death in 1737. She had promoted writers, poets and philosophers and court life under her auspices was glamorous and engaging. After Caroline’s death, the bright and fashionable crowd was gradually replaced by a homely, ageing court residing in Kensington Palace which was by now half shut up and George increasingly focussed on his obsessive love of all things military. Earlier in his reign, George proved himself a good leader in battle and was the last British king to lead his troops into battle. Despite Kensington’s decline, it remained one of George’s favourite palaces right up until his death in 1760. George II's grandson, George III , was the next monarch after Prince Frederick died in 1751 without ever repairing his relationship with his father. George II, German School, (c.1735 - 40) Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014 George II on horseback (Battle of Dettingen) © National Army Museum / The Bridgeman Art Library You may also be interested in... |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"At the 1908 Olympic Games, City of London Police defeated Liverpool Polce to win gold - at what event?"
] | Olympic Gold Olympic Gold Olympic Gold The City of London Police struck gold for Great Britain in the 1908 Olympic Games held in the purpose-built stadium at The White City, Shepherd's Bush. These were the first Olympics to see the now traditional gold, silver and bronze medal awards. The medals won by the City Police, came from three events – the Tug-of-War (gold) heavyweight boxing (gold) and heavyweight wrestling (bronze). The Tug-of-War was an Olympic sport for only six games. Few people know that the City of London Police team won the competition in 1908, provided half of the joint City and Metropolitan team that won silver in 1912 (Stockholm) and again won gold in 1920 in Antwerp. Three City Policemen were in all three Olympics, thereby winning two gold and one silver medal each. Great Britain fielded three Tug-of-War teams in 1908. Great Britain I was the City of London Police team; Great Britain II was drawn from the Liverpool City Police; and Great Britain III was made up of policemen from the Metropolitan K Division. Teams were entered by the United States, Sweden, Greece and Germany. The Times of 18 July 1908 reported that the Great Britain II team (the Liverpool Police) beat the USA in the first pull of their competition. The Americans then objected to the Liverpool team's boots. When the objection was overruled, they retired from the competition. The Liverpool team then went on to beat the Swedes by two pulls to none. The Greek and German teams having scratched and the City Police having beaten K Division Metropolitan (by two pulls to one) the final was between Great Britain I and Great Britain II. Team I – the City of London Police – was victorious. The Swedes joined the Greek and German teams in scratching from the competition, leaving Metropolitan K Division with the bronze medal. The winning City team offered to compete against their American rivals in bare feet. The offer was declined! The City Police jointly with the Metropolitan Police won silver to the Swedish Police team's gold in 1912. In 1920, the City Police again fielded Great Britain's team and were victorious, not losing one single pull during the competition. As Tug-of-War has not featured as an Olympic event since 1920, the City of London Police remain reigning champions! In every modern Olympic Games the City of London Police has had a representative. In 2000, Pc Kate Mackenzie represented Britain in the Rowing Ladies 8's. This was her second Olympics. Share this Last updated 18 November 2013 You are here: |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who took Bonnie Prince Charlie disguised as a woman from Benbecula to Skye"
] | The Woman Who Saved Bonnie Prince Charlie – Lady Budd Bonnie Prince Charlie , Flora MacDonald 29 Comments Bonnie Prince Charlie Flora MacDonald The Woman Who Saved Bonnie Prince Charlie “…a name that will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour.” Engraved on Flora MacDonald’s memorial at Kilmuir Bonnie Prince Charlie Monument, Glenfinnan, Scotland Fionnghal NicDhòmhnaill was her Gaelic name, but most will know her as Flora MacDonald. She lost her father, Ranald MacDonald, at a young age and saw her mother abducted by and married to Hugh MacDonald of Armadale, Skye. From that moment on she was under the care of the chief of her clan, The MacDonalds of Clanranald. June 1746, Flora was 24 years old and living on the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. As fate would decree, she was in the right place, at the right time for the right reason. Bonnie Prince Charlie took refuge on that very island after the disastrous Battle of Culloden. The Hanoverian government had a firm control of the local militia, but the MacDonalds were secret supporters of the Jacobite cause. Captain O’Neill, the prince’s companion, asked for Flora’s assistance. The escape was simple, yet brilliant. Flora’s stepfather, Hugh MacDonald provided a pass to the mainland for Flora, a manservant, an Irish maid, Betty Burke, and six men to crew a boat. Bonnie Prince Charlie was Betty Burke. They managed to reach Kilbride, on the Isle of Skye where Flora arranged for help in the neighbourhood. The prince escaped, but Flora was arrested and imprisoned for a short time in the Tower of London. Flora MacDonald lived to see many adventure on both sides of the Atlantic. Yet, she will always be known, first and foremost, as the woman who saved Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Skye Boat Song recounts the daring escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie, disguised as an Irish women. Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing Onward, the sailors cry! |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"King Henry I reportededly died from eating a surfeit of .... what?"
] | Hunt for the grave of a medieval king: first check the car park - Telegraph Archaeology Hunt for the grave of a medieval king: first check the car park Philippa Langley, who led the search for Richard III’s remains, believes Henry I could also be buried under a car park It is thought that the remains of 12th century King Henry I could be located beneath a car park Photo: Alamy Follow Richard III may not be the only medieval king whose remains ended up beneath a car park, according to the woman who led the search for his grave. Researchers looking for the tomb of Henry I on the site of Reading Abbey believe they may discover the king in similar circumstances to those of his descendant. Some of the ruins of Reading Abbey remain, such as the chapter house, but archaeologists are trying to plot the exact position of the church. Philippa Langley at the Richard III funeral service (PA) Henry, who reportedly died of a “surfeit of lampreys”, is recorded to have been buried underneath the high altar — which may now be below a school car park. Philippa Langley, who led the search for Richard’s remains in Leicester, is involved in the project in Reading as well. “The exact location of Richard III’s remains was unknown, and here too we have a story of a king’s bones possibly being lost,” she told BBC History Magazine. Henry founded Reading Abbey in 1121 as a royal mausoleum and his second wife, Adeliza, was also buried there. The abbey was largely destroyed in 1539 during the dissolution of the monasteries. One tale suggests that workmen, possibly acting on the instructions of Edward VI, targeted the abbey in the 1550s. They were purportedly hunting for the silver casket in which the king was supposedly buried and his remains were discarded in the process. Cadets wheel Richard III's coffin on to the battefield at Bosworth (Reuters) Henry, like Richard, is a king afflicted by dark rumours. Just as Richard III was implicated in the murders of his nephews, the Princes in the Tower, Henry took the throne in 1100 after the mysterious death of his brother, William II, in a hunting accident. He also had his eldest brother, Robert, Duke of Normandy, imprisoned for the rest of his life. Mrs Langley said that while some historians believed Henry, who died in 1135, was a cruel usurper, “others see him as an enlightened and educated peacemaker”. She said: “The people of Reading want to tell this extraordinary story and I want to help to get it out there.” The Hidden Abbey Project will carry out Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) research of the area next year and dig test trenches to estimate the site’s archaeological potential. The team hopes that the imaging will reveal sarcophagus burials, including that of the king. The ruins of Reading Abbey (Alamy) “There is believed to be a pristine Cluniac abbey layout buried beneath the ground at Reading,” said Mrs Langley. “One of the main aims of the project is to confirm the exact positioning of the abbey church, as well as its size and structure. Sarcophagus burials tend to show up very clearly in GPR research and potentially we might be able to see several. “What’s really exciting is that we know that Henry was buried in front of the high altar, with members of his family buried in specific locations around him.” Mrs Langley said that while estimates of the abbey’s size suggest the burial spot is located beneath a school, if the abbey is larger, it could be underneath either a playground or a car park. What happens next will be the decision of Historic England, which is supporting the Hidden Abbey Project. Judith Green, emeritus professor of medieval history at the University of Edinburgh, said the research would be important. “It would be interesting to know how much of Henry’s body was actually buried at Reading, because he died in western France after eating lampreys — jawless fish,” she said. • Richard III: Leicester Cathedral and other royal resting places Prof Green said the body was taken to Rouen to be embalmed as the weather was too poor to return to England. “His intestines, brain and ey |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Desiree is a variety of what vegetable?"
] | Desiree Seed Potatoes and Plants, Vegetable Gardening at HeirloomSolutions.com Description Introduced from The Netherlands in 1962. In our garden, this is a must each year. The best red skinned, golden fleshed potato available. Moist creamy texture, an excellent choice for a general use potato. Heirloom Solutions reserves the right to substitute a similar variety in the event of a crop failure. More Information Ready to pick in 95 to 100 days Related Items |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Noble Rot is a fungus affecting which fruit?"
] | They Call It 'Noble Rot' Wine (Botrytis) | Wine Folly When a vineyard full of rotting grapes is a good thing. ‘Noble Rot’ or botrytis is a type of fungus that shrivels and decays wine grapes. Why would winemakers cross their fingers for rotting grapes? Well, there are a couple of amazing things that happen, but first, let’s find out what ‘Noble Rot’ is all about. ‘Noble Rot’ (aka Botrytis cinerea) is a type of Ascomycota within the Funghi kingdom. Other ascomycetes include the antibiotic penicillin, Stilton blue cheese and the fungus responsible for athelete’s foot. Botrytis cinerea can occur on fruits, vegetables and flowers –imagine a moldy strawberry. However with wine, it’s considered a good thing. Wines such as Sauternes from Bordeaux; Tokaji Aszu from Hungary, and Spätlese level German Riesling all are made from ‘Noble Rot’ grapes. ‘Noble Rot’ on some Oraniensteiner grapes (rare cross of Riesling x Sylvaner) in British Columbia at Stoneboat What Does ‘Noble Rot’ Do? ‘Noble Rot’ basically does two things to wine: it intensifies the sweetness level and adds flavor complexity. Intensifies Sweetness ‘Noble Rot’ causes grapes to dehydrate while maintaining the sugar levels. More wine grapes are needed to make the same amount of juice and thus the juice has higher sugar content. Dessert wines made from Noble Rot grapes are more viscous and sweeter, some even have higher alcohol content. Adds Flavor Sommeliers often use the words “honey,” “beeswax” and “ginger” to describe the flavors that botrytis adds to wine. This could be because Noble Rot wines often have higher levels of a special aroma compound called phenylacetaldehyde. This compound is also commonly found in buckwheat and milk chocolate. Try Spätlese Riesling It’s common fir Spätlese (aka ‘late harvest’) German Riesling to be made with botrytis grapes. famous ‘black mold’ in a wine cellar in Hungary. by Koritar Henriett A Long History of Mold and Wine Winemakers have struggled long and hard to battle mold in their vineyards and cellars. There is Powdery Mildew, a mold that affects vineyards. Cork Taint is caused by airborne funghi that come in contact with chlorophenol compounds. And finally Black Mold, a relatively harmless but ugly funghi that inhabits dank cellars throughout Europe. Profile on a ‘Noble Rot’ Wine We contacted Tim Martiniuk (his grapes are pictured above) from Stoneboat Vineyards in British Columbia about his wine Verglas. It’s a wine that could be considered both an ice wine and a ‘Noble Rot’ dessert wine. So naturally we had to know more. Discover how a ‘Noble Rot’ wine comes to be. Where does Noble Rot happen in your vineyards? Noble rot tends to happen in the portions of the vineyard that are closer to the river. On cool fall mornings, mist from the Okanagan river drifts from the vineyard and condenses on the berries, which can encourage botrytis. It can occur anywhere in the vineyard depending on how wet a year is, but we manage blocks of other varietals differently to prevent the [mold] from developing. Tell me about your dessert wine Verglas The Verglas, our dessert wine, is both botrytis affected and an ice wine. Botrytis tends to bring about greater concentrations of dried fruit, caramel and honeyed characters, whereas non-botrytis affected ice wines can be more fresh fruit driven. We’ve found that in years when we have less botrytis in the dessert wine crop the resulting wine tends to be more fruity and tropical. Combining the ice wine technique with botrytis allows us to obtain the best traits of both wine types. You mean your wine is made from frozen ‘Noble Rot’ grapes?! Yes- we pick frozen botrytis-affected grapes for our dessert wine. Our dessert wine was an accident of sorts. In 2006, the botrytis in our Oraniensteiner block was so intense that we couldn’t use the grapes for our table wines. We were going to abandon the crop, but it froze early that year and we decided to see if we could salvage it. We were blown away by the end result and since then have made Verglas every year. Sources |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which animal was unknown in the west until 1869 when furs were obtained by a missionary?"
] | Biography of Giant Panda Map 2. Source: The First Pandas In November 1928, Kermit and Theodore Roosevelt, with the political support from their father, President Theodore Roosevelt, traveled to China for giant panda hunting. They successfully killed a giant panda on 23 April 1929. In the 1930s, the Western expeditions� goal was to capture a live giant panda and ship it to a zoo instead of to shoot one. In September 1934, Harvard graduate William H Harkness Jr. began his trip to China for a live giant panda, forbidding his newly-wed Ruth Harkness, to come with him. But he died in 1936 before he could see any giant panda alive. It was Ruth who gained fame by bringing a live giant panda to the United States. Ruth went to China in less than a year after her husband�s death. With luck she easily brought a baby giant panda, Su Lin, back to the United States, and her book The lady and the Panda published in 1938 became a best seller. (Catton 1990) Fossil records of the giant panda are found throughout China. The oldest ones dated back about three million years ago with no specific ancestors. It is believed that there were two giant panda species living during the Pleistocene with one species about half the size of the current ones date from the early Pleistocene and the other species indistinguishable from the current ones date from the Mid-Pleistocene. Fossil records indicate that both species ranged over China but the Yellow River and Yangtze River lowlands (the eastern plains of China). See map 3. The lack of fossils in these regions maybe due to the poor fossilization in the alluvial plains rather than the absence of the animals. These fossils were found at forty-eight sites in fourteen provinces in China. Some were found in Vietnam and in one site in Burma. Almost all the fossils date from the Pleistocene era. These records also show that these species used to have a much wider distribution than the one of today. It maybe due to the warmer and wetter climate during the Late Pleistocene period that was more favorable to the animals and the bamboo. Also, population expansion is thought to be one of the reasons that accounts for the decrease in the giant pandas� distribution. (Laidler 1992) Map 3. Source: The Last Panda It has been debated that whether the giant pandas belong to the bear family, the raccoon family, or another family including only the giant pandas and the lesser pandas (the red pandas). Yet that to which family the giant pandas belong remains a mystery. Although today�s giant pandas feed almost completely on bamboo, they are in fact carnivores. Carnivores� ancestors are miacids that is small weasel-like, forest-dwelling animals. About thirty-five million years ago, some of the miacids developed into the earliest dogs, the canids. The canids further branched off to evolved into different animals. About twenty-five million years ago, some of the canids �diverged away from chasing and killing prey to� procyonids, the early ancestors of the raccoons that originated in North American and spread to South America. Another branch of procyonids that were the ancestors of the lesser pandas spread to the Himalayan region. Several million years after these procyonids evolved into these animals, some other canids began to evolve into much larger animals that they became the bears. They originated in the Northern Hemisphere and spread southward to southern Asia and South America except Africa. (Collins 1973) See figure 1. Figure 1. Source: Ling Ling & Hsing Hsing: Year of the Panda Whether the giant pandas and the lesser pandas are related to each other or not is another unsolved issue. Some biologist consider the two pandas are not related claiming their similarities come from convergent evolution. They place the lesser panda into the raccoon family, the Procyonidae, and the giant panda into the bear family, the Ursidae. Other biologists consider the two pandas are relatives having the same evolutionary root. Some of them place both pandas into a separate family while the rest put the |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which organ in the body is affected by hepatitis?"
] | What Body Organ Is Affected By Hepatitis - Doctor answers on HealthTap Dr. Ralph Layman Dr. Layman 1 doctor agreed: Yes: If you are HBV positive you can donate organs. They are then reserved to be transplanted into indivduals who are also hbv(+). Livers from patients with HBV are routinely biopsied prior to being accepted for transplant . For living donation the answer is a bit more difficult. Most likely no for a partial liver donation and possibly pending a converstion with surgeons and both patients for kidneys. ...Read more |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What is a mouflon a type of?"
] | Mouflon - definition of mouflon by The Free Dictionary Mouflon - definition of mouflon by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mouflon also mouf·flon (mo͞of′lŏn′) n. pl. mouflon or mou·flons also moufflon or mouf·flons A small wild sheep (Ovis orientalis syn. O. gmelini) native to southwestern Asia and islands of the Mediterranean, having a brown coat and, in the male, a white patch on the back and curved horns. [French, alteration of Italian dialectal muvrone, from Late Latin mufrō, mufrōn-.] mouflon (Animals) a wild short-fleeced mountain sheep, Ovis musimon, of Corsica and Sardinia [C18: via French from Corsican mufrone, from Late Latin mufrō] mouf•lon (ˈmuf lɒn) n. a wild sheep, Ovis musimon, inhabiting the mountainous regions of Sardinia and Corsica, the male of which has large curving horns. [1765–75; < French < Italian muflone, orig. dial.; compare Corsican muffolo, Sardinian murone, Late Latin mufrō, s. mufrōn-] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: mountain sheep - any wild sheep inhabiting mountainous regions Translations mouflon [ˈmuːflɒn] n (sheep) → muflone m Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: References in periodicals archive ? org> Painted Desert, Texas Dali, Black Hawaiian, Corsican, Desert Sand, New Mexico Dahl, Multi-horned Hair and Mouflon. Vacation fresh At Oster Malma Castle and Wildlife Park you can see not only moose but also red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar and mouflon. Retour aujourd'hui en Tunisie As I sit here and compose this article I can look around my room and see aoudad, ibex, Merino, Corsican, Black Hawaiian, white Texas dall and mouflon sheep; sika deer plus chocolate, spotted and white fallow deer; black, brown and white Catalina goats; my favorite exotic--the black buck antelope originally from India, and many domestic favorites from Texas, namely whitetail deer. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What is the largest of the three paired muscles in the buttocks?"
] | What is the largest muscle in the human body? | eNotes What is the largest muscle in the human body? dano7744 | College Teacher | (Level 2) Educator Posted on May 22, 2010 at 10:56 AM The gluteal muscles are largest. The gluteus minimus and maximus comprise this group. They are your buttocks. A very close second is the bilateral latissimus dorsi muscles which are your "lats". They run more than half way up your back and wrap around laterally (the sides). They connect distally in the hip or coxal area. The gluteals are indeed much thicker and have more mass. Another large muscle group is the adductor group on the anterior thigh and also the quadriceps group which is also on your anterior thigh(front thigh). As you can imagine, the muscles of the legs are very strong inpart because they help to support your weight. The masseter muscles of the bilateral jaws are also very strong, and the strongest of all. like 5 dislike 0 discussion | College Teacher | (Level 1) Assistant Educator Posted on May 18, 2010 at 1:18 AM According to most online sources, the gluteus maximus or buttock muscle is the biggest of the 639 named muscles in the human body. The longest muscle in the human body is the sartorius. This narrow muscle of the thigh passes obliquely across the front of the thigh and helps rotate the leg to the position assumed in sitting cross-legged. The strongest muscle depends on how you measure strength. A good case could be made for the heart! Information from ehow.com: In terms of absolute force, the strongest muscle in the body is the masseter, the prime mover of the jaw for chewing. It can create force of 55 lbs. on the incisors or 200 lbs. on the molars. The hardest-working muscle in the body is the heart. It pumps 2 oz. blood at every heartbeat, at least 2,500 gallons daily. The muscle that can pull with the greatest force is the soleus, underneath the calf muscle. It is this muscle that keeps us from falling backward while standing up, and it is essential to running, walking and dancing. The largest muscle in the body is also one of the strongest--the gluteus maximus. This large muscle in the buttocks keeps us standing upright and fights against gravity when we walk up stairs. The most flexible muscle is the tongue, which can take many shapes and also is always moving, even in sleep. The most active of muscles is the eye muscles. Muscles of the eye are constantly moving. In an hour's worth of reading, they can move 10,000 times. Unlike the heart, however, eye muscles can get fatigued easily. like 8 dislike 1 August 2, 2012 at 7:03 AM The gluteus muscle is the largest muscle in the human body. It consists of gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus. it is called asbuttockmuscles. Hip region is the most important region in the human structure because human stands on both legs and when he stands this buttock region gives support to the human structure. Also, above the hip region there are so many internal organs (including respiratory, digestive system) which are very important for the human life,to protect these organs and to support them the muscle in the buttock should be very thick and large |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What colour does litmus paper turn in acid solutions"
] | BBC - KS3 Bitesize Science - Acids, bases and metals : Revision, Page 4 Acids, bases and metals Next Indicators and the pH scale When an acid is dissolved in water we get an acidic solution, and alkalis make alkaline solutions. If a solution is neither acidic nor alkaline we call it neutral. Pure water is neutral, and so is paraffin. Indicators are substances that change colour when they are added to acidic or alkaline solutions. You can prepare homemade indicators from red cabbage or beetroot juice - these will help you see if a solution is acidic or alkaline. Litmus and universal indicator are two indicators that are commonly used in the laboratory. Litmus Litmus indicator solution turns red in acidic solutions and blue in alkaline solutions - and it turns purple in neutral solutions. Litmus paper is usually more reliable, and comes as red litmus paper and blue litmus paper. The table shows the colour changes it can make. Turns blue Stays blue Notice how we say 'stays red'. This is better than saying 'nothing' or 'stayed the same', because it tells us the colour we actually see. Acids turn blue litmus paper red Alkalis turn red litmus paper blue Universal indicator and the pH scale Universal indicator is a mixture of several different indicators. Unlike litmus, universal indicator can show us exactly how strongly acidic or alkaline a solution is. This is measured using the pH scale. The pH scale runs from pH 0 to pH 14. Universal indicator has many different colour changes, from red for strong acids to dark purple for strong bases. In the middle, neutral pH 7 is indicated by green. Universal indicator shows how acidic or alkaline a solution is These are the important points about the pH scale: neutral solutions are pH 7 exactly acidic solutions have pH values less than 7 alkaline solutions have pH values more than 7 the closer to pH 0 you go, the more strongly acidic a solution is the closer to pH 14 you go, the more strongly alkaline a solution is Page |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which planet orbits the sun at a n average distance of approximately 150 million kilometers?"
] | Pacing Our Solar System for children ages 9–13 A large outdoor area Activity Part 2 can be done as an indoor or an outdoor activity. To decide if this works as an outdoor activity, determine how many planets your space accommodates before you start. You do not have to use all the planets, but Mercury to Jupiter should be included to illustrate the scale of our solar system. You may be able to modify the outdoor version to fit inside by halving the outdoor scale (of planets and distances) or by using only the inner planets. The activity works best if Mercury to Jupiter are included to illustrate the scale of our solar system. The Exploratorium Web site provides a conversion tool that will let you determine the distances between, and sizes of, planets for any given scale in both English and metric units. For example, if you want to use a model in which the Sun is one inch in diameter, the distances to planets and planet sizes relative to a one-inch Sun are calculated (Pluto would be 0.001 inches in diameter and 354 feet away). If you are working with children ages 5–8, consider having steps 8 and 9 completed before the children begin the activity so that the planets on the dowels are in place. Use the Hopping Across the Solar System sheet. If you are working with children ages 9–13, use Pacing Our Solar System sheet. Table 2. Scaled Distances from Our Sun Planet (pencil dot on 3 × 5 card) 5,909,600,000 591.0 m 7. Ask the children how much space would be needed to position the planets properly at the scale used in Part 1 . How far would Earth be from the Sun? Pluto? Estimating is a way to engage the children. Reassure them that this estimate is just guessing and that you are not expecting anyone to know the answer. You may need to remind the children that scale involves showing relationships of size and distance accurately. At the scale used in Part 1 , Earth would be about a mile from the Sun and Pluto would be about 36 miles away. Ask the children what they might find about a mile or 36 miles from where they are now. 8. Explain that the planets in Part 1 are 100 million times smaller than the actual planets — it would take 100 million of the Part 1 "Earths" placed side-by-side, for example, to equal the actual diameter of Earth. To properly space the planets so they fit in a reasonable-sized space, such as a yard or football field, you must further reduce their size by a factor of 100, which is 10 billion times smaller than the actual planets! Show them the cards or plates with dowels with the dots and peppercorns attached, as well as the other objects at this scale. Have children identify the planet each object represents and label the card with the planet's name. 9. Go outside and position the "Sun." Provide the Pacing Our Solar System handout to each child. Assign a planet marker to a child (or children, depending on group size) and have the group pace the distance to Mercury, with one long stride being roughly equal to a meter (and a meter is about a yard, or three feet). Have the Mercury child/children remain at the marker. Continue in this fashion until all the markers are placed. In marking the distances, make sure you remember to start counting with the number at which you left off (i.e., count to five yards, then start at five until you reach nine yards, etc.). If you are limited by distance, have children place as many planets as possible. Discuss how far they would have walk to be able to place the remaining markers. 10. Regroup. Have the children start at the Sun and walk through the markers. Have them count the number of "average" steps or hops between each planet. Note the size of each marker representing a planet. Invite them to share what they know about the planet and have them refer to their handout. How far from the Sun is the planet? If we were traveling to the planet, how long would it take to get there? From each planet, look back at the "Sun" and imagine how it would appear. Point out that as one travels to the outer solar system, the great distance from the Sun means that it is quite cold. Temperat |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which is Britain's smallest bird of prey?"
] | The RSPB: Ask an expert: What is the smallest bird of prey? What is the smallest bird of prey? What is the smallest bird of prey? 12 May 2011 Ian Hayward Wildlife Adviser I've been working at the RSPB as a wildlife adviser since October 2005. I have been a keen naturalist all of my life with a particular interest in birds, insects and animal behaviour. I have a background in Environmental Biology and Environmental Impact Assessment and regularly contribute to bird surveys. Other interests I have include wildlife gardening and birding as well as keeping track with important issues such as climate change and renewable energy. Sent in by Patricia Johnston, Belfast With more than 280 species worldwide, birds of prey are some of the most awe-inspiring of our feathered friends. The variety in shapes and sizes is huge, with birds like the harpy eagle, Andean condor and Philippine eagle dominating the heavyweight end of the scale. However, the lighter end of the scale is equally as impressive, with some tiny birds of prey found across the world. In the UK, our smallest bird of prey is the merlin. A member of the falcon family, the merlin measures as little as 26 cm in length, which is roughly the same size as a mistle thrush. The merlin preys upon small birds like meadow pipits in dashing aerial pursuits and is one of the must-see species if you are walking in upland moor habitats at this time of year. However, the merlin is a giant when compared to some of the world's smallest raptors. The south-east Asian black-thighed falconet is one of the smallest. It's one of five similar species of the tiny falconet genus and is only 15-17 cm in length, about the same size as a bullfinch! This bird mainly targets invertebrate prey, making hunting forays from a prominent perch much in the same way as a flycatcher behaves. However, other small birds need to be alert as even these tiny predators will take birds if the opportunity arises. Another tiny bird of prey is the African pygmy-falcon. Found across much of Africa, this species is usually just under 20 cm in length, a touch smaller than a starling. Often nesting in weaverbird colonies, the pygmy falcon catches a range of prey that includes insects and reptiles. Contact us If you do have have a wildlife-related question you have not been able to find the answer to, please contact us. Click on the link below to go to our Contact Us page. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Graham Nash left which group in 1968 to join David Crosby and Stephen Stills?"
] | Crosby, Stills, Nash (And Young) (Music) - TV Tropes YMMV CSNY during their heyday. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (or Crosby, Stills and Nash) are a Super Group consisting of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash originally, until they were joined by a fourth member, Neil Young , and eventually became known under this name instead. The band came about after David Crosby had left The Byrds due to internal conflict. Around the same time Stephen Stills' old band Buffalo Springfield had split and he was on his own feet too. Graham Nash was a member of The Hollies in those days, but had felt long frustrated about just being second violin to the group as a whole. When the three musicians came together in 1968 they realized they could start a new band by themselves and thus Crosby, Stills And Nash was born. They decided to use their own names , because it would better showcase their individuality and prevent the tensions they all had experienced by operating as an anonymous musician under a collective band pseudonym. From the start the band had immediate success. Their debut record Crosby, Stills And Nash from 1969 spawned the Top 40 singles "Marrakesh Express" and "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and got great reviews. Stills brought a fourth band member aboard, Neil Young , who had played alongside him in Buffalo Springfield . Restructured, the band now became Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young. They played during the legendary Woodstock festival in 1969, where their song "Woodstock" (a cover of Joni Mitchell ) became the unofficial anthem of the concert. They also played at Altamont, but due to the violence and murder associated with the festival their performance was cut at their own request from the documentary Gimme Shelter from 1970. 1970 also saw the release of D�j� Vu , which generated the hits "Woodstock", "Teach Your Children" and "Our House", and the occurrence of the Kent State Shootings, which inspired their Protest Song "Ohio", criticising the fact that the Ohio National Guard (US Army reserve units under the command of the state's governor) had shot at protesting students in Kent State University, Ohio. Each individual member released a solo album ( Neil Young 's After The Gold Rush from 1970, Stephen Stills' Stephen Stills from 1970, David Crosby If I Could Only Remember My Name from 1971 and Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners from 1971. Crosby And Nash even started a duo together, with their first album being Graham Nash/David Crosby from 1972. Although they performed on each other's solo albums they start spending more attention to their own work than working together as a group. Tensions and drug abuse took their toll. Only after seven years the next collective album came out and by that point Young had already left the group, causing them to name the album CSN, short for the first names of the remaining band members. Only "Just A Song Before I Go" became a hit. During the 1980s the band kept performing. "Daylight Again" from 1982 had a hit song in the title track, but that same year Crosby was arrested for drug and weapon charges and spent 8 months in jail. He decided to go into rehab afterwards and Young rejoined the band briefly for "American Dream" in 1988. By that point the band effectively became more popular as a concert experience and their social activism than for their newer albums. In 1997 they were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, however Neil Young was excluded. Principal Members (Founding members in bold, current members in italic): David Crosby - lead vocals, guitar, keyboard, tambourine (1968�1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977�Present) Graham Nash - lead vocals, guitar, piano, organ, keyboard, harmonica, percussion, sound effects (1968�1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977�Present) Stephen Stills - lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard, piano, synthesizer, banjo, timbales, maracas, percussion (1968�1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977�Present) Neil Young - lead vocals, guitar, keyboard, piano, harmonica, banjo, tiple, celeste (1969�1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1988, 1991, 1999-2006, 2013) Studio Dis |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her role as Mrs Robinson in The Graduate?"
] | The Role of Mrs. Robinson - Classic Film The Role of Mrs. Robinson Guest Author - Amber Grey According to the March 2008 �Vanity Fair� article, "The Making of "The Graduate," Director Mike Nichols said when Bancroft was offered the notorious role of �Mrs. Robinson�, �Everyone cautioned her to turn it down," implying that taking the role would be too risky for her career. Apparently, it was Bancroft's husband, Mel Brooks, who recommended she take the part because he enjoyed the script. And so, Bancroft accepted the role which became epitome of the word �cougar� and it changed her career forever, but was it for better or for worse? �The Graduate� (1967), based on the novel by Charles Webb, starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross Hoffman plays �Benjamin Braddock,� a recent college graduate, who engages in an affair with �Mrs. Robinson� (Bancroft), the wife Benjamin�s father�s business partner. The plot is only further complicated by the fact that once Benjamin is in the middle of the affair, he falls in love with Mrs. Robinson�s daughter, Elaine. Thanks to movie magic, Bancroft was made to look deceptively older than Hoffman. In reality, the two actors were merely six years apart in age; she 36 and he 30 at the time of filming. However, Bancroft did not rely on make-up alone to carry her through the role. With her smokey voice and incredible acting ability to draw, not only Benjamin but the audience as well, into her web, filling the air with electricity and dry sarcasm. When the film was released, it received critical acclaim for it�s balance of comedy and drama. When awards season came, �The Graduate� was nominated for seven Academy Awards including a �Best Actress� nod for Bancroft. Bancroft was also nominated for a BAFTA but only won a �Best Actress� Golden Globe for her performance. However, the stamp of playing �Mrs. Robinson,� was permanent for Bancroft. In the future, no matter what role Bancroft excelled in whether it be Helen Keller�s teacher in �The Miracle Worker� (1962); the sarcastic wife of Jack Lemmon in the film adaptation of Neil Simon�s comedy �The Prisoner on Second Avenue� (1975); or as the prima ballerina, Emma, in �The Turning Point� (1977), in which she was nominated for a "Best Actress" Oscar, Bancroft would always be �Mrs. Robinson.� So it seems the role had become a blessing and a curse to Bancroft when she mentioned in a 2003 interview, �I am quite surprised, that with all of my work and some of it is very, very good, that nobody talks about �The Miracle Worker.� We�re talking about Mrs. Robinson. I understand the world . . . I�m just a little dismayed that people aren�t beyond it yet.� Whereas in a 2005 interview for �Washington Post,� Bancroft said, �To this day, when men meet me, there�s always that movie [The Graduate] in the back of their mind.� Besides Bancroft, there was a list of other interesting actresses considered for the role of �Mrs. Robinson�: - The late Patricia Neal was ready to play the role but was forced to drop out because of Neal's unexpected stroke. - Actress Jane Fonda was offered to either play �Mrs. Robinson� or �Elaine Robinson� and turned down both of them. Other actresses considered: Shelley Winters, Angela Lansbury, Eva-Marie Saint, Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"On which instrument was the theme for The Third Man performed?"
] | The Third Man Soundtrack (1949) by Andrew Granade August 24, 2003 It seems as though every country has a cinematic sound associated with it, an instrument that serves to symbolize it for the purposes of evocation.� Consider last year's score for Amelie.� A frothy concoction of a movie and score, every aspect of production design needed to seep the essence of Paris out of its pores.� Visually, the most recognized areas were visited and heightened through the use of a hyper-real color palate. �In order to balance the production aurally, the sound of the accordion was allowed to permeate every scene, adding a feeling of decadent love to the proceedings.� Whether it be the brass band for England, the didgeridoo for Australia, or the sitar for all things Indian and often Middle Eastern as well, we have coded sounds onto geography for instantly recognizable access. So if you were making a movie about post-WWII Vienna, what instrument would you use?� The violin?� The piano?� No, you would use the zither. The Third Man, one of the greatest of all film noirs, has a palatable sense of place.� The bombed-out buildings, cracked streets, and decaying facades are a character equal to the enigmatic Harry Lime.� Visually the production is laced with a feeling of dread, with a darkness born of a particular moment in history.� Yet, Vienna is a city of dreams and even in its post-apocalyptic state, there is a certain nostalgia for the grandeur that once was.� It is to this instinct the score was directed.� While viewers absorbed the oppressive scenes, the music crept into the backs of their minds reminding them of what was lost.� A startling juxtaposition to be sure, but one so successful that Anton Karas's score is still considered a hallmark of film music composition, even more than fifty years later. The music is performed exclusively on a zither, a stringed instrument on which the strings run the length of the body, which acts as the primary resonator.� Think of an autoharp or dulcimer and you will have the idea.� In adopting this Austrian instrument as the basis of the score, Karas appropriated its music as well.� Two main themes run throughout, the first of which is introduced in the second cue, "The Harry Lime Theme."� This jaunty tune is in a square four with a bass line alternating between tonic and dominant.� Musically it is quite simple, a series of variations on a theme, but its nostalgic sentimentality lends it a charm that one carries outside the viewing.� The second main theme is, fittingly for the city of Johann Strauss, Jr., a waltz.� Introduced in the fourth cue, "The Caf� Mozart Waltz," the lilting melody is even more ironic in context than "The Harry Lime Theme." These two themes, or more specifically their styles, dominate the short cues of the CD, all the way to short waltzes such as "Danube Dreams."� Although it may sound uninteresting, the score is anything but and has been a perennial bestseller since the late 1940s.� No film score collection would be truly complete without this gem. The main question, then, is if this new recording of the score is worth purchasing or if you should go with another.� One of the strangest features of this CD is a hold-over from the 50th Anniversary release of a few years ago.� Interspersed between the music cues are snippets of dialogue from the movie.� While they do provide a hint of the juxtaposition inherent to the score's success, I would suggest purchasing the wonderful transfer of the movie released by the Criterion Collection for the full experience.� Here it merely serves as distraction. The sound is uniformly good, with deep, rich bass strings and a brightness to the upper register. Gertrud Huber performs on the zither with panache and sensitivity.� Also, orchestral versions of the two main themes performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nic Raine are added on to the end to entice you further.� Yet, if you are satisfied with your current recording I would suggest you stay with it.� If, |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What film of 1968 set in the 41st Century starred Jane Fonda and Milo O'Shea?"
] | Sex in Cinema: 1968 Greatest and Most Influential Erotic / Sexual Films and Scenes The History of Sex in Cinema Movie Title/Year and Film/Scene Description Screenshots Barbarella (1968, Fr./It.) This 'adult' sci-fi fantasy sex-capades comedy from French director Roger Vadim (featuring his new wife Jane Fonda) with a screenplay by Terry Southern was edited to receive a PG rating. Based on the French comics by Jean-Claude Forrest, it contained many sexual references, and numerous instances of Barbarella's interstellar love-making. The story set in the 41st century involved Barbarella's journey to a distant galaxy to save humanity. There was a teasing joke about Barbarella experiencing traditional or "old-fashioned" physical-penetrative copulation instead of the latest virtual sex (consumption of exaltation transference pills). The cult film opened with an infamous credits sequence that teasingly stripped French comic-strip heroine Barbarella (Jane Fonda) of her black space-suit outfit in zero gravity. Her gloves, leggings, and then helmet were gradually removed, before she became completely exposed and nude, although often obscured by floating and jiggling white letters. Barbarella (Jane Fonda): The Opening Credits Sequence The title character also made love with the aid of a gigantic 'orgasmatronic' type machine (an organ of love) - and was sentenced to death by multiple orgasm (delivered by the 'Excessive Machine'). Durand Durand/Concierge (Milo O'Shea) attempted to torture and kill Barbarella with pleasure by orgasmically "playing" her with the euphemistic pipe organ (with the tune "Sonata for Executioner and Various Young Women"). He promised a swift but pleasurable death, as he began playing, and her clothes were expelled: Barbarella: "Oh, oh, what is this thing?" Durand: "You will soon see, my dear. 'Sonata for Executioner and Various Young Women.'" Barbarella: "Hmm. Oh, it's sort of nice, isn't it?" Durand: "Yes, it is nice, in the beginning. Wait until its tune changes. It may change your tune as well." Barbarella: "Oh goodness, what do you mean?" Durand: "When we reach the crescendo, you will die - of pleasure. Your end will be swift, but sweet, very sweet." To his amazement, she completely enjoyed the lethal experience, exasperating him even further by orgasming. He was aghast at the sexually self-determined female for defeating the machine and causing it to smoke and burst into flames: "I don't believe it. It couldn't be. Wretched, wretched girl. What have you done to my excessive machine. You've undone it. You've undone me. Look, look! Energy cables are shrinking. You've turned them into faggots. You've, you've burned out the excessive machine! You've blown all its fuses!...You've exhausted its power! It couldn't keep up with you. Incredible. What kind of girl are you?! Have you no shame?!...Shame, shame on you! You'll pay for this!" Barbarella (Jane Fonda) in the Excessive Machine Candy (1968, It./Fr.) Director Christian Marquand's semi-vulgar, hip, 'psychedelic', anti-establishment sex farce was created by scriptwriter Buck Henry from Terry Southern's updated, racy (and supposedly 'unfilmable') 1958 novel (originally based on Voltaire's 18th century Candide). Voltaire's story about Candy was later the basis of two other "adult" porno films by writer/director Gail Palmer, starring Carol Connors: The Erotic Adventures of Candy (1978) and Candy Goes to Hollywood (1979). Nubile, vacuous and sexy nymphet Swedish blonde Ewa Aulin (a former Miss Teen Sweden in 1965 and Miss Teen International in 1966) starred as the title characte |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What French term is used in ballet for dancing on the tip of the toe?"
] | Ballet Terms | Dance Terminology | Atlanta Ballet Home » Ballet Resources » Ballet Terms and Positions Ballet Terms and Positions Have you ever wondered what all those French words are that you hear floating around at the ballet? If you're new to the ballet or would like to learn more about ballet, stick around and take a quick lesson on some of the words the dancers use on a daily basis. Glossary of Ballet Terms Classical Ballet - a traditional style of ballet which stresses the academic technique developed through the centuries of the existence of ballet. Modern Ballet - a type of ballet from the twentieth century. To this day, modern ballet looks to re-invent itself and reach out in an ever-increasing facet of creation and movement. Ballerina - a female dancer in a ballet company. Danseur - a male dancer in a ballet company. Choreographer - a person who composes or invents ballets or dances. Ballet master or Ballet mistress - a person in a ballet company whose job is to give the daily company class and to rehearse the ballets in the company repertoire. Choreography - describes the steps, combinations and patterns of a ballet or dance. Balletomane (bal lay toe mane) - A ballet fan or enthusiast. Pointe shoes - The satin ballet shoes used by dancers when dancing on their pointes (toes). Pointe shoes are reinforced with a box constructed of numerous layers of strong glue in between layers of material. Pointe shoes are not made of cement or wood. Tutu - the short classical ballet skirt made of many layers of net. A romantic tutu is a long net skirt reaching below the calf. Pas de deux - a dance for two. Adagio (u da zhe-o) - is a succession of slow, soft, lyrical and continuous movements. Adagio creates the illusion that the positions flow from one into another. Allegro (a leg grow) - allegro in ballet involves fast and dynamic movements, usually jumping steps and sequences. Barre - a horizontal bar (usually made of wood) along a studio wall for class exercises. Every ballet class begins with barre exercises. Centre practice - a group of exercises similar to those at the barre but performed in the center of the room. These exercises are done without the support of the barre and are normally performed with alternate feet. Ballet Positions Arabesque (Ah rah besk) - a position on one leg with the other leg raised behind the body and extended in a straight line. Attitude (ah tea tude) - A variation on the arabesque. The extended leg is raised behind the body but bent at the knee at an angle of 90 degrees. Assemblé (assam blay) - Lifting off the floor on one leg, and landing on two. Legs assemble at the same time and return to fifth position. Croisé (quo say) - A dancer stands with legs crossed at an angle to the audience. The disengaged leg may be crossed in the front or in the back. Grande Jeté (grand jeh tay) - a big jump from one foot to the other in which the working leg is brushed into the air and appears to have been thrown. Plié (plee ay) - means bent, bending - of the knee or knees. Turn-out - The dancer turns his or her feet and legs out from the hip joints to a 90-degree position. Pirouette (peer o wet) - a rotation or spin - a complete turn of the body on one foot, on point or demi-pointe (half- pointe). Tour en l'air (tour on lair) - a turn in the air - usually a male dancer's step, although ballerinas may do them to depending on the choreography. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who sang with Queen on their 1981 UK Number One Under Pressure?"
] | Queen — Under Pressure — Listen, watch, download and discover music for free at Last.fm queen "Under Pressure" is a 1981 song by Queen and David Bowie . It marked Queen's first released collaboration with another recording artist, and is featured on their 1982 album Hot Space. The song reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also number 31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s. Bowie had originally come to the studios in order to sing backing vocals on another Queen song, " Cool Cat ". For whatever reason, Bowie was not satisfied… read more Don't want to see ads? Subscribe now Similar Tracks |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Whose assassination on 28 June 1914 sparked the war?"
] | Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated - Jun 28, 1914 - HISTORY.com Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated Publisher A+E Networks In an event that is widely acknowledged to have sparked the outbreak of World War I, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, nephew of Emperor Franz Josef and heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is shot to death along with his wife by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on this day in 1914. The great Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck, the man most responsible for the unification of Germany in 1871, was quoted as saying at the end of his life that “One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans.” It went as he predicted. The archduke traveled to Sarajevo in June 1914 to inspect the imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Ottoman territories in the turbulent Balkan region that were annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908 to the indignation of Serbian nationalists, who believed they should become part of the newly independent and ambitious Serbian nation. The date scheduled for his visit, June 28, coincided with the anniversary of the First Battle of Kosovo in 1389, in which medieval Serbia was defeated by the Turks. Despite the fact that Serbia did not truly lose its independence until the Second Battle of Kosovo in 1448, June 28 was a day of great significance to Serbian nationalists, and one on which they could be expected to take exception to a demonstration of Austrian imperial strength in Bosnia. June 28 was also Franz Ferdinand’s wedding anniversary. His beloved wife, Sophie, a former lady-in-waiting, was denied royal status in Austria due to her birth as a poor Czech aristocrat, as were the couple’s children. In Bosnia, however, due to its limbo status as an annexed territory, Sophie could appear beside him at official proceedings. On June 28, 1914, then, Franz Ferdinand and Sophie were touring Sarajevo in an open car, with surprisingly little security, when Serbian nationalist Nedjelko Cabrinovic threw a bomb at their car; it rolled off the back of the vehicle and wounded an officer and some bystanders. Later that day, on the way to visit the injured officer, the archduke’s procession took a wrong turn at the junction of Appel quay and Franzjosefstrasse, where one of Cabrinovic’s cohorts, 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip, happened to be loitering. Seeing his opportunity, Princip fired into the car, shooting Franz Ferdinand and Sophie at point-blank range. Princip then turned the gun on himself, but was prevented from shooting it by a bystander who threw himself upon the young assassin. A mob of angry onlookers attacked Princip, who fought back and was subsequently wrestled away by the police. Meanwhile, Franz Ferdinand and Sophie lay fatally wounded in their limousine as it rushed to seek help; they both died within the hour. The assassination of Franz-Ferdinand and Sophie set off a rapid chain of events: Austria-Hungary, like many in countries around the world, blamed the Serbian government for the attack and hoped to use the incident as justification for settling the question of Slav nationalism once and for all. As Russia supported Serbia, an Austro-Hungarian declaration of war was delayed until its leaders received assurances from German leader Kaiser Wilhelm that Germany would support their cause in the event of a Russian intervention–which would likely involve Russia’s ally, France, and possibly Britain as well. On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and the tenuous peace between Europe’s great powers collapsed. Within a week, Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Serbia had lined up against Austria-Hungary and Germany, and World War I had begun. Related Videos |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who was the British Prime Minister at the outbreak of war?"
] | Prime Minister Herbert Asquith: The human stories behind the outbreak of First World War | Daily Mail Online comments In the first extract on Saturday from his masterly new book marking the centenary of World War I, Max Hastings told how an unpopular Austrian aristocrat blundered into the path of an assassin’s bullet in Serbia — and how his death was the trigger for the horrific conflagration that would follow. Here, he tells how a largely doubting Britain was finally persuaded to enter a war which would cost it a million lives . . . Newly-arrived in France to fight the Hun, the cocky soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force were greeted like heroes. ‘We were seized by the local inhabitants and dosed with cider,’ recalled Lt Guy Harcourt-Vernon. That first night in August 1914, the cafés in the town square of Amiens rang with toasts and rousing choruses of God Save The King. Only the old women who supervised the local public baths shook their heads and mopped their eyes as they muttered to themselves: ‘Pauvres petits anglais, ils vont bientôt être tués’ — ‘poor English boys, soon they will be dead.’ War opinions: Prime Minister Herbert Asquith told his mistress Venetia Stanley that the Austrian people were' the stupidest' in Europe It was a terrible — and true — prediction. Close to a million British fighting men would lose their lives in the four years of World War I, the centenary of whose outbreak takes place next year. The first deaths came soon enough — though to begin with they were mainly German. Deployed to positions just outside the Belgian town of Mons, the British soldiers peppered the Kaiser’s oncoming army with state-of-the-art Lee-Enfield rifles and Vickers machine guns. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share ‘They came at us in solid, square blocks,’ a British NCO recalled, ‘and you couldn’t help hitting them.’ ‘We steadied our rifles and took aim,’ said another, ‘and they were simply blasted away to Heaven by a volley at 700 yards.’ But the Germans took their casualties and kept coming in overwhelming numbers, supported by cannons and howitzers. ‘God! How their artillery do fire!’ exclaimed a frightened British soldier at what was a new and unwelcome experience for almost every member of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Confidante: Prime Minister Asquith told the truth to Venetia Stanley ‘There were four of us in a rifle-pit,’ recalled a private, ‘and our officer walked over to us and I remember thinking: “Get down, you silly bugger.” ‘The poor man was killed. Then the man next to me was hit. He was firing away and suddenly he gave a grunt and lay still. I’d never seen a dead man before.’ Harcourt-Vernon wrote: ‘Funny how everyone ducks at the sound of a bullet. It is past you by then, but down goes your head every time.’ Soon, too many bullets and shells were passing for any man to have time to duck as they rammed clip after five-round clip into their hot weapons. The British fell back until, by nightfall, the Germans — though they had taken colossal casualties — had captured Mons. In that first encounter, the BEF lost an estimated 1,600 men, many of them taken prisoner, and was now on the run. The next day there were brave rallies. The 9th Lancers and Dragoon Guards charged German guns across a mile of open ground, an extraordinary piece of folly even by the standards of British cavalry. They were led by a colonel who had once won a Grand National steeplechase. But nothing could stop the rout as the BEF was systematically bested by the German forces. As they retreated from an enemy they had been convinced they would trounce, a major in the Grenadiers described ‘a long and trying march in great heat and over very bad and dusty roads. 'The men very tired and rather puzzled as to what we are at’. Many must have wondered what they were doing there in the first place. It was a good question. How and why Britain had joined in what was essentially a solely European war was largely down to one man — Sir Edward Grey, Britain’s Foreign Secretary. In many ways he was a strange choice for tha |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who wrote the music for the song Keep the Home Fires Burning?"
] | First World War.com - Vintage Audio - Keep The Home Fires Burning Vintage Audio - Keep The Home Fires Burning Sponsored Links Reproduced below are the lyrics to the hugely popular wartime song written in 1914, Keep The Home Fires Burning, music by Ivor Novello and words by Lena Ford. The song is also popularly known as Till The Boys Came Home. The obvious sentimentality of the song lent it increased popularity for families at home than to soldiers serving on the various wartime fronts. The song's tremendous success brought Ivor Novello overnight fame, launching a hugely successful post-war career; although he also served with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) as a pilot from 1916. Two versions of the song are available here. Use the player above to listen to a recording performed by popular wartime vocalist John McCormack in 1917, and to a recording by Stanley Kirkby made a year earlier in 1916. Keep the Home Fires Burning They were summoned from the hillside They were called in from the glen, And the country found them ready At the stirring call for men. Let no tears add to their hardships As the soldiers pass along, And although your heart is breaking Make it sing this cheery song: Keep the Home Fires Burning, While your hearts are yearning, Though your lads are far away They dream of home. Through the dark clouds shining, Turn the dark cloud inside out 'Til the boys come home. Overseas there came a pleading, "Help a nation in distress." And we gave our glorious laddies Honour bade us do no less, For no gallant son of freedom To a tyrant's yoke should bend, And a noble heart must answer To the sacred call of "Friend." Keep the Home Fires Burning, While your hearts are yearning, Though your lads are far away They dream of home. Through the dark clouds shining, Turn the dark cloud inside out 'Til the boys come home. Sponsored Links Saturday, 22 August, 2009 Michael Duffy An "incendiary shell" is an artillery shell packed with highly flammable material, such as magnesium and phosphorous, intended to start and spread fire when detonated. - Did you know? |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"How many British troops were killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916?"
] | Somme - July 1916 Somme - July 1916 The search for personal effects after the battle The Battle of the Somme lasted officially from 1st July 1916 to 16th November 1916. The British lost 420,000 casualties, the French 200,000 and the Germans 450,000. On the first day alone nearly eight times as many British troops were killed or wounded as in the battle of Waterloo. Of the 20,000 dead on the first day, most had been slaughtered by perhaps a hundred German Machine-gun teams. From the British perspective this was a tragic waste of men, almost exclusively volunteers and tremendously committed. The Reverend Stanhope Walker said "It was a time one can never forget. At a Casualty Clearing Station one realised the meaning of war more than anywhere else. One could go and see all the country round Trones Wood and Delville Wood spitting fire from our huge guns and see the great crumps from the German artillery bursting amid indescribable wreckage and desolation, but here were gathered together the results of it all in broken humanity. I don't think there is any part of the human body I have not seen wounded,frequently blown to pieces." (People at War, 1914-1918. A David & Charles Military Book. 1973. ISBN-0-7153-9244-1) It was with such statistics and images that I approached the War Diary of Lt Col Elsner . I was shocked by the apparent callousness of the entry for 1st July 1916 until finding that the 9th Division were not truly engaged until 3rd July. From that date onward Elsner records events in a much more personally aggrieved tone. 1st July 1916 " Intense bombardment started about 5 am. The infantry advanced at 7 am and reached their objective Montauban during the forenoon. Bearer Divn in Trigger Valley (Billon Wood - Bronfay Fme). The usual congestion of walking wounded took place and appears to be inevitable". 4th July 1916 Following casualties amoung bearers in vicinity of Bernafay Wood: Pte J W Adamson - Killed Buried Talus Boise Pte J Davis - Died of Wounds - Buried Bernafay Wood Pte R Adams - GSW Shock Shell Pte R Longworth - GSW Shock Shell Pte J H Yesson - PUO (Evacuated) Pte J Wilson - GSW neck (slight - remained on duty) 5 July 1916 Further casualties in the bearer divn: LCpl W Weston - GSW Concussion (Evacuated) Bearer divn now established in German 1st line Valley Trench (A.3.C.8.0) in some German dugouts very deep and safe. Evacuation is easy along the railway line in Train Alley on trolleys. The bearers are in good spirits despite the casualties and working well, but had a rough time in Bernafay Wood which was being thoroughly and systematically shelled as are all the positions round about. Took Pte Coward with me as a reinforcement and Pte Chapman came up later - both off leave. So Albert has now travelled from the comfort of his brief visit home, and returned to what he must have known to be the thick of the battle. I find it virtually impossible to imagine the difficulty that all these men must have overcome to travel back from sanity to hell, and to keep doing so time after time. 6 July 1916 Bearer Divn casualties continue: Pte T Coward - GSW back (he only came off leave yesterday!) Pte F G Taylor - GSW finger Private Coward has been back for less than 24hrs before he becomes a casualty... 8 July 1916 Visited front lines with DDMS. Battle in progress, Trones Wood. Shelling at Bernafay and Montauban fairly heavy. Further FA casualties: Pte Gill - GSW arm Pte Fleet - GSW shoulder 9 July 1916 Bearer Divn relieved by 28 FA. To the ADS at West Peronne. Intense shelling of Bernafay Wood, Trones Wd and Montauban was taking place, and later Peronne Rd was shelled and the road to Bronfay farm. There were several casualties on those roads. One Motor Amb and 1 Lorry I saw smashed and the driver of the former lying in the road - decapitated. 12 July 1916 Visited bearers in rest at Maricourt Dugouts, but shelling daily and after the visit: Pte J Dillon - GSW Head, Arm, Chest - Killed Pte A Binney - GSW Arm, C |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"In which country is Vimy Ridge, site of a battle in April 1917?"
] | WarMuseum.ca - The Battle of Vimy Ridge April 9-12, 1917 - The First World War The Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9-12 April 1917 Tim Cook Many historians and writers consider the Canadian victory at Vimy a defining moment for Canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness. Canadian troops also earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success. But it was a victory at a terrible cost, with more than 10,000 killed and wounded. The Canadian Corps was ordered to seize Vimy Ridge in April 1917. [ Map ] Situated in northern France, the heavily-fortified seven-kilometre ridge held a commanding view over the Allied lines. The Canadians would be assaulting over an open graveyard since previous French attacks had failed with over 100,000 casualties. To capture this difficult position, the Canadians would carefully plan and rehearse their attack. To provide greater flexibility and firepower in battle, the infantry were given specialist roles as machine-gunners, rifle-men and grenade-throwers. These same soldiers underwent weeks of training behind the lines using models to represent the battlefield, and new maps crafted from aerial photographs to guide their way. To bring men forward safely for the assault, engineers dug deep tunnels from the rear to the front. Despite this training and preparation, the key to victory would be a devastating artillery barrage that would not only isolate enemy trenches, but provide a moving wall of high explosives and shrapnel to force the Germans to stay in their deep dugouts and away from their machine-guns. "Chaps, you shall go over exactly like a railroad train, on time, or you shall be annihilated," warned Canadian Corps commander Sir Julian Byng. "In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation." BGen A.E. Ross In the week leading up to the battle, Canadian and British artillery pounded the enemy positions on the ridge, killing and tormenting defenders. New artillery tactics allowed the gunners to first target, then destroy enemy positions. A nearly limitless supply of artillery shells and the new 106 fuse, which allowed shells to explode on contact, as opposed to burying themselves in ground, facilitated the destruction of hardened defences and barbed wire. The Canadian infantry would be well supported when it went into battle with over 1,000 artillery pieces laying down withering, supportive fire. Attacking together for the first time, the four Canadian divisions stormed the ridge at 5:30am on 9 April 1917. More than 15,000 Canadian infantry overran the Germans all along the front. Incredible bravery and discipline allowed the infantry to continue moving forward under heavy fire, even when their officers were killed. There were countless acts of sacrifice, as Canadians single-handedly charged machine-gun nests or forced the surrender of Germans in protective dugouts. Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of the Ridge, and where the Vimy monument now stands, was captured in a frontal bayonet charge against machine-gun positions. Three more days of costly battle delivered final victory. The Canadian operation was an important success, even if the larger British and French offensive, of which it had been a part, had failed. But it was victory at a heavy cost: 3,598 Canadians were killed and another 7,000 wounded. The capture of Vimy was more than just an important battlefield victory. For the first time all four Canadian divisions attacked together: men from all regions of Canada were present at the battle. Brigadier-General A.E. Ross declared after the war, "in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation." Vimy became a symbol for the sacrifice of the young Dominion. In 1922, the French government ceded to Canada in perpetuity Vimy Ridge, and the land surrounding it. The gleaming white marble and haunting sculptures of the Vimy Memorial , unveiled in 1936, stand as a terrible and poignant reminder of the 11,285 Canadian soldiers killed in France w |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which battle does Anzac Day specifically commemorate?"
] | Anzac Day: Commemorate or celebrate? - BBC News BBC News Anzac Day: Commemorate or celebrate? 20 April 2015 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption In New Zealand, Anzac Day tends to be commemorated in a reflective fashion Anzac Day, 25 April, is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during World War One and commemorates all the conflicts that followed. This year marks the centenary of that first bloody battle on the shores of Gallipoli. It will be remembered across the country and in Turkey with special ceremonies and exhibitions. In this second feature in our series on Gallipoli, Megan Lane for BBC News looks at how New Zealand commemorates its role in the battle. It can be revealing to ask children born 90 years after the World War One campaign fought by the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) what they think the initials stand for. "Appreciation New Zealand Australia Co-operation," suggested one pupil in a straw poll of 10-year-old primary school students in New Zealand's Wellington and Australia's Melbourne - a pleasingly wrong answer that said much about Anzac Day in the 21st Century. Co-operation was a popular choice for the New Zealand 10-year-olds, while the Australians were more likely to opt for "crew" - a modern, matey version of "corps". Co-operation and crew. Wrong but also right. Image copyright AAP Image caption Around 8,500 Australians and nearly 3,000 New Zealanders died at Gallipoli, as well as 87,000 Turks On 25 April 1915, soldiers from Australia and New Zealand landed at Gallipoli Cove, part of an Allied effort to capture the peninsula from the Ottoman Empire. Collectively termed Anzacs by a military clerk keen to fit the name on a rubber stamp, the acronym stuck. After an eight-month campaign, the Allies retreated in defeat after heavy losses on both sides. More than 87,000 Turks died, along with an estimated 44,000 men from the British Empire and France, including 8,500 Australians and nearly 3,000 New Zealanders - one in four of the Kiwis sent to Gallipoli. The first Anzac commemorations were held in 1916. A century later, these have morphed into big-budget productions in Australia, New Zealand and Turkey. While part of the international trend for war commemoration, Anzac Day has become more of a national day than Australia Day, says Prof Mark McKenna of the University of Sydney. By contrast, New Zealand regards Anzac Day as one of - not the - defining experience. Its national day marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between Maori chiefs and the British Crown. "Australia went through a long debate in the 1980s and 1990s about its legacy of colonialism and dispossession [of local indigenous people]," says Prof McKenna. "Anzac Day was a less complicated alternative as it involved the 'honourable deaths' of Australians." Glyn Harper, professor of war studies at New Zealand's Massey University, agrees. "I don't think New Zealand's myths around Gallipoli are as strong as in Australia, where the term 'Anzac' has become almost sacred." He points to the contrasting moods on Anzac Day. "In New Zealand, the emphasis is on the dawn service. It's a time of reflection on the cost of war and how it shaped the country." "In Australia, the dawn service is important but the focus is on the 11am military parade. People clap and cheer as the military units go past. It starts with reflection but later it becomes something to celebrate." Image copyright AAP Image caption Australia tends to focus on its morning military parade to mark Anzac Day Why is there so much emphasis on this campaign? As interest in family history and war tourism has grown, so too has Anzac Day's popularity, says Charles Ferrall, an Australian expatriate at Victoria University of Wellington and co-editor of the book How We Remember: New Zealanders and the First World War. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The sense of 'mateship' in the face of adversity has been the lasting legacy of the |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who wrote You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye, who cheer when soldier lads march by. Sneak hom and pray you'll never know, the hell where youth and laughter go?"
] | Siegfried Sassoon - Wikiquote Siegfried Sassoon Soldiers are citizens of death's grey land, Drawing no dividend from time's to-morrows. In the great hour of destiny they stand, Each with his feuds, and jealousies, and sorrows. Siegfried Sassoon ( September 8 , 1886 – September 1 , 1967 ) was a British poet and writer, most famous for the poems he wrote as a soldier in World War I . Contents Sourced[ edit ] Let no one ever, from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops, and I can no longer be a party to prolong these sufferings for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust. I believe that I may help to destroy the callous complacency with which the majority of those at home regard the contrivance of agonies which they do not share, and which they have not sufficient imagination to realize. Let no one ever, from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and there the individual may gain some hardship of soul by it. For war is hell, and those who institute it are criminals. Were there even anything to say for it, it should not be said; for its spiritual disasters far outweigh any of its advantages. As quoted by Robert Nichols in his introduction to The Counter-Attack and Other Poems (1918) The visionless officialized fatuity That once kept Europe safe for Perpetuity. On reading the War Diary of a Defunct Ambassador A Soldier's Declaration (July 1917)[ edit ] I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the War is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it. I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers. I believe that this War, on which I entered as a war of defence and liberation, has now become a war of aggression and conquest. I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops, and I can no longer be a party to prolong these sufferings for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust. I am not protesting against the conduct of the war, but against the political errors and insincerities for which the fighting men are being sacrificed. On behalf of those who are suffering now I make this protest against the deception which is being practised on them; also I believe that I may help to destroy the callous complacency with which the majority of those at home regard the contrivance of agonies which they do not share, and which they have not sufficient imagination to realize. The Counter-Attack and Other Poems (1918)[ edit ] You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you'll never know The hell where youth and laughter go. Well might the Dead who struggled in the slime Rise and deride this sepulchre of crime. Mute in the clamour of shells he watched them burst Spouting dark earth and wire with gusts from hell, While posturing giants dissolved in drifts of smoke. He crouched and flinched, dizzy with galloping fear, Sick for escape,— loathing the strangled horror And butchered, frantic gestures of the dead. Lost in a blurred confusion of yells and groans... Down, and down, and down, he sank and drowned, Bleeding to death. The counter-attack had failed. "Counter-Attack" Soldiers are citizens of death's grey land, Drawing no dividend from time's to-morrows. In the great hour of destiny they stand, Each with his feuds, and jealousies, and sorrows. Soldiers are dreamers; when the guns begin They think of firelit homes, clean beds, and wives. "Dreamers" If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath, I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, And speed glum heroes up the line of death. I'd say — "I used to know his father well; Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap." And when the war is done and youth stone dead I'd toddle safely home and die — in bed. "Base Details" You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you'll never know The hell where youth and laughter go. October's bellowing anger breakes and cleav |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which president was shot whilst reviewing a military parade in October 1981?"
] | From the archive, 7 October 1981: President Sadat assassinated at army parade | From the Guardian | The Guardian From the archive, 7 October 1981: President Sadat assassinated at army parade Originally published in the Guardian on 7 October 1981 James MacManus Close CAIRO Egyptian leaders last night declared a state of emergency after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat at a military parade. As the news of Sadat's death reached an apprehensive world Vice-President Hosni Mubarak, the man most likely to follow Mr Sadat in power, announced on television that the Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament would take over formally as President until a successor is chosen. Last night Mr Mubarak pledged a continuity of the peace policies of his predecessor and said that he had assumed the position of commander in chief of the armed forces. The Vice-President announced a 40-day period of mourning and said that the state funeral would take place on Saturday. In Algeria, exiled Lt-Gen Saadeddin Shazli, once Sadat's chief of staff, called on the Egyptian armed forces to follow up the assassination by wresting power from leaders committed to "Zionism and imperialism". General Shazli's opposition movement, the National Front, appears to have been behind the murder of Sadat. But in Cairo, troops loyal to the Government and to Mubarak took over key buildings, and there were no signs that any serious effort at a coup was under way. Sadat's Arab enemies last night celebrated his death. In Beirut motorists sounded their horns in jubilation. In Damascus there was dancing in the streets. President Sadat was shot down at a parade marking the anniversary of Egyptian successes in the 1973 Yom Kippur war — the closest any Arab state has come to victory over Israel and the essential foundation for his later policy of peace with Israel. Dressed in one of the elaborate uniforms, Sadat and other ministers were watching a fly-past when dissident soldiers – or men dressed as soldiers – opened fire from a truck passing the reviewing stand. Grenades and Kalashnikov fire raked the benches, killing two of Sadat's aides, mortally wounding Sadat and injuring many others. The 63-year-old president was rushed by helicopter to hospital but died on the operating table. The Egyptian leadership closed ranks yesterday after the death of the man who had dominated their country after his takeover from President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1970, and whose skill in alternating repression with reconciliation had kept it relatively stable. It was unclear whether his assassination was a direct result of the measures he recently took against opposition groups, including the fundamentalist Muslim movement. But there were few signs that the assassination was part of an organised coup attempt. James MacManus |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Lee Harvey Oswald shot John F Kennedy, but who shot him?"
] | Jack Ruby kills Lee Harvey Oswald - Nov 24, 1963 - HISTORY.com Jack Ruby kills Lee Harvey Oswald Share this: Jack Ruby kills Lee Harvey Oswald Author Jack Ruby kills Lee Harvey Oswald URL Publisher A+E Networks At 12:20 p.m., in the basement of the Dallas police station, Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy, is shot to death by Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner. On November 22, President Kennedy was fatally shot while riding in an open-car motorcade through the streets of downtown Dallas. Less than an hour after the shooting, Lee Harvey Oswald killed a policeman who questioned him on the street. Thirty minutes after that, he was arrested in a movie theater by police. Oswald was formally arraigned on November 23 for the murders of President Kennedy and Officer J.D. Tippit. On November 24, Oswald was brought to the basement of the Dallas police headquarters on his way to a more secure county jail. A crowd of police and press with live television cameras rolling gathered to witness his departure. As Oswald came into the room, Jack Ruby emerged from the crowd and fatally wounded him with a single shot from a concealed .38 revolver. Ruby, who was immediately detained, claimed that rage at Kennedy’s murder was the motive for his action. Some called him a hero, but he was nonetheless charged with first-degree murder. Jack Ruby, originally known as Jacob Rubenstein, operated strip joints and dance halls in Dallas and had minor connections to organized crime. He also had a relationship with a number of Dallas policemen, which amounted to various favors in exchange for leniency in their monitoring of his establishments. He features prominently in Kennedy-assassination theories, and many believe he killed Oswald to keep him from revealing a larger conspiracy. In his trial, Ruby denied the allegation and pleaded innocent on the grounds that his great grief over Kennedy’s murder had caused him to suffer “psychomotor epilepsy” and shoot Oswald unconsciously. The jury found him guilty of the “murder with malice” of Oswald and sentenced him to die. In October 1966, the Texas Court of Appeals reversed the decision on the grounds of improper admission of testimony and the fact that Ruby could not have received a fair trial in Dallas at the time. In January 1967, while awaiting a new trial, to be held in Wichita Falls, Ruby died of lung cancer in a Dallas hospital. The official Warren Commission report of 1964 concluded that neither Oswald nor Ruby were part of a larger conspiracy, either domestic or international, to assassinate President Kennedy. Despite its seemingly firm conclusions, the report failed to silence conspiracy theories surrounding the event, and in 1978 the House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded in a preliminary report that Kennedy was “probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy” that may have involved multiple shooters and organized crime. The committee’s findings, as with those of the Warren Commission, continue to be widely disputed. Related Videos |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"In which year was John Lennon assassinated?"
] | John Lennon shot dead by Mark David Chapman in 1980 - NY Daily News Legendary Beatles singer shot dead by Mark David Chapman John Lennon shot dead by Mark David Chapman in 1980 NEW YORK DAILY NEWS email John Lennon of the Beatles is shown in this Dec. 1980 photo taken days before his death. He was scheduled to finish his next album, a follow up to “Double Fantasy," that was released a month earlier and marked his comback after five years in retirement. (AP) NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Sunday, December 7, 2014, 5:37 PM (Originally published by the Daily News on Dec. 9, 1980. This story was written by Patrick Doyle, Robert Lane and Hugh Bracken.) Former Beatle John Lennon, the 40-year-old lead singer of the most popular rock group in history, was shot to death last night as he stepped from a limousine outside his home in the Dakota, an exclusive apartment building on Central Park West and 72d St. Police arrested a suspect, “described as a local screwball,” minutes after the shooting and charged him with Lennon’s murder. The “smirking” suspect, identified as Mark David Chapman, 25, of Hawaii, was seen in the vicinity of the Dakota for several hours before the shooting and reportedly had hounded Lennon for an autograph several times in the last three or four days. Lennon and his Japanese-born wife, Yoko Ono, were returning to their apartment from a recording session when the shots rang out. Lennon was taken to Roosevelt Hospital in a police radio car and was pronounced dead on arrival in the emergency room. “We tried to save him,” said Dr. Stephen Lynn, director of emergency services. “We opened his chest and massaged his heart, but he was virtually dead when they brought him in.” Lennon’s body was then taken to the Bellevue Hospital morgue for an autopsy. The life and death of John Lennon Police said Lennon was shot several times at close range inside the large iron gate on the W. 72d St. side of the building and was bleeding profusely when he was placed in the radio car. Lynn said Lennon was brought into the emergency room a few minutes before 11 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 11:07 p.m. “Extensive resuscitation efforts were made, and despite transfusion and other methods, he could not be revived,” Lynn said. The doctor added that “significant damage had been done to a major vessel in the chest. There was a massive blood loss.” Police Officer James Moran, who drove the car that took Lennon to the hospital, said the singer “had no last words.” A witness to the shooting, Sean Strub, said he saw Chapman walk back and forth at the scene of the shooting and then drop a gun. Police said they later recovered a .38-caliber revolver near the courtyard. Front page of Tuesday, December 9, 1980, edition of the Daily News, with headline reading "John Lennon Slain Here - Ex-Beatle Shot; Nab Suspect." Shows Yoko Ono being helped from Roosevelt Hospital by David Geffen. (Kappock, Gene) John Lennon shot story (New York Daily News) Strub said Chapman, whom he described as pudgy and dressed in a brown jacket, scuffled with the police immediately after they arrived on the scene. “Chapman almost had a smirk on his face,” Strub said. A woman who identified herself as Nina McFadden of W. 94th St. said she heard the shots and then watched as Chapman paced back and forth and threw his jacket to the ground. “I saw John and Yoko step out of the limousine,” she said. “They walked inside the gate. Then I heard four or five shots. They were loud, ear-shattering. “I heard Yoko scream, ‘Help, help. Help him’,” McFadden said. “It was then that I saw the man with the gun and watched him drop it from his side to the ground,” McFadden said. John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, arrive at The Hit Factory, a recording studio in New York City, the summer before Lennon was murdered outside the Dakota on Dec. 8th. (STEVE SANDS/AP) She said she then saw a man walk over to the building security guard and heard him say, “I would leave here if I were you.” Six policemen put Lennon into the car for the mile ride to the hospital. The sobbing Yoko, who has told interviewers she |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who stabbed Jean-Paul Marat in his bath in 1793, an act which has later been seen as patriotic?"
] | jean paul marat : definition of jean paul marat and synonyms of jean paul marat (English) Parents Jean (Giovanni) Mara, Louise Cabrol Jean-Paul Marat (24 May 1743 – 13 July 1793), born in the Principality of Neuchâtel , was a physician, political theorist, and scientist best known for his career in France as a radical journalist and politician during the French Revolution . His journalism was renowned for its fiery character and uncompromising stance toward "enemies of the revolution" and basic reforms for the poorest members of society. Marat was one of the more extreme voices of the French Revolution, and he became a vigorous defender of the sans-culottes ; he broadcast his views through impassioned public speaking, essay writing, and newspaper journalism, which carried his message throughout France. Marat's radical denunciations of counter-revolutionaries supported much of the violence that occurred during the wartime phases of the French Revolution. His constant persecution of "enemies of the people," consistent condemnatory message, and uncanny prophetic powers brought him the trust of the populace and made him their unofficial link to the radical Jacobin group that came to power in June 1793. He was murdered in his bathtub by Charlotte Corday , a Girondist sympathizer. Contents 12 External links Scientist and physician This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (July 2011) Jean-Paul Marat was born in Boudry in the Prussian Principality of Neuchâtel , now part of Switzerland, on 24 May 1743. [1] He was the second of nine children born to Jean Mara (Giovanni Mara), a native of Cagliari , Sardinia, and Louise Cabrol, a French Huguenot from Castres . His father was a Mercedarian "commendator" and religious refugee who converted to Calvinism in Geneva . At the age of sixteen, Marat left home and set off in search of fame and fortune, aware of the limited opportunities for outsiders. His highly educated father had been turned down for several secondary teaching posts. His first post was as a private tutor to the wealthy Nairac family in Bordeaux . After two years there he moved on to Paris where he studied medicine without gaining any formal qualifications. Moving to London around 1765, for fear of being "drawn into dissipation", he set himself up informally as a doctor, befriended the Royal Academician artist Angelika Kauffmann , and began to mix with Italian artists and architects in the coffee houses around Soho . Highly ambitious, but without patronage or qualifications, he set about imposing himself into the intellectual scene with essays on philosophy ("A philosophical Essay on Man", published 1773) and political theory ("Chains of Slavery", published 1774). [2] Voltaire 's sharp critique in defense of his friend Helvétius brought the young Marat to wider attention for the first time and reinforced his growing sense of a wide division between the materialists, grouped around Voltaire on one hand, and their opponents, grouped around Rousseau on the other. [3] Around 1770, Marat moved to Newcastle upon Tyne , possibly gaining employment as a veterinarian. His first political work Chains of Slavery, inspired by the activities of the MP and Mayor John Wilkes , was most probably compiled in the central library here. By Marat's own colourful account, he lived on black coffee for three months, during its composition, sleeping only two hours a night – and then slept soundly for thirteen days in a row. [4] He gave it the subtitle, "A work in which the clandestine and villainous attempts of Princes to ruin Liberty are pointed out, and the dreadful scenes of Despotism disclosed". It earned him honorary membership of the patriotic societies of Berwick , Carlisle and Newcastle . The Newcastle Literary and Philosophical Society Library [5] possesses a copy, and Tyne and Wear Archives Service holds three presented to the various Newcastle guilds. A published essay on curing a friend of gl |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which is the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated?"
] | The Assassination of the Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval | The Public Domain Review ..or BROWSE BY TAG The Assassination of the Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval Only once has a British Prime Minister been assassinated. Two hundred years ago, on the 11th May 1812, John Bellingham shot dead the Rt. Hon. Spencer Perceval as he entered the House of Commons. David C. Hanrahan tells the story. Illustration of the shooting, artist unknown. (Source: Norris Museum) On Monday 11 May, 1812, an unremarkable, anonymous man, just over forty years of age, made his way to the Houses of Parliament. The man had become a frequent visitor there over the previous few weeks, sitting in the gallery of the House of Commons and carefully examining the various members of the government through his opera glasses. At 5.00 p.m. on this particular day he walked into the lobby that led to the House of Commons and sat near the fireplace. No-one could have known that he was carrying, concealed on his person, two loaded pistols. As it was a fine evening Mr. Spencer Perceval, the Tory First Lord of the Treasury, or Prime Minister, had decided to dispense with his carriage and walk from No. 10, Downing Street, to the Houses of Parliament. He arrived there around 5.15pm, entered the building and walked down the corridor towards the lobby entrance to the House of Commons. He handed his coat to the officer positioned outside the doors to the lobby. As Mr. Perceval entered the lobby a number of people were gathered around in conversation as was the usual practice. Most turned to look at him as he came through the doorway. No-one noticed as the quiet man stood up from beside the fire place, removing a pistol from his inner pocket as he did so. Neither did anyone notice as the man walked calmly towards the Prime Minister. When he was close enough, without saying a word, the man fired his pistol directly at Mr. Perceval’s chest. The Prime Minister staggered forward before falling to the ground, calling out as he did so words that witnesses later recalled in different ways as: “I am murdered!” or ‘Murder, Murder’ or ‘Oh God!’ or ‘Oh my God!’ Amid the confusion, a number of people raised Mr. Perceval from the ground and carried him into the nearby Speaker’s apartments. They placed him in a sitting position on a table, supporting him on either side. Most ominously, the Prime Minister had not uttered a single word since falling on the floor of the lobby, and the only noises to have emanated from him since had been a few pathetic sobs. After a short time Mr. Smith MP, on failing to find any perceptible sign of a pulse, announced his terrible conclusion to the group of stunned onlookers that the Prime Minister was dead. The Assassination of Spencer Perceval, illustration by Walter Stanley Paget (1861-1908) from Cassell's Illustrated History of England. Vol.5 (1909) Before long Mr. William Lynn, a surgeon situated at No. 15 Great George Street, arrived on the scene and confirmed that Mr. Smith was indeed correct. The surgeon noted the blood all over the deceased Prime Minister’s coat and white waistcoat. His examination of the body revealed a wound on the left side of the chest over the fourth rib. It was obvious that a rather large pistol ball had entered there. Mr. Lynn probed an instrument into the wound and found that it went downwards and inwards towards the heart. The wound was more than three inches deep. The Prime Minister, who was not yet fifty years of age, left behind a widow, Jane, and twelve children. In the shock of what had happened, the assassin was almost forgotten. The man had not attempted to escape as he might well have done amid the confusion. Instead, he had returned quietly to his seat beside the fireplace. The identity of the man was revealed as John Bellingham, not a violent radical but a businessman from Liverpool. The details of his story soon began to emerge. As a result of a dispute with some Russian Businessmen, Bellingham had been imprisoned in Russia in 1804 accused of owing a debt. He had been held in various pr |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Politician Airey Neave was assassinated in Westminster in 1979 - how was the killing carried out?"
] | BBC ON THIS DAY | 30 | 1979: Car bomb kills Airey Neave About This Site | Text Only 1979: Car bomb kills Airey Neave Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Airey Neave has been killed by a car bomb as he left the House of Commons car park. The bomb, said to be highly sophisticated, exploded as Mr Neave began driving up the exit ramp shortly before 1500GMT. Emergency services were on the scene in minutes. The 63-year-old Conservative MP, known for his tough line on anti-IRA security, was taken to Westminster Hospital where he died from his injuries. So far two groups, the Provisional IRA and the Irish Natonal Liberation Army, have claimed they carried out the killing. It is not yet known when the bomb was attached to his car but investigators believe a timing device and trembler - which detonates the bomb through movement - were used to ensure the bomb went off as Mr Neave was leaving the Commons. The area around Parliament Square was immediately closed as police began a full-scale search of the premises. Despite increased threats to the safety of MPs not all cars are checked fully as they enter the car park. Gilbert Kellard, assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said Mr Neave was aware of the dangers and was "happy and content" with his security. Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher led tributes to Mr Neave saying: "He was one of freedom's warriors. Courageous, staunch, true. He lived for his beliefs and now he has died for them." Prime Minister James Callaghan said: "No effort will be spared to bring the murderers to justice and to rid the United Kingdom of the scourge of terrorism." The killing is thought to have been timed to coincide with the start of the election campaign which was announced yesterday. Mr Neave was a close adviser to Mrs Thatcher, he led her campaign to become the Conservative Party leader and headed her private office. |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which British jounalist was shot outside her home in Fulham 1999?"
] | BBC News | UK | BBC presenter shot dead Monday, April 26, 1999 Published at 14:55 GMT 15:55 UK UK BBC presenter shot dead Jill Dando presented Crimewatch and Holiday BBC television presenter Jill Dando has died after she was shot in the head on the doorstep of her home. Ms Dando, 37, who presented Crimewatch UK and Holiday, suffered a fatal brain injury in the attack in Fulham, west London. She was taken to nearby Charing Cross Hospital, where she was confirmed dead on arrival at 1303 BST (1203 GMT). Her post mortem examination later revealed that she had received a single gunshot wound to the head. Police are combing the street for clues A Scotland Yard statement said: "A post mortem held today at Fulham mortuary established the cause of death as a brain injury caused by a single gunshot wound to the head." There had been early reports that she suffered multiple stab wounds, but one neighbour in Gowan Avenue said he had heard a gunshot. The BBC's Kate Adie: "The kind of woman who had no enemies" The Queen said she was "shocked and saddened" by the news of the death of Ms Dando, who helped the Duke of York to promote the Fight for Sight charity. Prime Minister Tony Blair also spoke of his shock at the death. Ms Dando's fianc�, gynaecologist Alan Farthing, said: ''I am totally devastated and unable to comprehend what has happened. Jill was respected for her professional ability, admired by all who met her and adored by anyone who got to know her.'' Police, who have launched a murder inquiry, later cordoned off the footpath next to the River Thames from Putney Bridge. There were unconfirmed reports that a man jumped off the bridge, or was stopped as he tried to jump. The BBC's Nick Higham: "An enormous tragedy" Detectives want to speak to a man seen running from the murder scene. He was described as white, tall, in his late 30s or early 40s, with dark hair, clean-shaven and wearing a green Barbour jacket. Richard Hughes: She was covered in blood Neighbours called the emergency services after they saw her collapsed and seriously injured in the doorway of the house in Gowan Avenue at 1147 BST. Richard Hughes, 32, who lives next door to Miss Dando, said: "I heard her scream, it was a distinctive scream, she sounded quite surprised. Jill Dando's neighbour Richard Hughes: "I heard a scream" "I opened the shutters and saw a man, he was well dressed, he was wearing a Barbour-style jacket and at first I thought it must have been a friend of Jill's as he looked very respectable. "I went to the door and saw her lying on the doorstep, she was unconscious and covered in blood. I was obviously shocked. I took a look at her and she wasn't breathing." Nick Ross: "She was everything one could want in a colleague and friend" Police are appealing for anyone with information to ring 0181 246 0730 or 0181 246 0734. Jill Dando was hugely popular among BBC viewers, her bright presenting style proving a hit in a variety of programmes. BBC News Online received more than 2,000 tributes from users within three hours of posting a page on the Internet. Her co-presenter on Crimewatch UK, Nick Ross, said: "The shock is palpable. I can't believe we are talking about her in the past tense." Safety concern Ms Dando and Nick Ross presented last week's show, which featured unsolved crimes including the Brixton nail bomb blast. Scotland Yard said there was no evidence that linked the murder with the programme. The BBC's Lindsey Marnoch: "Her personality seemingly perfectly matched for the sunny and upbeat features she presented" But the presenter told police earlier this year at a reception to mark the 10th anniversary of Crimewatch UK that she was concerned about her safety. Last year there were reports that Ms Dando had been stalked by a fan, who had subjected her to frightening phone calls and letters. Tony Hall, chief executive of BBC News, said: "I think we have to think carefully about people in the public eye and what protection if any they should have." BBC Director General Sir John Birt said: "Everyone at the BBC is devastated. She was a much-loved |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which Gerry Anderson TV character is modelled upon James Garner?"
] | Stingray (TV Series 1964–1965) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Gerry Anderson's third SF supermarionation saga told the adventures of the WASPs (the World Aquanaut Security Patrol) as they explored the oceans and kept the world safe from a variety of ... See full summary » Creators: Troy and Phones rescue a comatose man and take him back to Marineville for treatment. 8.4 The Stingray crew is assigned to make monthly visits to Professor Darren and his team, who have developed a method for making gold from minerals taken from the sea bed. 8.2 Duke Dexter the world's most famous singer will be visiting Marineville for a benefit concert. Titan, although unsure who Dexter is, decides he could be valuable to Titanica's plans and arranges for ... 8.1 a list of 43 titles created 29 Mar 2011 a list of 46 titles created 26 Oct 2011 a list of 50 titles created 19 Aug 2012 a list of 25 titles created 03 Nov 2013 a list of 25 titles created 29 Oct 2014 Search for " Stingray " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. A literally unkillable agent leads an international intelligence agency's fight against an extra-terrestrial terror campaign. Stars: Francis Matthews, Ed Bishop, Donald Gray The adventures of a preteen secret agent who can have any useful skills downloaded into his brain. Stars: Len Jones, Rupert Davies, Keith Alexander In the 21st century, the Tracy family operate a unique private mechanized emergency response service. Stars: Sylvia Anderson, Peter Dyneley, David Graham Fireball XL5 was part of the fleet of interplanetary rockets protecting Sector 25 of the Solar System from alien invasion under the supervision of the World Space Patrol. In command of XL5 ... See full summary » Stars: Paul Maxwell, Sylvia Anderson, David Graham The International Rescue team is faced with one of its toughest challenges yet, as the revolutionary lighter-than-air craft Skyship One is hijacked while on her maiden voyage around the ... See full summary » Director: David Lane Gerry Anderson's first science fiction Supermarionation series. Super Car was a prototype vehicle that could travel in the air, on land or beneath the sea. Its test pilot was Mike Mercury, ... See full summary » Stars: David Graham, Graydon Gould, Sylvia Anderson In the year 2020 Earth is under threat from Martian androids who want revenge on the human race. They consist of Zelda, her son Yung-star and her sister called Cy-star. An organisation is ... See full summary » Stars: Jeremy Hitchen, Denise Bryer, Anne Ridler Children's animation from the 'Smallfilms' team of Postgate and Firmin. In the 'top, left hand corner of Wales' runs an archaic railway line staffed by such characters as Jones the Steam ... See full summary » Stars: Olwen Griffiths, Anthony Jackson, Oliver Postgate Camberwick Green (TV Series 1966) Animation | Family Iconic British children's animated series set in the fictional, picturesque village of the title. Each episode opens with a character emerging from a music box and they will be the central character of the forthcoming story. Stars: Brian Cant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X A sequel, of sorts, to Camberwick Green but set in the larger, nearby town of Trumpton. Each episode opens with the town hall clock and ends with the fire brigade band playing. Every show tells the story of one of the townsfolk. Stars: Brian Cant Popular British children's animation series, repeated almost constantly since 1971. Mr Benn is the ordinary, bowler-hatted office worker who lives in the ordinary suburban street of Festive... See full summary » Stars: Ray Brooks The Wombles (TV Series 1973) Animation | Family The misadventures of a fantasy folk community dedicated to cleaning up litter and put it to their own use. Stars: Berna |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"In which fictional county would you find DCI Tom Barnaby?"
] | Chief Inspector Barnaby series by Caroline Graham Chief Inspector Barnaby series 9 works, 7 primary works Tom Barnaby is the Detective Chief Inspector of the fictional English county of Midsomer. The character of DCI Barnaby is featured in the television mystery series Midsomer Murders. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which board game is also known as Reversi?"
] | Quick Games – Reversi, also known as, Othello! | Tame The Board Game Tame The Board Game Home Quick Games – Reversi, also known as, Othello! Quick Games – Reversi, also known as, Othello! Creator(s): John W. Mollett , Lewis Waterman (Designers) and Kinetic (Artist) Othello is a great game; for anyone that knows it, they’ll know how much fun it is, and for anyone who doesn’t, it’s quick and easy to learn and it keeps you on your toes as the table can turn at literally any point in the game. You can be winning right up until the last few pieces are laid and then find yourself the loser! It’s definitely not as quick as Fanarona , but can still easily be played in less than half an hour. The pictures in this post are larger than they have been in previous posts, due to the shape of the board and the angle that we had the camera at. There are also less photos, as the game is not very complicated and we felt that filling the post with pictures would just be throwing images at you that you didn’t need, or, probably, want. Othello starting position History and Things: The game was invented at the end of the 19th century; both Lewis Waterman and John W. Mollett (two Englishmen) claimed to be the inventors of the game. The first ever versions of the game were produced in 1882 by Waterman and Mollett themselves. It was patented in 1888 and published under the name Reversi in 1898. Reversi was based on a game invented by Mollett in 1870 called The Game of Annexation (or Annex for short), the only known difference between this game and Reversi is that Annex is played on a board shaped like a cross. So instead of the 8×8 – essentially a chess board – that Reversi/Othello is played on Annex was played on an 10×4 cross. In 1880, in a publication of The Queen, Waterman proposed a new version of Annex, called Reversi, to be played on a conventional Chess Board, and named himself inventor, he registered the name in 1887. In 1886 Mollett published the same game with the name Annex, a game of reverses. Mollett was initially not allowed to use the word ‘reverses’, so he appealed, won and the word ‘Reversi’ was freed. Whilst the Waterman release of Reversi was not sold with a board – the box stated that you had to play it on a chess board – the Mollett version was sold with a cheap paper 8×8 board and carried the Annex, or Annexation name. From reading all this it’s clear that Mollett was the primary creator of the game, he was responsible for the original rules and game pieces, where Waterman is responsible for the board shape, size, and the name Reversi. Jumping forward almost 100 years to 1971. Goro Hasegawa reinvented the game, naming it Othello with the rule set currently used on the international tournament stage; the Japanese games company Tsukada Original published it. (I managed to make ten points this time!!) Othello was chosen as a name for many reasons – all of them deriving from Shakespeare’s play. I’ve put a few in here; Iago makes a direct reference to how he is “two faced” in the play, which accounts for the double-sided black-and-white playing pieces which are continually flipped throughout the game. There is also the conflict between black Othello and Desdemona who is white to be considered. For those who have an interest in Shakespeare, the similarities continue – reread Othello and see how many you can find! Game Play! In Othello players take it in turns to place pieces and black always moves first. When placing pieces you must be able to “take” the other players pieces. To take pieces you must be able to trap their pieces between two of your own on a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line, doing this means that you flip all the pieces on that line to your colour. there are occasions when you can place a piece that completes two or more lines, this means you can flip every piece of the other colour that is on a line you’ve just created. If you cannot place a piece anywhere that allows you to take, or flip, your opponents pieces, you forfeit your turn and your opponent continues to place pieces until a move becomes avail |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which David Essex hit was co-written by Mike Batt & Tim Rice?"
] | A Winters Tale David Essex MIDI File | Hit Trax Melody Channel: 4 Video for A Winters Tale by David Essex Watch this Hit Trax song video of A Winters Tale in the style of David Essex for a preview of this Hit Trax backing track. The audio file used in this video contains the same song data we program in the MIDI File backing track. Some tracks may include sampled instruments from high quality sample libraries. Most times we record the audio direct from the outputs of a MIDI File player like a MERISH, Roland or Yamaha device. TECHNICAL NOTES for A Winters Tale in the style of David Essex. It’s important to remember sonic results may vary in different MIDI File players and devices, including sound libraries. Hit Trax assumes buyers know the capabilities and limitations of their MIDI playback devices, sound library, related devices and apps. Click the 'Show all David Essex MIDI File Backing Tracks box’. to view all Hit Trax titles by David Essex. |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Pound, cup and foot are all types of what?"
] | Customary measuring units worksheets You are here: Home → Worksheets → customary units Customary measuring units worksheets Create an unlimited supply of worksheets for conversion of customary measurement units (inches, feet, yards, miles, ounces, pounds, tons, ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons). The worksheets can be made in html or PDF format — both are easy to print. You can also customize them using the generator below . Conversions between measuring units are studied all through elementary school, starting with very easy problems in grades 3-4 and advancing to converting measurements that use decimals in grades 5-7. On this page you will find measuring worksheets for: Grade 6 Basic instructions for the worksheets Each worksheet is randomly generated and thus unique. The answer key is automatically generated and is placed on the second page of the file. You can generate the worksheets either in html or PDF format — both are easy to print. To get the PDF worksheet, simply push the button titled "Create PDF" or "Make PDF worksheet". To get the worksheet in html format, push the button "View in browser" or "Make html worksheet". This has the advantage that you can save the worksheet directly from your browser (choose File → Save) and then edit it in Word or other word processing program. Sometimes the generated worksheet is not exactly what you want. Just try again! To get a different worksheet using the same options: PDF format: come back to this page and push the button again. Html format: simply refresh the worksheet page in your browser window. Measurement unit worksheets for grade 3 (and grade 4) Whole feet and inches - easy (3 ft = ____ in or 60 in = ___ ft) |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"A UK Number 1 for Diana Ross in March 1986 written by the Bee Gees?"
] | CHAIN REACTION - Diana Ross & The Bee Gees - YouTube CHAIN REACTION - Diana Ross & The Bee Gees Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Apr 21, 2015 "Chain Reaction" is a melodic R&B song, sung by Diana Ross, and written by the Bee Gees, who also provided the backing vocals for the single. The track was released on the album Eaten Alive in 1985 and as a single twice - in 1985 and again in 1986. According to the Gibbs biography, the brothers had initial reservations about offering the song to Ross in case it was too Motown-like for her. The single became Diana's second #1 hit in the UK Singles Chart. The song also hit #1 in Australia and was the top selling single of the year (1986) in that country. In New Zealand, it peaked at No. 3. In 1993, the song broke the UK top 20 again. The song fared poorly in the US where it initially peaked at a disappointing #95 on the Billboard Hot 100 late in 1985. A few months later, a remixed version of the song was issued as a single (Ross performed this version of the song on the American Music Awards, which she hosted that year). The new version re-entered the chart and performed better, but with the diminished momentum, it stalled at #66 in Billboard and #77 in Cash Box. Nearly thirty years later, the song stands as Ross's last appearance on both 100-position charts. Diana Ernestine Earle Ross (born March 26, 1944) is an American singer, actress, record producer and an occasional songwriter. Born and raised in Detroit, she rose to fame as a founding member and lead singer of the vocal group The Supremes, which, during the 1960s, became Motown's most successful act and is to this day America's most successful vocal group as well as one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. As part of the Supremes, Ross most notably rivaled the career of the Beatles in worldwide popularity, and her success made it possible for future African American R&B and soul acts to find mainstream success. The group set a record scoring twelve number-one hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Following her departure from the Supremes in 1970, Ross released her debut solo album, Diana Ross, which contained the hits "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and the #1 hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". She released the album Touch Me in the Morning in 1973. Its title track reached #1 becoming her second solo hit. By 1975, the Mahogany soundtrack included her 3rd number-one hit "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)". Her 1976 album Diana Ross included her fourth #1 hit "Love Hangover". In 1979, Ross released her first gold certified album The Boss. Her 1980 album Diana which reached #2 on the Billboard albums chart and spawned the #1 hit "Upside Down" and the international hit "I'm Coming Out". After leaving Motown, Ross achieved her sixth and final #1 hit with the duet "Endless Love". Category |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who won an Academy Award for best supporting actor forThe Fighter?"
] | The Fighter - Awards - IMDb Mark Wahlberg THE FIGHTER packs a punch with such power that it smashes through the boxing genre and into a ... More THE FIGHTER packs a punch with such power that it smashes through the boxing genre and into a higher class. This true American tale is celebrated by director David O. Russell as an exploration of competitive dysfunction, while championing the fighter in each of the film's characters. Mark Wahlberg stands tall and proud as the significant heart of a film filled with knockout performances from Melissa Leo, Amy Adams and Christian Bale's Dicky, "The Pride of Lowell," who spars with inner demons, but finds the will to be in his brother's corner when it counts. African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) 2010 Won |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"An idiom meaning a no win situation came from which novel by Joseph Heller?"
] | Catch-22 - Idioms by The Free Dictionary Catch-22 - Idioms by The Free Dictionary http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/Catch-22 Related to Catch-22: Joseph Heller Catch-22 A no-win dilemma or paradox, similar to damned if I do, damned if I don't . For example, You can't get a job without experience, but you can't get experience unless you have a job-it's Catch-22 . The term gained currency as the title of a 1961 war novel by Joseph Heller, who referred to an Air Force rule whereby a pilot continuing to fly combat missions without asking for relief is regarded as insane, but is considered sane enough to continue flying if he does make such a request. catch-22 n. a directive that is impossible to obey without violating some other, equally important, directive. There was nothing I could do. It was a classic catch-22. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: Write what you mean clearly and correctly. References in periodicals archive ? With regard to the frequency of negation in Catch-22 and in the sections of general fiction in LOB-K and Brown-K, the most important conclusion is that negation is more frequent in Catch-22 than in LOB-K or Brown-K. Prot U It's a catch-22 for bathing operations in a nursing home: The demands of safer technology and risks of Legionella liability have stirred a trend toward institutional acceptance of the need to store hot water at 140[degrees]F or more and maintain water at 124[degrees]F or more in hot-water lines--temperatures that will neutralize or kill all bacteria. Bathing safety for the elderly and disabled: can residents be protected from all hazards posed by bathing water? Technology's answer Byatt's Essential Guide (0099452219) covers all her major themes, narrative techniques, and writings; Iris Murdoch (0099452227) covers Murdoch's works of literature and reveals the source of her ideas; and American Fiction: The Essential Guide (0099445069) provides an overview analysis of the major themes to American classics Catcher In The Rye, To Kill A Mockingbird, Native Son, and Catch-22. |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Tufted, Ruddy and Mandarin are types of which bird species?"
] | Ducks | North American Birds | Birds of North America Birds of North America Lives, Habitats & Pictures of Ducks Enter Bird's Name in Search Box: www.birds-of-north-america.net There are at least twenty-eight types of ducks living in North America, not included in these water birds are the eiders, loons, mergansers, smews, scoters and teals. Among these different types, the birds can be grouped again into puddle, aka "dabbling" and diving ducks. The dabblers mostly feed in smaller bodies of shallow water or along shorelines, where they are able to tip their bodies forward to reach their food on the bottom. There are divers who feed in deeper water where they dive and pursue their quarry. Some of these birds, the Harlequin Duck for example, actually dives to the bottom of fast-flowing waters and feeds on life forms attached to rocks. Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of Ducks of North America |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Lapsong souchong is a type of what?"
] | Lapsang souchong | WikiTea | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit High grade lapsang souchong possesses a taste of dried longan for the first few brews. Lapsang souchong's flavour is strong and smoky, similar to the smell of a barbecue or campfire , or of Latakia pipe tobacco. The flavour of the pine smoke is meant to complement the natural taste of the black tea, but should not overwhelm it. Tea merchants marketing to westerners note that this variety of tea generally produces a strong reaction—with most online reviews extremely positive or strongly negative. Tea connoisseurs often note that Formosan lapsang souchong typically has a stronger flavour and aroma, the most extreme being tarry souchong (smoked, as the name implies, over burning pine tar). Smoke roast Edit Smoke roast (熏焙 xun bei): Roasting in a bamboo basket called honglong (烘笼) that is heated over burning firewood, which contributes to the dried longan aroma and smoky flavor. Pine tree was used as the firewood for lapsang souchong and contains the characteristic resin aroma and taste. Chemistry Edit The unique aroma of lapsang souchong is due to a variety of chemical compounds. The two most abundant constituents of the aroma are longifolene and α-terpineol . Many of the compounds making up the aroma of lapsang souchong, including longifolene, originate only in the pine smoke, and are not found in other kinds of tea. [1] Cultural references Edit In American author James A. Michener's 1974 historical novel Centennial , Rocky Mountain fur trapper Alexander McKeag describes lapsang souchong as "a man's tea, deep and subtle and blended in some rugged place," ... "better even than whisky." [2] In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Captain Picard's tea of choice was originally intended by actor Patrick Stewart to be lapsang souchong, but was changed to Earl Grey by the writers, as it was more familiar with the American audience. Colin Hay , singer from the Australian band Men at Work references lapsang souchong in his song "Beautiful World," from his 2001 album Going Somewhere . The hit TV show, The Mentalist, the protagonist's (Patrick Jane, an inveterate tea drinker) favorite tea is Lapsang Souchong. References |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who created the character of Brigit Jones?"
] | · November 16, 2016 · "Helen Fielding has been delighting readers since 1996 with the Bridget Jones series, books that both reinvented and exalted the diary format. Bridget is back in Mad About The Boy, and as wonderfully human as ever. This third installment in the series weaves together the messy, manic, utterly relatable diary entries we expect, with some delightfully 2010s additions (Bridget Jones on Twitter!) Our heroine has a whole new host of twists and turns to navigate in the digital age. Be prepared for some real time emotion as well, amid the hijinks" |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which 1949 British film featured the character of Harry Lime?"
] | The Third Man (1949) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime. Director: a list of 47 titles created 29 Nov 2011 a list of 34 titles created 28 Dec 2012 a list of 25 titles created 19 Aug 2014 a list of 22 titles created 24 Feb 2015 a list of 25 titles created 3 months ago Title: The Third Man (1949) 8.3/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards » Videos A stark, perverse story of murder, kidnapping, and police corruption in a Mexican border town. Director: Orson Welles A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent-film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity. Director: Billy Wilder An insurance representative lets himself be talked into a murder/insurance fraud scheme that arouses an insurance investigator's suspicions. Director: Billy Wilder A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette. Director: John Huston Fred Dobbs and Bob Curtin, two Americans searching for work in Mexico, convince an old prospector to help them mine for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Director: John Huston Following the death of a publishing tycoon, news reporters scramble to discover the meaning of his final utterance. Director: Orson Welles When the police in a German city are unable to catch a child-murderer, other criminals join in the manhunt. Director: Fritz Lang A man tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue. Director: Billy Wilder When two male musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in. Director: Billy Wilder A hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive. Director: Alfred Hitchcock A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise. Director: Billy Wilder A self-conscious bride is tormented by the memory of her husband's dead first wife. Director: Alfred Hitchcock Edit Storyline An out of work pulp fiction novelist, Holly Martins, arrives in a post war Vienna divided into sectors by the victorious allies, and where a shortage of supplies has lead to a flourishing black market. He arrives at the invitation of an ex-school friend, Harry Lime, who has offered him a job, only to discover that Lime has recently died in a peculiar traffic accident. From talking to Lime's friends and associates Martins soon notices that some of the stories are inconsistent, and determines to discover what really happened to Harry Lime. Written by Mark Thompson <[email protected]> Carol Reed's Classic Thriller See more » Genres: 31 August 1949 (UK) See more » Also Known As: The 3rd Man See more » Filming Locations: $13,576 (USA) (7 May 1999) Gross: Graham Greene 's only original screenplay. See more » Goofs In the sewer, before putting his fingers through the grate, Harry Lime holds the stair's supporting pole with his right hand, but the gun should be in his hand, as displayed before and after this shot. See more » Quotes Opening credits prologue: V I E N N A See more » Connections That Terrific B&W Cinematography 20 June 2009 | by Lechuguilla (Dallas, Texas) – See all my reviews In a bombed-out Vienna just after WWII, novelist Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) arrives from America to renew a friendship with his childhood buddy, Harry |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who is known in Scotland as 'Duke of Rothesay' and has the middle names of Philip Arthur George?"
] | Charles, Prince of Wales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Your continued donations keep Wikipedia running! Charles, Prince of Wales "Prince Charles" redirects here. For other people known as Prince Charles, see Prince Charles (disambiguation) . Prince Charles Prince of Wales; Scot : Duke of Rothesay Spouse Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor Titles HRH The Prince of Wales HRH The Duke of Cornwall HRH Prince Charles of Edinburgh Buckingham Palace , London The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor ; born Windsor , 14 November 1948 ), is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh . He is Heir Apparent to the respective thrones of the United Kingdom and the other 15 Commonwealth Realms . He has held the title of Prince of Wales since 1958, and is styled HRH The Prince of Wales, except in Scotland , where he is styled HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay , and (unofficially) in Cornwall, where he is known as "The Duke of Cornwall". Constitutionally, he is the first in line to the throne, but third in order of precedence , following his parents. The Prince of Wales is well-known for his extensive charity work, particularly for the Prince's Trust . He also carries out a full schedule of royal duties and, increasingly, is taking on more royal roles from his ageing parents. The Prince is also well known for his marriages to the late Diana, Princess of Wales and, subsequently, to Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall . Contents Prince Charles was born on 14 November 1948 at Buckingham Palace . His father is The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , eldest son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg . At the time of his birth, his mother was The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh , the elder daughter of King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and his father was The Duke of Edinburgh (having not yet been created a Prince of the United Kingdom). His mother was Heiress Presumptive to the British throne at the time of the Prince's birth. The Prince was baptised in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace on 15 December 1948 by the Archbishop of Canterbury , Dr Geoffrey Fisher and his godparents were: King George VI , Queen Mary , Princess Margaret , the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven , Hon. David Bowes-Lyon , Lady Brabourne , King Haakon VII of Norway (for whom the Earl of Athlone stood proxy) and Prince George of Greece (for whom Prince Philip stood proxy). Under letters patent issued by the Prince's great grandfather, King George V , the title of a British prince and the style His Royal Highness was only available to the children and grandchildren in the male-line of the sovereign and the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. As Charles was a female-line grandchild of the sovereign, he would have taken his title from his father, The Duke of Edinburgh, and would have been styled by courtesy as Earl of Merioneth . However the title of Prince and Princess, with the style HRH was granted to all the children of Princess Elizabeth by new letters patent issued by King George VI. In this way the children of the heiress presumptive had a royal and princely status not thought necessary for the children of King George VI's other daughter, Princess Margaret . Thus from birth Charles was known as His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Edinburgh. Styles of [ edit ] Early life In 1952, his mother assumed the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II . Prince Charles immediately became Duke of Cornwall under a charter of King Edward III , which gave that title to the Sovereign's eldest son, and was then referred to as HRH The Duke of Cornwall. He also became, in the Scottish Peerage, Duke of Rothesay , Earl of Carrick and Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland . The Duke of Cornwall was now the heir apparent to the throne. He attended his mother’s coronation at Westminster Abbey , sitting with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and his aunt, The Princess Margaret . [ edit ] School As with ro |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which actor has played Guy Perron in The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Dr. Jonathan Clemens in Alien 3 (1992), Sardo Numspa in The Golden Child (1986) and Benedict in Last Action Hero (1993)?"
] | Charles Dance - IMDb IMDb Actor | Director | Writer Charles Dance is an English actor, screenwriter, and film director. Dance typically plays assertive bureaucrats or villains. Some of his most high-profile roles are Tywin Lannister in HBO's Game of Thrones (2011), Guy Perron in The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Sardo Numspa in The Golden Child (1986), Dr. Jonathan Clemens in Alien 3 (1992), Benedict ... See full bio » Born: a list of 30 people created 17 Jan 2014 a list of 26 people created 01 Jan 2015 a list of 38 people created 13 Jul 2015 a list of 22 people created 14 Oct 2015 a list of 43 people created 11 months ago Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDbPage How much of Charles Dance's work have you seen? User Polls Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 10 wins & 15 nominations. See more awards » Known For 2015 Childhood's End (TV Mini-Series) Karellen 2013 Common Ground (TV Series short) Floyd 2007 Consenting Adults (TV Movie) Jack Wolfenden 2006 Agatha Christie's Marple (TV Series) Septimus Bligh 2005 Titanic: Birth of a Legend (TV Movie documentary) Narrator (voice) 2005 Last Rights (TV Mini-Series) Wheeler 2004 Don Bosco (TV Movie) Marchese Clementi 2004 When Hitler Invaded Britain (TV Movie documentary) Narrator (voice) 2003 Trial & Retribution (TV Series) Greg Harwood 2002 Foyle's War (TV Series) Guy Spencer 2000 Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (TV Series) Kenneth Crisby 2000 Justice in Wonderland (TV Movie) Neil Hamilton 1991 The Flying Doctors (TV Series) Minister 1986 Screen Two (TV Series) Paul Hatcher 1985 Time for Murder (TV Series) James Latimer 1980-1984 Play for Today (TV Series) Captain John Truman / Colin 1983 The Last Day (TV Movie) Alan 1983 The Professionals (TV Series) Parker 1982 Frost in May (TV Mini-Series) Reynaud Callaghan 1982 Nancy Astor (TV Mini-Series) Edward Hartford-Jones 1974 Father Brown (TV Series) Commandant Neil O'Brien 1974 The Inheritors (TV Series) Simon Leadbetter - Fathers and Sons (1974) ... Simon Leadbetter Hide 2004 Ladies in Lavender (written by) Hide 2004 Ladies in Lavender (executive producer) Hide 2014 Good Morning America (TV Series) Himself - Guest 2014 Room 101 (TV Series) Himself 2011-2013 Living the Life (TV Series) Himself - Introduction / Himself 2013 The Science of Doctor Who (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Participant 2013 Speeches That Shook the World (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Actor 2013 Cinema 3 (TV Series) Himself - The Unseen Bits (2013) ... Himself (as Charles Dance OBE) - Episode #7.2 (2013) ... Himself (as Charles Dance OBE) 2013 Top Gear (TV Series) Himself - Special Guest 2013 Goodbye Granadaland (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2012 Words of the Titanic (TV Movie documentary) Narrator (voice) 2012 This Week (TV Series) Himself 2011 Neverland: Where It All Began (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2011 Making Mischief (Video documentary short) Himself 2009 Merlin: Secrets & Magic (TV Series documentary) Himself 2009 The One Show (TV Series) Himself 2008 Drama Trails (TV Series documentary) Himself 2008 Dickens Secret Lover (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Presenter 2007 The Best of Masterpiece Theatre (TV Special documentary) Himself 2007 HBO First Look (TV Series documentary) Himself 2007 The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2006 Tubridy Tonight (TV Series) Himself 2005 The 50 Greatest Documentaries (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2004 Film 2016 (TV Series) Himself 2004 This Morning (TV Series) Himself 2003 V Graham Norton (TV Series) Himself 2003 Collision Course (TV Movie documentary) Narrator 2002 The Making of Gosford Park (TV Short documentary) Himself (uncredited) 1995-2001 This Is Your Life (TV Series documentary) Himself 1998 The Making of 'Space Truckers' (Video documentary short) Himself - 'Mancanudo' / 'Nabel' 1993 Entertainment UK (TV Series) Himself - Interviewee 1993 Primer plano (TV Series) Himself 1992 The Making of 'Alien 3' (TV Movie documentary) Himself 1990 This Week (TV Series) Himself 2013 Cinemassacre's Monster Ma |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Carlos Irwin EstĂŠvez is better known by what stage name?"
] | Charlie Sheen Topics Charlie Sheen Carlos Irwin Estévez (born September 3, 1965), better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American actor. He has appeared in films such as Platoon (1986), The Wraith (1986), Wall Street (1987), Major League (1989), Hot Shots! (1991), Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), Scary Movie 3 (2003), and Scary Movie 4 (2006). On television, Sheen is known for his roles on Spin City, Two and a Half Men, and Anger Management. In 2010, Sheen was the highest paid actor on television and earned US$1.8 million per episode of Two and a Half Men. Sheen's personal life has also made headlines, including reports about alcohol and drug abuse and marital problems, as well as allegations of domestic violence. He was fired from his role on Two and a Half Men by CBS and Warner Bros. on March 7, 2011. Sheen subsequently announced a nationwide tour. Sheen was born Carlos Irwin Estevez in New York City, the youngest son and third of four children of actor Martin Sheen and artist Janet Templeton. His paternal... |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What are the first names of the Saatchi brothers? (Both required for 1 point)"
] | The Saatchi Brothers’ Breakup | Vanity Fair The Saatchi Brothers’ Breakup SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTER The Saatchi Brothers’ Breakup Maurice and Charles Saatchi sold Margaret Thatcher to Britain and the Concorde to the world; by the mid-1980s their advertising company was the biggest on the planet. Then Charles was eased out, and Maurice was ousted in a boardroom coup. Fiammetta Rocco traces the story behind the brothers’ tempestuous departure, including a $38 million revelation, a battle for revenge, and the birth of the New Saatchi Agency. Twitter ‘Make no mistake,” said a Saatchi & Saatchi senior staffer in the wake of recent events which have threatened the company’s future and shaken the entire advertising world, “all of this, every single move the company makes, is revenge. Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!” This tale of vengeance begins with a man at a window. The view from Maurice Saatchi’s old office is surprisingly ordinary. Hardly what you’d expect for the co-founder of an upstart advertising agency that became a vast creative giant, the most famous name in the field. Still, there is something soothing about the sooty skyline of London, and Saatchi needed soothing last December 16, when his board of directors kept him waiting for seven hours in the purgatory of his bright bunker with its white desk and white walls. Within days, he would join Elvis, Madonna, Charles and Diana as a British tabloid icon recognizable by only his first name: Maurice Versus the Beancounters. Or Maurice Stages a Talent Raid. But on that December day, there was only the skyline for distraction, the city lights, and the company of his older brother Charles, with whom Maurice has shared a business partnership and a fraternal rivalry that reminds public-relations maestro Sir Tim Bell of Cain and Abel. “The level of rage,” says Bell, “is extraordinary.” On that December day, however, Cain and Abel spoke in quiet tones. And what did they discuss? “I don’t know,” Maurice says. “I just remember being there a very long time.” Down the hall, the Saatchi board was sequestered behind closed doors. Their topic was ostensibly confidential, though such was the company’s fame that speculation about the outcome of the meeting was splashed over the morning papers. Maurice Saatchi was under siege. For nearly 25 years, he had ruled a company defined by the phrase “Nothing is impossible” and an attitude of gunslinging self-assurance so profound that insiders called it “the virus.” He had stood at the center of his company’s every victory: the momentous occasion when a handful of brazen campaign posters won the undying loyalty of Margaret Thatcher and the Conservatives; the day when Saatchi’s seemingly life-size poster of the Concorde ascending was installed near the Queens Midtown Tunnel in Manhattan; the time in 1986 when the agency’s London share price hit a high of $78 (an increase of more than 10,000 percent on the launch price); the premiere of the hugely successful “Tastes Great, Less Filling” campaign for Miller Lite; the opening of the agency’s landmark Manhattan fortress, with its rooftop running track; the 43rd corporate acquisition, when Saatchi became the largest advertising company on the face of the globe. That was then. Saatchi & Saatchi’s current offices, at 83–89 Whitfield Street in Fitzrovia, a rather drab London neighborhood, now seem emblematic of a frailer spirit. The sixth-floor boardroom is functional, devoid of expensive canvases, representative of a style the Italians call meschino, or “mean.” The table is large, but not imposing. It makes no claims. The chairs do merely the job they were made for. It’s a far cry from the days before the company’s financial comeuppance, when art filled the Saatchi suites at the company’s global headquarters. The vast immeuble stretched across one entire side of Berkeley Square, anchoring a neighborhood where Lord Lucan once played back-gammon at the Clermont Club and Prince Charles danced the night away at Annabel’s. Yet even before the battle of December 16, the spirit of Saatchi & Saatchi had been broken by |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which actor has been cast opposite Dakota Johnson to play Christian Grey in the film of Fifty Shades of Grey?"
] | Fifty Shades of Grey film: Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam cast - Telegraph Film news Fifty Shades of Grey film: Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam cast Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James has announced that Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam will play the main characters of Anastasia and Christian Grey in the forthcoming film. Image 1 of 2 Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson have been cast in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie Photo: Getty Image 1 of 2 Dakota Johnson has been cast as Anastasia in the Fifty Shades of Grey film Photo: Getty Images By Alice Vincent , Entertainment writer, online 4:29PM BST 02 Sep 2013 Follow After months of speculation, actress and model Dakota Johnson has been announced to play Anastasia in the Fifty Shades of Grey film , while Charlie Hunnam will play Christian Grey. EL James, the author behind the erotic trilogy and, according to Forbes, the richest writer in the world, broke the news on her Twitter feed on Monday . Ms James wrote: "I am delighted to let you know that the lovely Dakota Johnson has agreed to be our Anastasia in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey." An hour later, she posted: "The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey." Johnson, who is 23, is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. She has appeared on screen with Griffith in Crazy in Alabama, her film debut in 1999, but is better known for supporting roles in rom-com The Five Year Engagement and Facebook film, The Social Network, in which she appeared opposite Justin Timberlake. LOOK: Victor Rasuk cast as Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey Newcastle-born Hunnam, who is 33, came to fame after appearing in popular North East TV series, Byker Grove. He has since appeared in Cold Mountain in 2003, Children of Men and, most recently, starred in Guillermo Del Toro's Pacific Rim as the retired fighter pilot Raleigh Becket. Related Articles The producers of The Social Network , Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, are producing Fifty Shades of Grey after being hand-picked by James. It was announced in June that British artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Wood would direct the film . Ever since film interest in making the best-selling trilogy was made public in March 2012, Fifty Shades fans have been guessing which actors would be cast in the picture. Previously, Emma Watson, Mila Kunis and Elizabeth Olson have all denied any association with the role of Anastasia, or Ana, the naïve university student who gets into a relationship with the older and domineering millionaire, Christian Grey. Hunman was among the few contenders thought to be connected to the role of Grey, along with Michael Fassbender, Robert Pattinson and Ian Somerhalder. The Fifty Shades of Grey film is due for release in August 2014. |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which hard-man American actor was married to Jill Ireland from 1968 until her death in 1990?"
] | Charles Bronson biography | birthday, trivia | American Actor | Who2 Charles Bronson Biography Name at birth: Charles Buchinsky (Buchinski) Movie star Charles Bronson is best known for starring in a run of urban crime dramas in the 1970s, including The Mechanic (1972), Mr. Majestyk (1974) and the original Death Wish (1974). Raised in the coal-mining region of Pennsylvania, Charles Bronson served in the United States Air Force during World War II, then ended up in California to study art and work as an actor. During the early 1950s he worked in television and movies, typecast as a tough-guy because of his craggy features and muscular build. By the 1960s his roles were bigger and so were the movies in which he appeared, including The Magnificent Seven (1960, with James Coburn ), Kid Galahad (1962, starring Elvis ), The Great Escape (1963, with Steve McQueen ) and The Dirty Dozen (1967, starring Lee Marvin ). Then Charles Bronson went to Europe to make movies and became an international star; the Italians called him “Il Brutto” and the French called him “le Monstre Sacré.” During the 1970s and ’80s he was a top box-office draw in the U.S. and Europe, appearing in two or three action movies a year. By the mid-1990s his appearances were few and far between as his health deteriorated. His films include the original House of Wax (1953), Machine-Gun Kelly (1958, a Roger Corman movie), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968, starring Henry Fonda ), The Valachi Papers (1972) and Hard Times (1975). Extra credit Charles Bronson was married to Jill Ireland, a co-star in many of his films, from 1968 until her death in 1990. Ireland had been previously married to David McCallum , Bronson’s co-star from The Great Escape… Charles Bronson was married two other times: to Harrier Tendler (from 1949 until their divorce in 1967) and to Kim Weeks (from 1998 until his death in 2003). |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What is the IATA airport code for the largest airport of France?"
] | IATA Airport codes - Alphabetical List By City Name IATA AIRPORT CODES Airports are listed here by city name. Click on a letter below to see the cities starting from that letter, or use the scroll bar. You can also search this list via the Edit/Find feature of your web browser. ABZ - Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom Dyce ABR - Aberdeen, SD, USA Aberdeen Regional Airport AHB - Abha, Saudi Arabia - Abha Airport ABJ - Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire Port Bouet ABI - Abilene, TX, USA Municipal AUH - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi International ABS - Abu Simbel, Egypt Abu Simbel ABV - Abuja, Nigeria - Abuja International Airport ACA - Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico Alvarez International ACC - Accra, Ghana Kotoka ADK - Adak Island, Alaska, USA, Adak Island Airport ADA - Adana, Turkey Adana ADD - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Bole ADL - Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Adelaide ADE - Aden, Yemen - Aden International Airport AGA - Agadir, Morocco Inezgane GUM - Agana, Guam, Guam Ab Wonpat Intl Airport IXA - Agartala, India Singerbhil AGF - Agen, France La Garenne AGR - Agra, India Kheria AJI - Agri, Turkey - Agri Airport BQN - Aguadilla, PR, USA IKA – Ahmadabad (Tehran), Iran - Imam Khomeini International Airport AMD - Ahmedabad, India Ahmedabad AWZ - Ahwaz, Iran - Ahwaz Airport QXB - Aix-En-Provence, France - Aix-En-Provence Airport AJA - Ajaccio, Corsica, France Campo Dell Oro AXT - Akita, Japan - Akita Airport CAK - Akron/Canton, OH, USA AkronCanton Regional Airport AKU - Aksu, China - Aksu Airport PVK - Aktion, Greece - Preveza-Lefkas Airport AKV - Akulivik, Canada - Akulivik Airport AEY - Akureyri, Iceland Akureyri KQA - Akutan, Alaska, USA - Akutan Airport AAN - Al Ain, United Arab Emirates - Al Ain Airport AAC - Al Arish, Egypt - Al Arish Airport ABT - Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia - Al Baha-Al Aqiq Airport AHU - Al Hoceima, Morocco - Al Hoceima Airport ALM - Alamogordo, NM, USA ALS - Alamosa, CO, USA Bergman Field ABC - Albacete, Spain - Albacete Airport ABY - Albany, GA, USA Dougherty County ALB - Albany, NY, USA Albany County Airport ALL - Albenga, Italy - Albenga Airport ABQ - Albuquerque, NM, USA Albuquerque International Airport ABX - Albury, New South Wales, Australia Albury ACI - Alderney, Channel Islands, United Kingdom The Blaye WKK - Aleknagik, Alaska, USA - Aleknagik Airport AED - Aleneva, Alaska, USA - Aleneva Airport ALP - Aleppo, Syria Nejrab HBE - ALexandria, Egypt Borg El Arab Airport AEX - Alexandria, LA, USA Alexandria Intl Airport XFS - Alexandria, Ontario, Canada Alexandria / Via Rail Service AXD - Alexandroupolis, Greece Alexandroupolis AHO - Alghero, Sardinia, Italy Fertilia ALG - Algiers, Algeria Houari Boumedienne ALC - Alicante, Spain Alicante ASP - Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia Alice Springs IXD - Allahabad, India Bamrauli ABE - Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton International, PA, USA ABE - Allentown, PA, USA AllentownBethlehemEaston Airport AIA - Alliance, NE, USA AOR - Alor Setar, Malaysia Sultan Abdul Halim GUR - Alotau, Papua New Guinea Gurney APN - Alpena, MI, USA Alpena Regional Airport ALE - Alpine, TX, USA Alpine Texas ALF - Alta, Norway Elvebakken ATM - Altamira, Brazil - Altamira Airport LTI - Altai, Govi-Altai, Mongolia - Altai Airport AAT - Altay, China - Altay Airport ACH - Altenrhein, Switzerland - Altenrhein Airport AOO - Altoona / Martinsburg, PA, USA Blair County ASJ - Amami O Shima, Japan - Amami O Shima Airport AMA - Amarillo, TX, USA Amarillo International Airport ABL - Ambler, AK, USA AMM - Amman, Jordan Queen Alia International YEY - Amos, Quebec, Canada ATQ - Amritsar, Punjab, India - Raja Sansi International Airport AMS - Amsterdam, Netherlands Schiphol ANC - Anchorage, AK, USA Anchorage International AOI - Ancona, Italy Falconara AZN - Andizhan, Uzbekistan - Andizhan Airport ASD - Andros Town, Bahamas AGN - Angoon, Alaska, USA - Angoon Airport AXA - Anguilla, Anguilla AAE - Annaba, Algeria Les Salines NCY - Annecy, France - AnnecyMeythe ANB - Anniston, AL, USA - Municipal AQG - Anqing, China - Anqing AOG - Anshan, Liaoning Province, China - Anshan AYT - Antalya, Turkey Antal |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who sang the title song of the 1981 Bond film, becoming the first title song artist to appear on screen in a Bond film?"
] | James Bond Music - James Bond Theme, films scores, title songs and the Bond 007 Composers Video Game Music The music of James Bond The "Bond Music Style" is so familiar to people, that it sometimes seems as though it was always there. But in fact it took a lot of effort to establish all the recognisable facets of this style. Monty Norman had scored most of the first movie "Dr. No" but neither he nor the film-makers were completely satisfied that they had captured the essence of Bond. John Barry was brought in and orchestrated one of Norman's songs on electric guitar, and the unmistakeable Bond Theme had arrived. Barry was asked to score the next film "From Russia with Love" which had a theme tune and incidental music incorporating elements of the Bond theme and its style. The theme song for the next film Goldfinger was written to be larger than life and Shirley Bassey was asked to sing it in her powerful voice. By now all the elements of the Bond Style were fully established and that format continued throughout the series, with John Barry staying on as composer for many years. A few other composers did one-off stints with Bond films, and there were several attempts to update the format and introduce pop songs and artists. It wasn't until the late 90s that David Arnold successfully updated the mix by introducing techno beats into the high-octane chase sequences, and Arnold remained as the resident Bond composer for several movies. The recent Daniel Craig movies have reinvented the series and the music has also gone Back to Basics. Skyfall saw another change in direction with music by Thomas Newman and an oscar-winning title song by Adele. The same team have largely returned for the latest Bond film Spectre , and Sam Smith sings the title song for Spectre called "Writing's on the Wall" composed by Smith with regular collaborator Jimmy Napes. Let's now look in more detail at the origins of the James Bond Sound: James Bond Theme The Bond Theme is such a vital part of the overall Bond sound that it is essential to look at its genesis first. Monty Norman had already scored much of the first Bond film "Dr. No" but was struggling to capture the essence of Bond with a suitable main theme. "Under the Mango Tree" was even considered as the title theme at one point! The producers liked some of the John Barry 's existing work so they asked him to help out, and to cut a long story short Barry arranged an existing melody of Norman's to create the main theme. The credits for Dr. No read "music composed by Monty Norman" and the James Bond theme "played by John Barry and Orchestra". So John Barry didn't receive a credit for the arrangement, but as a consolation price he had got his foot in the door of this major franchise and was to score many subsequent Bond films. Of course the story doesn't quite end there, and there have been two court cases concerning the matter when newspapers published articles claiming that Barry had written or substantially written the theme. Both courts ruled that Monty Norman composed the theme and that John Barry arranged it. To some people there is a lingering feeling of injustice, not just in this instance but in many instances where the creativity of an arranger is not recognised. To take an extreme ficticious example, a song-writer can write a simple melody with some lyrics. An arranger is employed to flesh out the song, writing intros and outros, beats and basslines, harmonies, bridges and hooks that make the song distinctive. Yet the arranger gets a flat fee and the song-writer receives all the royalties earned by the song. This can seem unfair but it is the way the music industry works, and certainly UK copyright law works that way. Back to the Bond theme, and John Barry recorded this with his Band. Vic Flick played the famous guitar riff in the first recording, and Barry's small band of saxophones and brass gave that distinctive jazz sound. It was that sound which became one of the defining features of the Bond Sound. The theme has been re-recorded and re-arranged many times since 1962, though it remai |
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"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"For your eyes only was the 12th Bond film, and the 5th to star which actor in the lead role?"
] | Super Reviewer ½ For the twelfth installment of the James Bond franchise (and Roger Moore's fifth turn in the lead role), the decision was made to, (aside from the cold opening) return the series to a more grounded and series route with focus on intrigue over gimmickry. And the results are mostly pretty successful. What we have here is Bond being sent on a mission to infiltrate the Greek underworld in order to locate and recover a missile command system, a task that also sees him getting caught up in an interlinked revenge plot. Revenge is actually a main theme throughout, and I liked it. Our main Bond girl is on a quest to avenge the deaths of her parents, and the cold opening sees Bond get vengeance on longtime arch nemesis Blofeld for good, though, due to legal reasons, he isn't called that. It's still obvious that's who it is though. I did enjoy this film, but I will be honest and say that it is a tad slow and times, and that it often feels dragged out and longer than the running time suggests. I appreciated that they toned down the camp, but aside from a few decently staged action sequences (the diving and fortress assault scenes especially) this one isn't really all that memorable, and the main villain is also not all that noteworthy or memorable. All in all though, this is one of Moore's better films, and I'd place it in the upper middle of his era when it comes to rankings. Chris Weber Super Reviewer ½ excellent locations, but the villain, story, action, and bond girl were all very forgettable. the villain switch was very clever, but overall a very lackluster addition to the bond series. danny d Super Reviewer From the outrageous and exciting opening to it`s hang on to your seat conclusion, this Bond is truly For Your Eyes Only. A fun, imaginative, tense and exhilarating action-adventure. It`s true escapist fun that does not let up for a minute. Moore rocks more than ever with his irresistible charm and humor. Carole Bouquet is dazzling and gorgeous. Al S |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which band sang the 1982 theme tune to Rocky III, 'Eye of the Tiger'?"
] | Eye of the Tiger | Rock Band Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Eye of the Tiger Male singer Vocal Tambourine Eye of the Tiger is a song by Survivor which was the theme song to Rocky III, which was the biggest movie of 1982. Tony Scotti was the president of Survivor's record label, and he played Sylvester Stallone some tracks from the previous Survivor album, Premonition. Stallone thought the sound, writing style and street appeal could fit in his new movie, so he called called Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan, who were Survivor's primary songwriters, and left messages on their answering machines. Says Peterik, "Answering machines were still something of a novelty back then and to see that blinking light was a thrill. When I pressed the playback button I heard, "Hey, yo, Jim, that's a nice message you got there. This is Sylvester Stallone.' It was too thick to be really him, but it was him. That's really the way he talks." The first 2 Rocky movies used a very popular orchestral theme written by Bill Conti. That song, "Gonna Fly Now," was a #1 hit in 1977. Says Peterik: "We didn't want to do anything like that. Stallone, in his first conversation to us, he made it real clear he wanted to distance himself from that first song. To him, it was great, but he wanted something to get to the youth market, the cutting edge. Looking back at age 53, it's hilarious to think I was once part of the cutting edge. We attempted to steer clear of the 'Gonna Fly Now' thing." Peterik: "When we got the initial rough cut of the movie, the scene that 'Eye Of The Tiger' appears in was cut to 'Another One Bites The Dust' by Queen. Frankie and I are watching this, the punches are being thrown, and we're going, 'Holy crap, this is working like a charm.' We called Stallone and said, 'Why aren't you using that?' He goes, 'Well, we can't get the publishing rights to it.' Frankie and I looked at each other and went, 'Man, this is going to be tough to beat.' We had the spirit of, 'We've got to try to top this.' I started doing that now-famous dead string guitar riff and started slashing those chords to the punches we saw on the screen, and the whole song took shape in the next 3 days." In the movie, Rocky Balboa is shown resting on his laurels, living the good life, doing American Express commercials and photo-ops and slacking off his training regimen. In stark contrast were scenes of the ominous Mr. T, training hard, sweating, bleeding and pouring out every last ounce of effort to become the boxing champion of the world. After the death of Rocky's trainer, played by Burgess Meredith, Rocky's friend (and former rival) Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers, implores Rocky to get back "The Eye Of The Tiger," meaning his edge and his hunger to be the champ. Peterik: "Frankie came in with the lines, 'Back on the street, doin' time, taking chances.' I loved those lines immediately and suggested, 'Rising up, back on the street, did my time, took my chances' to make it fit with the story line and to make the rhythm of the words fit the music I was hearing in my head. That was certainly the lyrical spark that got the song started. The next two hours flew by in a flash as we jammed, cassette recorder running non-stop to catch anything good we did for future reference, and at the end of the day, the music was about 80% complete and the lyric about 30%. Over the next few days, I worked hard on the lyrics, remembering pieces of movie dialogue like, 'Went the distance,' referring to the central phrase of the first Rocky movie." This was the #1 song of 1982. Peterik: "At first, we wondered if calling it 'Eye Of The Tiger' was too obvious. The initial draft of the song, we started with 'It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight, rising up to the spirit of our rival, and the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night, and it all comes down to survival.' We were going to call the song 'Survival.' In the rhyme scheme, you can tell we had set up 'rival' to rhyme with 'survival.' At the end of the day, we said, 'Are we nuts?' That hook is so strong, and 'r |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What was the final film directed, produced and co-written by Stanley Kubrick, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in the lead roles?"
] | Stanley Kubrick [matthewhunt.com] (broadcast in 1952-1953; Kubrick was photographed on the set by The Kentucky Courier-Journal , 26/10/1952). Marlon Brando asked him to direct and co-write One-Eyed Jacks (1961), and they collaborated on a revision of the screenplay, though in the end Brando directed the film himself and Kubrick did not receive a screen credit. He also worked briefly (again uncredited) on the set of Lewis Gilbert's film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), lighting the supertanker set under condition of anonymity. Day Of The Fight (1951) 16 minutes, black-and-white, 1.37:1. Directed, produced, written, and photographed by Stanley Kubrick. A documentary about boxer Walter Cartier preparing for a match in New York, released as part of RKO's This Is America series (though an alternate version omits the This Is America title). Cartier was the subject of a photo-spread by Kubrick for Look , and was therefore a natural choice for this suitably fast-paced film. Kubrick, who worked uncredited as the film's sound recordist, also appears in the film himself: he can be seen loading his camera at the ringside. Flying Padre (1951) 9 minutes, black-and-white, 1.37:1. Directed by Stanley Kubrick. A documentary about Fred Stadtmuller, released as part of RKO's Pathe Screenliner series. Stadtmuller, a priest from New Mexico who travelled around his parish by aeroplane, is an unusual topic for a Kubrick film, and the subject-matter was presumably imposed on the director rather than chosen by him. Consequently, Flying Padre has little of the kinetic energy Kubrick demonstrated in Day Of The Fight . Though no screen credit is given, Kubrick was the film's writer and cinematographer. The Seafarers (1953) 30 minutes, colour, 1.37:1. Directed and photographed by Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick was commissioned by the Seafarers International Union to produce this promotional documentary, and The Seafarers serves this purpose though it seems much more of a pedestrian exercise than a typically Kubrickian film. It is significant, however, as it was Kubrick's first film in colour. Some versions begin with a few seconds of silent footage from the workprint. Fear And Desire (1953) 68 minutes, black-and-white, 1.37:1. Directed, produced, photographed, edited, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick. An existential drama set during an un-named war, starring Frank Silvera and Paul Mazursky. Fear And Desire was filmed with a skeleton cast and crew of less than ten people, and Kubrick even publicised the film himself (photographing the stars for posters and lobby cards). Kubrick subsequently regarded the film as below his later standards and suppressed its distribution, however there were occasional screenings of archival prints at American film festivals. The film was initially available only as a bootleg video, though a restored version was released after Kubrick's death. Killer's Kiss (1955) 67 minutes, black-and-white, 1.37:1. Directed, co-produced, edited, and photographed by Stanley Kubrick. A Noir thriller whose archetypal plot involves a boxer throwing a rigged fight, starring Jamie Smith and Irene Kane. Killer's Kiss includes a solarised sequence filmed surreptitiously on the streets of New York and a surreal fight in a mannequin factory. Kubrick was photographed on the set by Life magazine in 1954. Despite the ambiguous screen credit 'Story by Stanley Kubrick', Kubrick actually co-wrote the film's screenplay. A scene in which Smith fondles Kane's breasts, which was cut from the film at her request, may have been present in the preview version. The film's original title, Kiss Me Kill Me before general release, though a version with the original title is still extant. The Killing (1956) 85 minutes, black-and-white, 1.66:1. Directed and co-written by Stanley Kubrick. With this drama about a meticulous race-track heist, starring Sterling Hayden and Elisha Cook, Kubrick experimented with a complex, non-linear narrative, constructing a series of inter-connecting flashbacks, confidently alternating between past and present. He produced the film in partnersh |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"What is the more common name of the Peafowl, a species of flying birdbest known for the male's extravagant eye-spotted tail covert feathers?"
] | 1000+ images about Birds - Peacocks on Pinterest | Peacock chair, Peacocks and Feathers Pinterest • The world’s catalog of ideas Birds - Peacocks All Things Peacock - Peafowl are two Asiatic and one African species of flying bird in the genus Pavo of the pheasant family, Phasianidae, best known for the male's extravagant eye-spotted tail covert feathers, which it displays as part of courtship. The male is called a peacock, the female a peahen, and the offspring peachicks. The adult female peafowl is grey and/or brown. Peachicks can be between yellow and a tawny colour with darker brown patches. 1.29k Pins1.3k Followers |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Erected in 1889, this object has become one of the most recognizable structures & the most-visited paid monument in the world?"
] | Paris: Eiffel Tower | Flickr Back to albums list Paris: Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) is an iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, it has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 7.1 million people ascended it in 2011. The third level observatory's upper platform is at 279.11 metres the highest accessible to the public in the European Union. The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010. |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Robert L May created which popular Christmas character in 1939?"
] | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song) | Christmas Specials Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song) 3,653pages on Publisher: St. Nicholas Music "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is a song based on the story of the same name, created by Robert L. May in 1939 as part of his employment with Montgomery Ward . It tells the tale of Rudolph , Santa 's ninth and lead reindeer, who possesses an unusually red-colored nose that gives off its own light (bioluminescence), powerful enough to illuminate the team's path through inclement winter weather. The story is owned by The Rudolph Company, L.P. and has been sold in numerous forms including a popular song, a television special done in stop-motion animation , and a feature film . Character Arts, LLC manages the licensing for the Rudolph Company, L.P. Contents [ show ] Production information Robert L. May created Rudolph in 1939 as an assignment for Montgomery Ward. The retailer had been buying and giving away coloring books for Christmas every year and it was decided that creating their own book would save money. In its first year of publication, 2.4 million copies of Rudolph's story were distributed by Montgomery Ward. The story is written as a poem in the meter of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas . Johnny Marks , May's brother-in-law, decided to adapt his story into a song. Marks (1909–1985), who was Jewish, was a radio producer and wrote several popular Christmas songs. He was born in a New York City suburb and graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., before going off to Paris to study music. He had a heroic World War II combat record, winning the Bronze Star and four battle stars. It was first sung commercially by crooner Harry Brannon on New York city radio in the latter part of 1948 before Gene Autry recorded it formally in 1949, and has since filtered into the popular consciousness. The lyric "All of the other reindeer" can be misheard in dialects with the cot-caught merger as the mondegreen "Olive the other reindeer", and has given rise to another character featured in a Christmas special of her own . Lyrics |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"On Christmas day in 2000, which country officially established a new National Anthem?"
] | Europa - National Anthems National Anthems in Europe In December 2002 Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No.9 was declared a world cultural heritage by UNESCO. Part of this symphony is the Ode to Joy (Ode an die Freude), the music of which is certainly familiar to all of us as the European Anthem . The text of the Ode to Joy was written by Friedrich Schiller. The European Anthem intentionally was first used without any text, in order not to favour one national language over all others. Meanwhile, many texts have been created; a German text was written by an Austrian, Peter Diem! In 2004 another Austrian, Peter Roland, drafted a Latin version of the European Anthem, as he is of the opinion, that Latin is still the lingua franca in Europe. As soon as we had realized, that our knowledge of the national anthems of Europe was more than poor, we tried to find a site which offers information about the most anthems . This site is in German. If you are especially interested in Austria , we can recommend the web site of Styria . There you can find the Austrian national anthem and the anthems of all Austrian provinces . Later we intensified research on the anthems of the new members and the candidate countries, which was a lot more challenging. We found a wonderful site, which contains a lot of information about anthems worldwide . This site, of course, also offers information about all anthems of the EU member states in English. National Anthems Info is another website, where you can listen to numerous anthems. WIKIPEDIA offers a List of National Anthems from all over the world. Here you can now collect information about national anthems in Europe: Austria Land der Berge, Land am Strome (Land of the mountains, land on the river) is the national anthem of Austria. Nineteen days before his death on December 5th, 1791 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his last complete work, the "Freimaurerkantate", KV 623. In parts of the edition of this cantata the "Chain Song", KV 623a, appeared. To this melody the Austrian national anthem is sung. According to newer findings of leading musicologists, this tune was not written by Mozart, but by Johann Holzer , a Freemason Brother of his, and composer of many songs. The lyrics were written by the Austrian poet Paula von Preradovic . In October 1946 it was declared Austria's official national anthem. Belgium The Braban�onne (Song of Brabant ) is the national anthem of Belgium . The anthem has got a Dutch, a French and a German version. According to legend, the Belgian national anthem was written in September 1830, during the Belgian Revolution , by a young revolutionary called Jenneval, who read the lyrics during a meeting at the Aigle d'Or caf�. Jenneval, whose real name was Alexandre Dechet (sometimes known as Louis-Alexandre Dechet), did in fact write the Braban�onne. He was at the time an actor at the theatre where, in August 1830, the revolution started which led to independence from the Netherlands. Jenneval died in the war of independence. Fran�ois Van Campenhout composed the tune. Bulgaria If you are interested, you can also read the Bulgarian text in Cyrillic letters here! The anthem, Mila Rodino (Dear Homeland) has been in useas the national anthem of Bulgaria - interrupted by the communist era - since 1885. It is based on the music and text of the song "Gorda Stara Planina" by Tsvetan Radoslavov , written and composed as he left to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885. The anthem was adopted in 1964. The text has been changed several times, the last change was carried out in 1990. Croatia The lyrics of the anthem were first printed in the Danica (Morning Star) magazine in 1835, under the title Hrvatska domovina (Croatian Homeland). The music was composed in the1840s by Josip Runjanin , a Croatian Serb, on the basis of Gaetano Donizetti's O sole piu ratto from the opera Lucia di Lammermoor . In 1891 the song was first sung as the unofficial national anthem at an exhibition held by the Croatian-Slavonian Economic Society in Zagreb . It was declared the off |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called \"A Visit from St. Nicholas in 1822?"
] | The Mystery Behind the World's Most Famous Christmas Poem | Mental Floss The Mystery Behind the World's Most Famous Christmas Poem Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain Like us on Facebook It's a literary mystery: Nearly 200 years after it was published in New York's Troy Sentinel, we still don't know who really wrote "A Visit from St. Nicholas." When it first appeared in the newspaper on December 23, 1823, there was no name attached to it. It wasn't until 13 years later that Clement Clarke Moore, a professor and poet, was named as the author. A story emerged that a housekeeper had, without Moore’s knowledge, sent the piece—which he had written for his kids—to the newspaper, and in 1844, the poem was officially included in an anthology of Moore's work. The problem? The family of Henry Livingston, Jr., claimed their father had been reciting "A Visit From St. Nicholas" to them for 15 years before it was published. Here's the view from both sides. THE LIVINGSTON ARGUMENT Livingston's Dutch background is a key component in this mystery. His mother was Dutch, and many references in the poem are as well. For example, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" is likely where we got the popular names for Santa's reindeer—there seems to be no reference to their names prior to the poem. A couple of the names have skewed slightly over the years; instead of Donner and Blitzen, the latter two reindeer recited were called "Dunder" and "Blixem," the Dutch words for "Thunder" and "Lightning." (These days, the spellings have changed slightly to "donder" and "bliksem.") According to proponents of this hypothesis, Blixem first became Blixen to better rhyme with Vixen , and then, in 1844, Moore changed it to the more German Blitzen . Dunder would become Donder, and then, in the early 20th century, was changed to Donner to match Blitzen’s new German name. (Clement Moore proponents counter that the original editor of the poem may have altered the names to better fit a pseudo-Dutch framework , and Moore was simply changing them back to the original.) Also piling up in the case against Moore is the fact that at least four of Livingston's children and even a neighbor girl said they remembered Henry telling them the tale of St. Nick as early as 1807. They even said they had evidence—a dated, handwritten copy of the original poem with revisions and scratch marks all throughout. Unfortunately, the house containing this gem burned down, taking the Livingston family's proof with it. When a professor from Vassar analyzed poetry by both authors, he declared that there was virtually no possible way Moore could have written "A Visit from St. Nicholas." According to the professor, the style of the Christmas favorite was completely different—both structurally and content-wise—than anything else Moore had ever written. But the anapestic scheme used matched up with some of Livingston's work perfectly. Earlier this year, a New Zealand professor wrote a book where he tackled this question by applying complex statistical analysis to works by both authors. He found that “if we did not know whether the poems in Moore’s manuscript notebook were by him or by Livingston, our full range of tests would, in combination, categorize every one of them as much more probably Moore’s. In this they contrast sharply with ‘The Night Before Christmas,’ which is consistently associated more closely with Livingston.” But the Moore camp usually argues that these studies are constructed in such a way that they would always discount Moore, especially through ignoring works like “The Pig & The Rooster,” which is anapestic. The Livingston camp dismisses it and another anapestic poem by saying, “If Moore wrote ‘The Night Before Christmas’ he displayed in it a facility that deserted him in his efforts in the same meter both at about the same time and a decade later.” THE MOORE ARGUMENT Aside from the obvious fact that Moore stepped forward to take credit first, one big key seems to be his relationship with Rip Van Winkle author Washington Irving. In Irving's A History of New York, he referred to St. Nick |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which saint's day is also known as Boxing Day?"
] | St. Stephen's Day | holiday | Britannica.com Christianity St. Stephen’s Day, also called Boxing Day, Wren Day, or Constitution Day, one of two holidays widely observed in honour of two Christian saints. In many countries December 26 commemorates the life of St. Stephen , a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who was known for his service to the poor and his status as the first Christian martyr (he was stoned to death in ad 36). In Hungary August 20 is observed in honour of King Stephen of Hungary , who united the country under Christianity in ad 1000 and was canonized in 1083 for his accomplishment. St. Stephen, stained-glass window, 19th century; in St. Mary’s Church, Bury St. Edmunds, Eng. © Ronald Sheridan/Ancient Art & Architecture Collection In the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, the December 26 holiday is commonly known as Boxing Day , which takes its name from the practice of giving small gifts to household servants on that day for their work throughout the year. In Ireland the holiday is sometimes called Wren Day, because in the past a wren would be killed and taken door-to-door by children asking for money in exchange for a wren’s feather, which people believed brought good luck. The tradition of going house-to-house on St. Stephen’s Day survives in many countries, especially in Scandinavia, where the day is observed by visiting friends and going to parties. In Hungary August 20 is celebrated as St. Stephen’s Day in commemoration of when the saint’s relics—held sacred by Hungarian Catholics—were transferred to Buda (now part of Budapest). In 1949 the country’s communist regime promulgated a new constitution on that day with the intent of transforming the Christian-themed holiday into a politically inspired one, which they renamed Constitution Day. Following the collapse of the communist state in Hungary, however, the holiday was again celebrated as St. Stephen’s Day. One ritual entails carrying the case containing the relics of St. Stephen’s right hand in processions throughout the streets of Budapest. More modern festivities include fireworks and parades. Learn More in these related articles: |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"True or False? The German's made the first artificial Christmas tree out of Goose feathers?"
] | 53 Festive Facts about Christmas | FactRetriever.com 53 Festive Facts about Christmas By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer Published September 19, 2016 Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.[8] The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers.[7] Each year more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. alone.[7] All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts.[7] The “true love” mentioned in the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” does not refer to a romantic couple, but the Catholic Church’s code for God. The person who receives the gifts represents someone who has accepted that code. For example, the “partridge in a pear tree” represents Christ. The “two turtledoves” represent the Old and New Testaments.[3] Two weeks before Christmas is a popular time for breakups According to data analyzed from Facebook posts, two weeks before Christmas is one of the two most popular times for couples to break up. However, Christmas Day is the least favorite day for breakups.[12] Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as Blitzen, Comet, and Cupid. However, male reindeers shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female or castrated.[8] In A.D. 350, Pope Julius I, bishop of Rome, proclaimed December 25 the official celebration date for the birthday of Christ.[3] According to the Guinness world records, the tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-foot Douglas fir that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington.[6] The traditional three colors of Christmas are green, red, and gold. Green has long been a symbol of life and rebirth; red symbolizes the blood of Christ, and gold represents light as well as wealth and royalty.[3] Contrary to popular belief, suicide rates during the Christmas holiday are low. The highest rates are during the spring.[11] The world’s largest Christmas stocking measured 106 feet and 9 inches (32.56 m) long and 49 feet and 1 inch (14.97 m) wide. It weighed as much as five reindeer and held almost 1,000 presents. It was made by the Children’s Society in London on December 14, 2007.[6] Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850.[2] Christmas trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.[2] Many European countries believed that spirits, both good and evil, were active during the Twelve Days of Christmas. These spirits eventually evolved into Santa’s elves, especially under the influence of Clement C. Moore’s The Night Before Christmas (1779-1863) illustrated by Thomas Nast (1840-1902).[7] Each year there are approximately 20,000 “rent-a-Santas” across the United States. “Rent-a-Santas” usually undergo seasonal training on how to maintain a jolly attitude under pressure from the public. They also receive practical advice, such as not accepting money from parents while children are looking and avoiding garlic, onions, or beans for lunch.[7] The United States has about 20,000 "rent-a-Santas" per year Bolivians celebrate Misa del Gallo or “Mass of the Rooster” on Christmas Eve. Some people bring roosters to the midnight mass, a gesture that symbolizes the belief that a rooster was the first animal to announce the birth of Jesus.[7] The British wear paper crowns while they eat Christmas dinner. The crowns are stored in a tube called a “Christmas cracker.”[7] In Poland, spiders or spider webs are common Christmas trees decorations because according to legend, a spider wove a blanket for Baby Jesus. In fact, Polish people consider spiders to be symbols of goodness and prosperity at Christmas.[7] Alabama was the first state in the United States to officially recognize Christmas in 1836.[7] Christmas wasn’t declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.[3] Oklahoma was the last U.S. state to declare Christmas a legal holiday, in 1907.[7] Evergreens (from the Old English word aefie meaning “always” and gowan meaning “ |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"True or False? The word mistletoe comes from the gaelic words for kissing girl plant?"
] | Fredarth | The Ramblings of an Old Man The Ramblings of an Old Man Menu Well here it is – the big one same as ever some easy some not so easy and some…… to get the answers simply run the cursor over the space after the question but only after you have tried the question Happy Christmas In what country, the world’s seventh largest by geographical area, is Christmas known as Bada Din (the big day)? India Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean, is a territory of which country? Australia ‘Three Kings Day’ is known by what numerical name (that’s ‘name’, not ‘date’) in Britain?Twelfth Night The North Pole, said to be Santa’s home, is located in which ocean? Arctic Ocean ‘And all the bells on earth shall ring, on Christmas day in the morning…’ is from which Christmas carol? I Saw Three Ships Marzipan is made (conventionally in the western world) mainly from sugar and the flour or meal of which nut? Almond What is the technical name of Mistletoe plant genus, and also Latin for glutinous? Viscum(hence the words viscous and viscosity, referring to semi-solid/semi-liquid and thick sticky substances – derived from the sticky quality of mistletoe berries, and also an early word for birdlime, a sticky substance made from the berries, used to trap birds) Peter Auty sang Walking In The Air in what film? The Snowman Which Christmas condiment is made from fruit sometimes referred to as marshworts? Cranberry sauce Which American-born English poet, having first names Thomas Stearns, wrote the poem The Cultivation Of Christmas Trees? T S Eliot Which Christmas slogan was introduced by Clarissa Baldwin of Dogs Trust in 1978? A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas Which British monarch (born 1865, died 1936) introduced the custom of giving thousands of Christmas puddings to staff? King George V In the UK it is traditionally believed that eating a what each day of the twelve days of Christmas brings happiness the following year: Sausage; Mince pie; Carrot; or Turkey drumstick? Mince pie The fortified wine drink Sherry is named after what town? Jerez (Spain – in Spanish, sherry is called Vino de Jerez) In Coldplay’s 2010 Christmas single video, the Latin phrase Credo Elvem Etiam Vivere (seen above the stage) loosely means what (combining an ironic rock’n’roll myth, with a seasonal sentiment popularised by Greg Lakes’s 1975 Christmas hit – and for two bonus points: name the Greg Lake song, and the Coldplay 2010 Christmas single)? I Believe Elvis Lives (Greg Lake’s song – I Believe In Father Christmas; Coldplay’s 2010 Xmas single – Christmas Lights) What is the surname of the family in the 1989 film ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’? Griswold Who composed the music known as The Nutcracker Suite, for the Christmas themed ballet The Nutcracker, premiered in St Petersburg, 1892? Tchaikovsky Which southern central US state, whose capital city has the same name, was the last to recognize Christmas as an official holiday? Oklahoma In which country, the largest of its continent, is it said that finding a spider web on Christmas morning brings good luck, and so Christmas trees are decorated with artificial spider webs? Ukraine What day of the week was Christmas day in the year 2000 (in the conventional western calendar)? Monday Charles Dickens is said to have considered the names Little Larry and Puny Pete for which character? (Bonus point: in which Dickens novel did the character appear?) Tiny Tim – A Christmas Carol Under which Puritan leader did the English parliament pass a law banning Christmas in 1647? Oliver Cromwell Name the two administrative and ex-colonial regions of China for whom Christmas day (as at 2010) remains a legal public holiday, whereas in the main country it is not? Hong Kong and Macau In which European country is it said that malicious goblins called Kallikantzoroi (or Kallikantzari – singular Kallikantzoros) play troublesome pranks at Christmas? Greece (the name is thought to derive from kalos-kentauros, meaning ‘beautiful centaur’) Very loosely related to Christmas, the predatory animal ‘uncia uncia’ is better known by wha |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which comedy star plays the title character in the film Elf?"
] | Elf (2003) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC Peter Dinklage being eyed for role in both upcoming Avengers movies 12 January 2017 12:30 AM, -08:00 | Flickeringmyth a list of 31 titles created 17 Dec 2011 a list of 25 titles created 13 Nov 2013 a list of 25 titles created 03 Dec 2013 a list of 33 titles created 07 Dec 2013 a list of 23 titles created 21 Dec 2014 Search for " Elf " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. 2 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards » Videos On the outskirts of Whoville, there lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans on ruining the Christmas holiday for all of the citizens of the town. Director: Ron Howard When a man inadvertantly kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Director: John Pasquin An 8-year old troublemaker must protect his home from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. Director: Chris Columbus One year after Kevin was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself in New York City, and the same criminals are not far behind. Director: Chris Columbus A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. Director: Robert Zemeckis In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift. Director: Bob Clark Scott Calvin has been a humble Santa Claus for nearly ten years, but it might come to an end if he doesn't find a Mrs. Claus. Director: Michael Lembeck An animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions. Director: Robert Zemeckis A father vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas, however, every store is sold out of them, and he must travel all over town and compete with everybody else in order to find one. Director: Brian Levant Santa, aka Scott Calvin, is faced with double-duty: how to keep his new family happy, and how to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas. Director: Michael Lembeck A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. Directors: Chuck Jones, Ben Washam Stars: Boris Karloff, Thurl Ravenscroft, June Foray Directors: Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and 1 more credit » Stars: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz Edit Storyline Buddy was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa's sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult human who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs. Hobbs, on Santa's naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter's relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities. Written by Ken Miller <[email protected]> This holiday, discover your inner elf. Genres: Rated PG for some mild rude humor and language | See all certifications » Parents Guide: 7 November 2003 (USA) See more » Also Known As: Elf, el duende See more » Filming Locations: $31,113,501 (USA) (7 November 2003) Gross: Did You Know? Trivia The elf Ming Ming, who appears briefly in the beginning of the film, is played |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which ancient relic was stolen by Scottish Activists from Westminster Abbey and returned to Scotland on Christmas day in 1950?"
] | Stone of Destiny stolen from Westminster Abbey - Belfast Newsletter Stone of Destiny stolen from Westminster Abbey 09:26 Monday 28 December 2009 THERE was much excitement in London on Christmas Day 1950 when it was discovered that the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, had been stolen from its place underneath the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. Despite a nationwide police search on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reported the News Letter, no trace of the ancient and historic stone had been found by police detectives who had been put on the trail of the thieves. The only clues which had been discovered by the searchers were the initials JFS which had been found freshly carved in the gilt of the Coronation Chair. It was believed that the stone had been removed from the abbey by the thieves who had "secreted" themselves in the abbey after the Christmas Eve service. The stone – which weighed 485lb – had been dragged from its position behind the high altar, about 140 feet through the south screen door, round the south transept and out of the Poets' Corner entrance – "the most secluded in the abbey" – the padlock of which had been wrenched off. One of the legs of the Coronation Chair was damaged during the removal of the stone. The front seat board was split and some old iron brackets were wrenched loose. Dust and chips of decayed wood were also left lying it about. Mr Andrew Hislop, the night watchman at the abbey, told reporters how he had discovered that the Stone of Destiny was missing. He said that the relic had been in its usual place when he had made his rounds at 11pm and 12.15am He said: "I first knew that something was wrong when I went to look at the doors in the morning at about 6.15am I found the Poets' Corner door had been burst open and I saw the lock lying on the floor. That door was bombed during the war and the original door is not there; there is only a temporary door with a padlock and staple, and it is the only possible door by which they could have broken into the abbey. "I went straight away to the Henry VII chapel to see if the Battle of Britain silver was all right. I then checked the cross on the High Altar, and was making my way to Edward the Confessor's tomb when I flashed my torch on the Coronation Chair and the stone was gone. "Part of the chair was broken. A strip of wood about two feet of long and an inch or so wide which held the stone in its position underneath the chair was lying on the floor. I went straight away and told Mr William Bishop, the Clerk of the Works, who dialled 999. That was about 6.20am." The Dean of Westminster, Dr Alan C. Don, told newspaper reporters: "The disappearance of the stone is the most devastating thing which could have happened. It is impossible to put a value on it, for it is the most precious relic that we have and we shall never be happy until it is returned to us. "I cannot possibly imagine what motive there could be for removing it from the abbey. It has never been outside the abbey since it was first used. Even during the war it remained with us, but hidden in the abbey." While the search for the stone was continuing throughout Britain Miss Wendy Wood, leader of the Scottish Patriots' Association, was drawing up plans for a campaign to prove that those who had "retrieved" the stone from Westminster Abbey for Scotland could not be charged with theft. Speaking from her cottage at Salen, Argyllshire, she said: "All this talk about thieves is absolute rubbish. The stone was not stolen. It was only retrieved. If someone stole your watch and you got it back, you wouldn't be stealing. You would be taking back what belonged to you. There is no reason at all why there should not be proper rejoicing in Scotland." The Earl of Mansfield, whose family seat was at Scone Palace, said on December 27: "If the Scottish Stone of Destiny is ever brought to Scone Palace, I should be extremely reluctant to hand it over to the English authorities. "It would depend, of course, on who had taken the stone from Westminster Abbey, and I should have to give |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who wrote the poem 'If'?"
] | 'If'by Rudyard Kipling, famous inspirational poems and quotes if - rudyard kipling Rudyard Kipling's inspirational poem - 'If' Rudyard Kipling's (1865-1936) inspirational poem 'If' first appeared in his collection 'Rewards and Fairies' in 1909. The poem 'If' is inspirational, motivational, and a set of rules for 'grown-up' living. Kipling's 'If' contains mottos and maxims for life, and the poem is also a blueprint for personal integrity, behaviour and self-development. 'If' is perhaps even more relevant today than when Kipling wrote it, as an ethos and a personal philosophy. Lines from Kipling's 'If' appear over the player's entrance to Wimbledon's Centre Court - a poignant reflection of the poem's timeless and inspiring quality. The beauty and elegance of 'If' contrasts starkly with Rudyard Kipling's largely tragic and unhappy life. He was starved of love and attention and sent away by his parents; beaten and abused by his foster mother; and a failure at a public school which sought to develop qualities that were completely alien to Kipling. In later life the deaths of two of his children also affected Kipling deeply. Rudyard Kipling achieved fame quickly, based initially on his first stories and poems written in India (he returned there after College), and his great popularity with the British public continued despite subsequent critical reaction to some of his more conservative work, and critical opinion in later years that his poetry was superficial and lacking in depth of meaning. Significantly, Kipling turned down many honours offered to him including a knighthood, Poet Laureate and the Order of Merit, but in 1907 he accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature. Kipling's wide popular appeal survives through other works, notably The Jungle Book (1894) the novel, Kim (1901), and Just So Stories (1902). If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream - and not make dreams your master, If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!" If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"At the end of the novel 'The Day Of The Triffids', on what island do the two sighted protagonists Bill Masen and Josella Payton eventually find refuge?"
] | An Intellectual Mediocrity: The Day Of The Triffids - John Wyndam The Day Of The Triffids - John Wyndam Cover of the first hardback edition. It is funny how things in life transpire isn't it?? I had no longer finished John Wyndam's classic 1951 sci-fi-horror The Day of the Triffids than the 2010 BBC mini-series re-played on telly!! This was quite cool because I got to watch that, then afterwards 1981 Bond film For Your Eyes Only. So it was quite a good night in front of the box! I won't bother with novel/series comparisons. Suffice to say there are differences, but overall it kept the essence of the novel quite well. I first read The Day of the Triffids way back in 1987 as a 17 year old in my last year of high school. For some reason I had a class where I had to read enough books that would equate to reading 1000km of words if they were laid out ( all within the space of six weeks ). Well I breezed that because I read Leon Uris' Exodus which took a great chunk out of the 1000km! I then turned my attention to John Wyndham's classic novel, of which I had wanted to read for some time. Suffice to say I've read it several times since. The last time must have been almost 15 years. So several weeks ago I decided to re-visit this novel and see if my initial impressions of it still stood. I'm sure all of you have read novels many years ago that you have re-read and found them to be different than from the first time round. Time, age, wisdom etc changes things and many novels I didn't like, or understand when younger, are now my first choice of reading material. Heaven forbid I remember the groans at school when we had to read Shakespeare and yet now I love reading the Bard! The Day of the Triffids is a novel that has always frustrated me. In 1987 I loved the first half of it but felt the second rather flat. That is the way it appeared to me in each of my subsequent readings as well. And after my lasted delve into it I still find it a novel that frustrates me. As I always do before writing a review I undertook some web searching on the novel. What I found was that many reviews elsewhere, from both professional and non-professional critics alik,e also comment on the novels unsatisfying second half and ambiguous ending. So what is it about? The Day of the Triffids is a 1951 post-apocalyptic novel written by English science fiction author John Wyndam Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris, more commonly known under his pen name John Wyndam ( thank goodness! ). He wrote numerous novels and short stories, but this is his best known work. The novel is about ' Triffids ', tall aggressive plants with intelligent behaviour that can move about on three legs. They can communicate with each other and have a deadly whip like poisonous sting that enables them to kill and fed on their prey. The novels main protagonist is Bill Masen who has worked with the Triffids ( their oils are superior to conventional vegetable oils and they are cultivated all over the world ). With his background he develops a theory that they were bio-engineered in the USSR and then accidentally released when a plane smuggling their seeds was shot down. The novel opens with Masen in hospital with his eyes bandaged up after Triffid venom was splashed in them. As he convalesces a meteor shower occurs which blinds all who witnessed it ( later on in the novel he theorises that it was a orbiting weapons system that caused the meteor shower after it mal-functioned ). After waking up. and finding a quiet hospital. he unbadages his eyes and finds London's population almost entirely blinded and civilisation collapsing. On the way he meets a sighted novelist Josella Playton who he rescues from a violent blind man who is forcing her to help him. From there the two encounter various groups with differing agendas. Some want to pair up the seeing with the blind and start re-populating the planet through monogamous sex. Whilst others want to abandon the blind to their fate and start colonies of the seeing alone. During this the two are separated and Madsen spends his time trying to find Jos |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which region in the Pacific ocean is also the name of a character in the Dr. Doolittle' stories?"
] | name of a character in the Dr. Doolittle stories | fasab Home Posts tagged 'name of a character in the Dr. Doolittle stories' name of a character in the Dr. Doolittle stories “Fight Against Stupidity And Bureaucracy” . Welcome to another quiz day on the fasab blog. As usual a random selection of questions, some quite difficult, but some that you should find easy enough. When you are done check the answers which are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below – but NO cheating! Enjoy. Q. 1: What is the name of the art form that translated means ‘beauty writing’? . . Q. 2: The Blue Fairy is a kindly figure in which Disney classic? (Now you knows this!) . Q. 3: What is the name of the Spanish soup served cold? . Q. 4: What is the longest poisonous snake in the world? . . Q. 5: Eric Weisz is still believed by some to have made the first successful powered flight in Australia on March 18, 1910. Weisz was better known around the world under which stage name? . . Q. 6: Which region in the Pacific ocean is also the name of a character in the Dr. Doolittle stories? . . Q. 7: What is the name of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery and in which country is it located? (a point for each answer) . Q. 8: Contestants from which three countries have won the most Miss Universe titles? (Take some bonus points if you know how many titles they have won.) . . Q. 9: Which word, used in the world of espionage, stems from John Le Carre’s 1974 novel ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’? . Q. 10: ‘Kristal’ and ‘Krug’ are examples of which wine? . Q. 11: In space an ‘Event Horizon’ surrounds what kind of region? . Q. 12: Who was the first Hollywood actress to appear on a postage stamp? . . Q. 13: When the definition of a desert is ‘an area with an average annual precipitation of less than 250 millimetres per year’; on which continent is the largest desert in the world? . Q. 14: ‘Varig’ is the national airline in which country? . . Q. 15: Name the American artist who uses Campbell’s Soup cans in his pop art? . . Q. 16: What did American POW’s call the Hoa Lo prison camp in North Vietnam? . . Q. 17: Widely used to orient buildings and even furniture, the term ‘Feng shui’, what is the English translation of this term? (Two words.) . Q. 18: Which breed of horse is also the name for a kind of bean? . . Q. 19: Who was the only heavyweight champion to finish his boxing career with a perfect record? (49 wins-0 defeats). . . Q. 20: Which film producer with a vegetable as a last name, was, until his death, involved in most of the James Bond films? > Q. 4: What is the longest poisonous snake in the world? A. 4: The King Cobra. . . Q. 5: Eric Weisz is still believed by some to have made the first successful powered flight in Australia on March 18, 1910. Weisz was better known around the world under which stage name? A. 5: Harry Houdini. . . Q. 6: Which region in the Pacific ocean is also the name of a character in the Dr. Doolittle stories? A. 6: Polynesia. In the series of books, Polynesia is Doctor Dolittle’s parrot. . . Q. 7: What is the name of the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery and in which country is it located? (a point for each answer) A. 7: Old Bushmills Distillery, located at Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. . Q. 8: Contestants from which three countries have won the most Miss Universe titles? (Take some bonus points if you know how many titles they have won.) A. 8: USA (8: 1954, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1980, 1995, 1997, 2012), Venezuela (6: 1979, 1981, 1986, 1996, 2008, 2009), and Puerto Rico (5: 1970, 1985, 1993, 2001, 2006). . . Q. 9: Which word, used in the world of espionage, stems from John Le Carre’s 1974 novel ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’? A. 9: Mole. Q. 11: In space an ‘Event Horizon’ surrounds what kind of region? A. 11: A Black hole. . Q. 12: Who was the first Hollywood actress to appear on a postage stamp? A. 12: Grace Kelly. . . Q. 13: When the definition of a desert is ‘an area with an average annual precipitation of less than 250 millimetres per year’; on which |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which artist is famous for his statue The Thinker'?"
] | The Thinker | Rodin Museum H. 189 cm ; W. 98 cm ; D. 140 cm S.2838 When conceived in 1880 in its original size (approx. 70 cm) as the crowning element of The Gates of Hell , seated on the tympanum , The Thinker was entitled The Poet. He represented Dante, author of the Divine Comedy which had inspired The Gates, leaning forward to observe the circles of Hell, while meditating on his work. The Thinker was therefore initially both a being with a tortured body, almost a damned soul, and a free-thinking man, determined to transcend his suffering through poetry. The pose of this figure owes much to Carpeaux’s Ugolino (1861) and to the seated portrait of Lorenzo de’ Medici carved by Michelangelo (1526-31). While remaining in place on the monumental Gates of Hell, The Thinker was exhibited individually in 1888 and thus became an independent work. Enlarged in 1904, its colossal version proved even more popular: this image of a man lost in thought, but whose powerful body suggests a great capacity for action, has became one of the most celebrated sculptures ever known. Numerous casts exist worldwide, including the one now in the gardens of the Musée Rodin, a gift to the City of Paris installed outside the Panthéon in 1906, and another in the gardens of Rodin’s house in Meudon, on the tomb of the sculptor and his wife. George Bernard Shaw in the Pose of "The Thinker" Rodin, the Monument to Victor Hugo and The Thinker Rodin's "Thinker" in Dr Linde's Garden in Lübeck |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Franz Hals painted his most famous work in 1624; what was it called?"
] | Famous Painters: Frans Hals and The Laughing Cavalier Famous Painters: Frans Hals and The Laughing Cavalier Tweet Frans Hals, along with Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer, were three famous painters who dominated the Golden Age of Dutch Art in the 17th century. Frans Hals, born circa 1581, introduced a vitality and expressivenesss not previously seen in portraiture. Of the 300 or so paintings he created, nearly all are portraits, typically of Haarlem citizens as individuals or in groups. Among his most famous artwork is The Laughing Cavalier, also called The Merry Cavalier. Frans Hals, The Laughing Cavalier. Oil on canvas. 1624. 33 3/4" x 27". The Wallace Collection, London. Here, the courtly soldier epitomizes Baroque gallantry and seemingly flaunts his amorous tendencies - his sleeves are ornately decorated with bees of Cupid and Mercury's winged staff and hat. The intricacy of the embroidery is juxtaposed by Frans Hals' broad, energetic brushwork in the cavalier's black sash. As in most portraits by Frans Hals, a fleeting moment is captured with immediacy. Fast forward three centuries to the 1920s, a time during which the three masters of the Dutch Golden Age were frequently imitated and forged. Noted art historian Cornelis Hofstede de Groot had devoted himself to determining which 17th century Dutch paintings were authentic, and which were created by followers or forgers. In 1924, he published a brief article titled, "Some Recently Discovered Works by Frans Hals", announcing his discovery of The Merry Cavalier. De Groot proclaimed it an authentic Frans Hals painting, after which the work was sold to an auction house. Shortly thereafter, the auction house claimed it a forgery and demanded partial reimbursement of the purchase price. Profoundly offended, De Groot stated that if he was wrong, he'd donate his personal (and sizeable) art collection to Holland's museums, further vowing "never to express another word, either in writing or verbally, about the genuineness of an unknown Frans Hals." The subsequent trial provided incontrovertible proof that De Groot had erred -- although Frans Hals died in 1666, the blue paint in the cavalier's coat was first available in 1826; another blue in the background was made in 1820, while the white in the collar was zinc white, only made after 1781. Furthermore, the canvas was attached to its stretcher with modern, paint-splattered nails, meaning that they were positioned before the painter began. In spite of this data, De Groot was steadfast in his conviction that he'd found an authentic Frans Hals work. Before the trial concluded and a verdict announced, De Groot - contending he was the victim of injustice - purchased Merry Cavalier for himself. The following year, he published a booklet entitled True or False? Eye or Chemistry?. Here he stated that a connoisseur's eye was the best determination of artistic authenticity, adding that scientific analyses were beside the point. "A forger could scarcely imagine a more welcome message", notes Edward Dolnick in The Forger's Spell. If you are engaged by the complexities of art forgery -- in the work themselves and in the mind of the forger -- I strongly recommend Dolnick's work, "a true story of Vermeer, Nazis and the greatest art hoax of the twentieth century". |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Who was the pilot hero of Captain W.E. Johns stories?"
] | Biggles: Pilot and Adventurer | Nudgee College Library Nudgee College Library May 22, 2009 by Martin Kerby - Head of Information Services Long before JK Rowling penned a few stories about a teenage wizard, or Stephanie Meyer decided that a vampire love story might potentially attract a wide audience, generations of schoolboys enjoyed the adventures of fictional characters such as William Brown and John Jennings. The "Just William" series, written by Richard Crompton first appeared in book form in 1922. Eventually Crompton would write 34 books detailing the adventures of his trouble prone protagonist. I was introduced to the series in the late seventies by my father who had read them when he was a child. At about the same time, a school friend introduced me to Anthony Buckeridge’s Jennings series. Buckeridge wrote the first of the series in 1950, with the 23rd and final one appearing in 1994. The series is named for his main character, a teenager at an English boarding school. In some respects the stories are not entirely dissimilar to Harry Potter minus the magic and the female students. But without a doubt my favourite was the Biggles adventure series written by Captain WE Johns, who had been a pilot during World War One. Though he wrote 169 books, it was the 96 he wrote about James Bigglesworth, pilot and adventurer, which brought Johns fame and fortune. The Library has a copy of an omnibus which has four classic Biggles adventures - Biggles Secret Agent, Biggles and the Secret Mission, Biggles Flying Dectective and Biggles in Australia. In the introduction, an un-named author discussed the appeal of the Biggles series: Johns’ expertise helped to put boys of all ages in the pilot’s seat, if only in their mind’s eye, adding an extra element of excitement to his stories, but a Biggles adventure was never solely about soaring through the clouds. Johns was also a master storyteller, taking his hero through almost one hundred books over a period of more than thirty years from 1932 right up to his death in 1968…These characters embodied the spirit of the British fighting man…They were courageous and uncompromising in battle, yet still managed to retain a notion of fair play; they were highly skilled professionals, adept at handling all manner of technical equipment, yet they could improvise ingeniously when all was not going to plan and they were left to survive on their wits alone. Biggles books are now a collector's item, although most of mine were reprints that I bought in various second hand shops. Any student who would like to begin a series large enough to provide many years of reading should look for the Biggles omnibus at F JOH. Edmund Rice Education Australia trading as St Joseph's Nudgee College 2199 Sandgate Road Boondall 4034 | PO Box 130 Virginia 4014 p: (07) 3865 0555 | f: (07) 3865 0500 | e: [email protected] | Privacy Policy |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"Which Scottish golfer (aka Mrs Doubtfire) has won a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, including a streak of seven consecutively from 1993 to 1999?"
] | Colin Montgomerie Interview - Colin Montgomerie Net Worth Colin Montgomerie Interview Read more... Colin Montgomerie Colin Montgomerie Net Worth is $42 Million. Colin Montgomerie is Golfer | Designer. Colin Montgomerie Date of Birth is 1963-06-23. Colin Montgomerie Height is 1.85 m. Colin Montgomerie Weight is 89.811. Colin Montgomerie Country is Glasgow.. Colin Stuart Montgomerie, OBE (born 23... Colin Montgomerie Net Worth is $42 Million. Colin Montgomerie Net Worth is $42 Million. Colin Montgomerie is Golfer | Designer. Colin Montgomerie Date of Birth is 1963-06-23. Colin Montgomerie Height is 1.85 m. Colin Montgomerie Weight is 89.811. Colin Montgomerie Country is Glasgow. Colin Stuart Montgomerie, OBE is a Scottish professional golfer. He has won a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, including a streak of seven consecutively from 1993 to 1999. He has won 31 European Tour events, the most of any British player, placing him fourth on the all time list of golfers with most European Tour victories. He won three consecutive Volvo PGA Championships at Wentworth Club between 1998 to 2000. He has finished runner-up on five occasions in major championships. He has not, to date, won a major title or an official tournament on the PGA Tour in the United States and North America. His career high world ranking is second. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013. In June 2013, after turning 50, Montgomerie joined the Champions Tour, where he plans to play a full schedule and made his debut in the Constellation Senior Players Championship, one of the five senior major championships. Although Scottish by... |
[
"Given a question, retrieve Wikipedia passages that answer the question",
"In which town is the cartoon series 'The Simpsons' based around?"
] | D'Oh! Springfield In 'Simpsons' Was Based On Town In Oregon All Along : The Two-Way : NPR D'Oh! Springfield In 'Simpsons' Was Based On Town In Oregon All Along Embed Embed D'Oh! Springfield In 'Simpsons' Was Based On Town In Oregon All Along D'Oh! Springfield In 'Simpsons' Was Based On Town In Oregon All Along Embed Embed Matt Groening has revealed the location of the real-life home of The Simpsons. AP hide caption toggle caption Matt Groening has revealed the location of the real-life home of The Simpsons. AP Ay Caramba! Simpsons creator Matt Groening has revealed the location of the real Springfield: It's in Oregon. In an interview with Smithsonian magazine , posted online Tuesday, Groening credits the name to the hit TV show Father Knows Best. The show "took place in the town of Springfield, and I was thrilled because I imagined that it was the town next to Portland, my hometown," he says. "When I grew up, I realized it was just a fictitious name. I also figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, 'This will be cool; everyone will think it's their Springfield.' And they do." The topic of Springfield's real location has much discussion among fans of the show, which has been on the air for more than 20 years. "I don't want to ruin it for people, you know?" Groening says. "Whenever people say it's Springfield, Ohio, or Springfield, Massachusetts, or Springfield, wherever, I always go, 'Yup, that's right.'" Article continues after sponsorship But The Associated Press says Groening said he has long given fake answers about the Simpsons' hometown, leaving open the possibility the revelation to Smithsonian magazine itself is fake. According to the AP: The show has made a running joke of hiding the true Springfield's location. In one episode, daughter Lisa points to Springfield on a map, but the animated "camera view" is blocked by son Bart's head. But there should have been plenty of clues that the characters on the Simpsons were drawn from Groening's own childhood. The names of many characters on the show — Flanders, Kearney, Lovejoy — correspond to street names in Portland, Ore. Indeed, Groening says his goal was to "name every character after streets in Portland, but we were in a hurry so I dropped the idea." Another clue: The Simpsons live on Evergreen Terrace – also the name of the street the Groenings lived on. And, of course, Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie are named after Groening's parents and sisters, respectively. The town of Springfield, Ore., had already claimed the show as its own. When Niel Laudati, the community relations manager for Springfield, Ore., was told about Groening's announcement, he told the AP: "Oh, OK, we knew that." The town's Facebook page features a signed plaque from Groening when he visited the town before The Simpsons Movie was released in 2007. "Yo to Springfield Oregon – The Real Springfield!" the plaque reads. It's signed: "Your pal, Matt Groening Proud Oregonian! 2007." No clues yet as to the location of Shelbyville. |
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